Washington Redskins vs. Houston Texans: What Experts Say About Washington

NFL experts are leaning toward the Washington Redskins beginning their 2014 season with a road win over the Houston Texans.

Clearly, there is a belief among many that general manager Bruce Allen and new head coach Jay Gruden have sufficiently restocked this team with playmakers. That's a view with plenty of evidence to endorse it on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, new wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts will finally give record-breaker Pierre Garcon some credible support. So will the continued development of potential star tight end Jordan Reed.

Richard Lipski/Associated Press

Provided struggling quarterback Robert Griffin III can get it together, this passing game could be one of the league's best. Combined with the effective running of two-time 1,000-yard rusher Alfred Morris, Washington should boast a particularly prolific offense.

The chances of a defensive surge hinge on new pass-rushers—veteran Jason Hatcher and rookie Trent Murphy. If they can increase the pressure up front, it should mask the weaknesses of a threadbare secondary.

But even with these improvements, the Texans will provide a stern test. Their defense, now run by longtime 3-4 guru Romeo Crennel, could be particularly tough.

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The pass-rush combination of end J.J. Watt and rookie rush linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is likely already giving quarterbacks a few sleepless nights. As for the offense, running back Arian Foster and wide receivers Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins can put points on any defense.

However, like the Redskins, the Texans have a major question mark at quarterback. The team's ability to rally from last season's 2-14 collapse will rest on the arm of uninspiring veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.

With all of these factors in mind, here's a breakdown of who the experts are picking to win the Week 1 matchup between the teams with last season's worst records:

Expert	Site	Pick
Elliot Harrison	NFL.com	Washington
Kevin Patra	NFL.com	Washington
Pete Prisco	CBS Sports	Washington
Will Brinson	CBS Sports	Washington
Adam Schefter	ESPN	Houston
Michael David Smith	PFT NBC Sports	Houston
Mike Florio	PFT NBC Sports	Houston

CBS Sports writer Will Brinson, along with ESPN's Adam Schefter, don't provide analysis and simply offer their picks. However, Brinson's fellow CBS scribe Pete Prisco makes it clear why he's picking Washington.

Prisco anticipates Griffin will rebound from his lackluster preseason form. He also believes that Gruden will open up the playbook in his first regular-season outing. Prisco feels the Washington offense will have too much for the front-heavy Texans defense.

His view is contrasted by ProFootballTalk's Michael David Smith. He believes the Houston pass rush will reign supreme: "J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney will be chasing Robert Griffin III all over the field, and the Texans will get off to a 1-0 start after losing their last 14 games in 2013."

It's interesting that both writers put the onus on Griffin's performance. Expect that to be a weekly theme this season. This team can enjoy a quick and strong turnaround, but only if Griffin refines his game as a passer.

The theme is echoed by NFL.com reporter Kevin Patra. He makes Griffin's ability to take advantage of his new weapons the central aspect of his preview:

"

Out of the gate, the DeSean Jackson-effect should be fun to track. His speed demands attention, which should open up better looks for Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed, et al. But Robert Griffin III must be better from the pocket for that effect to make a difference.

"

That paragraph nicely sums up the key dilemma facing Gruden this season. Jackson, Garcon, Reed and Roberts are as good a quartet of pass-catchers as there is in the NFL.

Involving them all as much as their respective talents merit is going to be difficult. In fact, it might even be impossible.

But the bigger issue is Griffin's ability to find them. He has made working on his game from the pocket the priority this offseason.

That's certainly a sensible start. However, actual improvement will only be evidenced by smarter reads, faster decisions, a quicker release and greater accuracy.

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Griffin's got the arm strength and throwing motion to improve his overall numbers. But it will be the mental aspect that really determines his season. If he masters reading defenses and spreading the ball around, this offense will be lethal, as all of its weapons flourish.

However, it's not just Griffin who could determine the Redskins' fate. Gruden will want to use Morris considering his dominance on the ground.

But leaning on a run-first system could also leave the star-studded receiving corps to rot. It's going to be a difficult balancing act for Gruden the play-caller. How he approaches it amid the pressure of his first game in charge will be fascinating viewing.

Ultimately though, the style of the offense will be determined by what Griffin can and can't do. On that note, NFL.com NFL Media analyst Elliot Harrison puts the spotlight back on the third-year quarterback:

"

Washington wins a close game in Houston determined by a couple of key Ryan Fitzpatrick turnovers. The Texans need to run the football early and often -- how well they'll be able to do that depends on the Redskins' front seven, which can rush the passer but probably won't be as effective against the run this season. If I were Houston, I'd punish Robert Griffin III until he learns how to slide. Then again, backup Kirk Cousins might get into the game before that happens ... which would make Washington a better team. Nah, better to just let RGIII tackle himself.

"

For Harrison, the jury isn't still out on Griffin, as much as it's already delivered its verdict. It's a pretty damning one at that.

The idea of starting Cousins isn't wholly without merit and might even be unavoidable this season. As a natural pocket-based passer, 2012's fourth-round pick could eventually be a better fit for Gruden's read-option-less offense.

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

However, given the investment this franchise has made in Griffin, talk of Cousins is going to remain empty. At least for a while.

The best part of Harrison's prediction is the idea of the Washington pass rush dominating. That's a decent bet, although it may rely on the health of Brian Orakpo.

The outside linebacker has been nursing a sprained ankle, but he remains confident about playing in his native Texas, per ESPN.com Redskins reporter John Keim. Even without Orakpo, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett will be able to unleash Hatcher, Murphy and Ryan Kerrigan.

Harrison was also wise to provide a note of caution about the run defense. Washington allowed opposing runners to average four yards per carry last season.

That has to improve immediately with Foster still capable of amassing yards against any defense. Nose tackle Barry Cofield has to create a stronger push inside, along with Chris Baker, to let the linebackers track down Foster.

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Like the Redskins, the Texans are in pure rebuilding mode. However, that shouldn't lead to them being underestimated.

Crennel will shape a tough defense that will certainly try to take the deep ball away from Griffin and force him to make reads underneath. It would also be a big mistake to assume the Houston offense is in disarray just because Fitzpatrick is under center.

Foster, Johnson and Hopkins are all legitimate threats. So is underrated tight end Garrett Graham. Looking past these weapons would all but guarantee defeat for Washington.

Taking some shots to loosen up Crennel's defense, while being aggressive enough to attack Fitzpatrick, are the best ways for Gruden to start with a win.