2011 NFL Predictions: Take the Under on 6.5 Wins for the Washington Redskins

By (Correspondent) on August 9, 2011

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LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan makes a point with a referee in the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14.  (Phot
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Bodog.com is supposedly a big gambling website. It's not hard to see why, with some of the lines they put on their NFL team prop bets. It's time to put the site out of business by betting the under for their line on the Washington Redskins, a team that plays in the very difficult NFC East.

If the team misses the playoffs, it likely won't be due to the schedule; the Redskins have 11 games against teams that missed the playoffs last season.

Here are the top five reasons why the Redskins, unfortunately, won't reach seven wins in 2011.

5: Skill Position Players

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11:  Donte' Stallworth #18 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Washington has the worst skill position players in the entire NFL, and it's not hard to see that when looking at the roster.

Not getting Santonio Holmes was a blow, even though many fans are sick of big-money free-agent signings.

Maybe Leonard Hankerson, a third-round draft pick, will evolve into a good receiver, but Donte' Stallworth will not work for right now. Re-signing Santana Moss was a must, and he ranks on the lower end of the list of number one receivers anyway.

4: Donovan McNabb Managed Just Six Wins Last Season

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass against the New York Giants on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 31-7.  (Photo by
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Donovan McNabb isn't the hardest worker, which head coach Mike Shanahan will attest to, but he can be said to be a better quarterback than John Beck or Rex Grossman.

The skill position players for Washington are terrible and, while McNabb was consistently bad last season, he still presented the threat of a deep pass, but small receivers can't make a play on the ball with a poor pass.

If a veteran quarterback who played in the division for 11 seasons can't manage single-digit losses, I doubt the other two options can.

3: Defensive Issues

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21:  Brian Orakpo #98 of the Washington Redskins forces Jared Cook #89 of the Tennessee Titans out-of-bounds at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redskins won 19-16 in overtime.  (Photo by Grant Halverson/
Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Washington's defense has respected veterans, like London Fletcher and DeAngelo Hall, that make plays, but they are not enough against good passing offenses like the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.

The defense won't fail the team, but they won't be able to make up for the poor offense with a bend-but-don't-break style that remains despite switching to a 3-4.

Brian Orakpo can get to quarterbacks, but will Ryan Kerrigan do the same with consistency in year one? At least Kerrigan's effort will be there.

2: Andrew Luck

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03:  Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal throws a pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Would Shanahan possibly seek out a better passer for his helpless team, losing games so he can get the Stanford quarterback? The team has to be sure of getting the number one pick if that's the case.

Getting Andrew Luck would mean Shanahan stays around much longer to help the quarterback develop. The Redskins would have the youngest quarterback in the NFC East, by far, and they could rule the division down the road with their future quarterback and left tackle already in place.

All the talk about the 2012 draft is premature, though, to say the least.

1: Offensive Line Woes

ASHBURN, VA - JULY 29:  Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the first day of training camp at Redskins Park on July 29, 2011 in Ashburn, Virginia.  (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

The team had a poor offensive line last season, and they haven't upgraded in the offseason. The starting quarterback this season will get rid of the ball quicker, and with more accuracy, in the short passing game than McNabb.

However, the division has good pass rushers, and the Eagles just added Jason Babin. Washington will want to be conservative and run the ball, but the weakest part of the line is in the middle.

Trent Williams's work ethic was questioned coming into the 2010 NFL Draft, but he better be in shape for the season, because inexperienced quarterback play doesn't blend well with bad blocking against Trent Cole and others.

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