2009 Washington Redskins NFL Football Predictions

2009 Washington Redskins Predictions
Preview courtesy of Ted Sevransky, An award-winning professional football handicapper featured on Touthouse.com. If you are interested in football betting this season, be sure to buy Ted Sevransky’s football picks at Touthouse.com

Overview:
The Redskins certainly haven’t been bottom feeders in recent years, but they’ve defined the word ‘mediocre’. Over the last four seasons, Washington sits right at .500 with a 32-32 record, including 8-8 last year. No surprise, then, that the betting marketplace is viewing the Redskins as a mediocre team again in 2009, lined at 8 or 8.5 wins, depending on the sportsbook.

In a division with three teams that many consider to be Super Bowl contenders, the Redskins face an uphill battle to get out of the NFC East cellar. Since their 10 win, Wild Card berth season in 2005, Washington hasn’t finished higher than third place in the four team division.

Offense:
The Redskins traded up in the draft to nab Jason Campbell late in the first round of the 2005 draft. After two years of mediocrity, Campbell was better than the pundits seem to appreciate last year. He avoided mistakes, throwing only six interceptions in 506 pass attempts while starting all 16 games. His 62.3 completion percentage and 84.3 quarterback rating were both ‘middle of the pack’ numbers, not bad for a team sorely lacking in wide receiving talent and offensive line protection.

After rumblings of a potential quarterback change filtered into the media this offseason, head coach Jim Zorn expressed confidence in Campbell as the long term starter here. Neither the aging Todd Collins nor the prospect Colt Brennan are in position to make a serious run at the job in training camp.

Clinton Portis is only 27 years old, but he’s got more than 2000 career carries under his belt, including 667 over the past two years. His production declined down the stretch last year; a sign of wearing down. The receiving corps with veterans Santana Moss and Antwan Randle El is mediocre at best, unless the ‘Skins can start to get steady production from last year’s draft choices Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly. Four of Washington’s five offensive line starters are on the wrong side of 30, and injuries have plagued this unit in recent years, although the addition of 370 pound tackle Mike Williams from Buffalo could help.

Defense:
The Redskins ‘D’ was a playoff caliber unit last year. They finished fourth in the NFL in total yards allowed (eighth against the run, sixth against the pass) and sixth in points allowed. Still, the Redskins biggest offseason moves involved defensive upgrades, particularly on the line. Owner Daniel Snyder opened his checkbook, giving troubled but enormously talented Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth the single biggest free agent contract off the offseason.

The Redskins also drafted DE Brian Orakpo out of Texas with their first round choice to bolster their pass rush. The linebacking corps is solid, with London Fletcher playing at a pro bowl level last season. And Washington’s secondary is a strong unit, led by cornerbacks Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall and safety Laron Landry.

Schedule:
The Redskins played nine ‘tough’ games last year against teams in the top third of the league. They beat the Saints, Cardinals, Cowboys and Eagles (twice), but a 2-6 finish turned a promising start into a disappointing conclusion. In his second year at the helm, head coach Jim Zorn won’t have it quite as tough schedule-wise this year, as the NFC East gets to face the weak AFC West along with the NFC South, providing very winnable games against the likes of the Raiders, Chiefs, Broncos and Bucs. In addition, early season games against the lowly Rams and Lions give Washington a solid opportunity to get off to another good start in ’09.