Redskins Have a Window to Save Their Season, Starting Sunday in Jacksonville

Dating back to last November, the Washington Redskins have now lost nine consecutive games. In three of those nine losses, they were held to exactly six points. Four of them were lost by double-digit margins. 

But because only one of those losses has taken place in 2014, there's still hope for the Redskins this season. That's especially the case when you consider how weak the NFC East looks at the moment, as well as the fact Washington's last-place schedule could make things easier in what could become a season-long showdown with the defending division champion Philadelphia Eagles. 

The way things are shaping up early this year, the 'Skins might actually have a very important window this month, starting Sunday in their home opener with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Going up against a tough defensive front like Houston's on the road in the season opener was never supposed to be an easy task. But history indicates you merely have to be competent to defeat the lowly Jaguars, who have lost 27 of 33 games since the start of 2012 and were outscored 34-0 by a limping Eagles team during the second half of their season opener. 

If Washington can take care of business against an inferior opponent at home, the Redskins could find themselves tied with the Eagles heading into a Week 3 matchup with a Philadelphia team that is ripe for picking.

As of Thursday afternoon, the Eagles were a 2.5-point underdog for what could be a very difficult Monday night clash with the Indianapolis Colts, according to Odds Shark. They're expected to lose that matchup, due at least partially to the fact their highly touted offensive line has been ravaged. 

For at least the next three weeks, the Eagles will be without 2013 first-round pick Lane Johnson at right tackle (suspension), 2013 All-Pro Evan Mathis at left guard (short-term injured reserve) and reliable swing tackle Allen Barbre (out for the year). They aren't exactly deep at that position, so adjusting won't be easy. 

What's more, Philly will be on short rest when the Redskins come to town for that Week 3 matchup. 

With the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants already entering emergency mode after double-digit Week 1 losses and in tough this week with Tennessee and Arizona—both of whom are coming off impressive season-opening victories—Washington truly has a chance right now to leap ahead of the division before the schedule begins to toughen up in October (they play the Seahawks, Cardinals and Titans to kick off the second month of the season). 

They also get the Giants at home in Week 4 on a Thursday night. Usually, those games are particularly hard on the road teams. So there's little reason to believe Washington can't break from September with a 3-1 record and in first place in the league's worst division.

Week	Opponent	Notes
Week 2	Jaguars	Jacksonville has lost 27 of last 33 games overall.
Week 3	Eagles	Philly will be on short rest, missing 3 of top 6 o-linemen.
Week 4	Giants	NY already struggling, will be on 3 days' rest on the road.

Too optimistic regarding a team that lost 17-6 on Sunday to an opponent that won just two games last season? Maybe not. With All-Planet defensive end J.J. Watt leading Houston's jacked-up defensive front, that was never a good matchup for quarterback Robert Griffin III and his shaky group of pass protectors, especially on the road. 

And yet, that was a game Washington still probably should have won. Turnovers are part of the game, but they're somewhat fluky too, especially when we're talking about fumbles. And if the 'Skins don't fumble twice inside Houston's 10-yard line, there's a good chance they win that football game. 

Aside from some tough breaks, the execution was there last week. Griffin completed 78 percent of his 37 passes, albeit with an overly conservative game plan. But the 'Skins were taking what the Texans were giving them, because Houston defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel had his secondary give Washington's speedy receiving corps extra pad all day. 

NFL Game Pass

NFL Game Pass

NFL Game Pass

Jacksonville might have had five sacks last week against the Eagles, but the Jags still had a league-low 31 sacks last season. Even if they're improved up front this year, there's no way they can push around Washington the way Houston did. 

That should give Griffin more time to allow his receivers to get open on longer routes, which is something this offense did well even before adding Pro Bowler DeSean Jackson. 

Time to let loose and give RGIII a chance to utilize that missile attached to his right shoulder. Only seven of his 37 passes last week cleared 10 yards, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), but that should change against the Jaguars. 

Griffin knows it, per Mike Jones of the Washington Post:

"

When you have weapons like Pierre and DeSean and Andre, these guys can really go deep down the field. You want to get them opportunities and we had a couple in the game. We just didn’t come down with them. Yeah, we have got to find ways to open those guys up more down the field. Don’t think that’s any secret. You want to be able to be efficient and hit the underneath stuff, but you also have to get those home-run shots in every now and then. We’ll work on getting that.

"

Strangely, the defense is less of a concern. The Jaguars are still becoming acclimated to a new-look offensive line and it's not as though Chad Henne and his receiving corps inspire fear.

Washington will miss veteran defensive tackle Barry Cofield, who has been placed on short-term injured reserve due to an ankle injury, per Zac Boyer of the Washington Times, but backup Chris Baker has plenty of experience and posted a positive PFF grade on 36 Week 1 snaps. 

Plus, new defensive end Jason Hatcher has been a beast thus far, which is why they were able to limit Houston to 17 points despite not having Cofield for the majority of the afternoon.

That performance was just a continuation of what they did throughout the preseason. Now, if Pro Bowl-caliber outside linebackers Brian Orapko and Ryan Kerrigan can get the pass rush going, they could dominate sans Cofield Sunday. 

That would provide quite the boost while making things a lot easier on an in-flux offensive unit that won't have tight end Jordan Reed. 

By no means is a Week 2 matchup with a mediocre, out-of-conference opponent a "must win," but this game presents a huge opportunity for a struggling team to regain some much-needed confidence while also taking a major step ahead in the divisional standings. 

Brad Gagnon has covered the NFC East for Bleacher Report since 2012.

Follow @Brad_Gagnon