2015 Washington Redskins Schedule: Full Listing of Dates, Times and TV Info

The Washington Redskins appear to have a long trek in ascending back to NFC East relevancy.

All three of Washington's divisional rivals figure to field strong teams in 2015 while plenty of questions remain in the nation's capital. Despite some savvy free-agent moves, the situation under center with Robert Griffin III is rather unstable.

Coach Jay Gruden is entering his second season and needs to prove something after going 4-12 in his maiden campaign at the helm. Whether he has the roster talent or quality quarterback play to do so remains to be seen.

Below is a look at Washington's freshly released 2015 schedule from NFL.com followed by more detailed analysis on the team and a brief writeup on its most important games on the schedule.

Week	Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	TV
1	Sunday, Sept. 13	vs. Miami Dolphins	1 p.m.	CBS
2	Sunday, Sept. 20	vs. St. Louis Rams	1 p.m.	Fox
3	Thursday, Sept. 24	at New York Giants	8:25 p.m.	CBS, NFL Network
4	Sunday, Oct. 4	vs. Philadelphia Eagles	1 p.m.	Fox
5	Sunday, Oct. 11	at Atlanta Falcons	1 p.m.	Fox
6	Sunday, Oct. 18	at New York Jets	1 p.m.	Fox
7	Sunday, Oct. 25	vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1 p.m.	Fox
8	—	BYE
9	Sunday, Nov. 8	at New England Patriots	1 p.m.	Fox
10	Sunday, Nov. 15	vs. New Orleans Saints	1 p.m.	Fox
11	Sunday, Nov. 22	at Carolina Panthers	1 p.m.	Fox
12	Sunday, Nov. 29	vs. New York Giants	1 p.m.	Fox
13	Monday, Dec. 7	vs. Dallas Cowboys	8:30 p.m.	ESPN
14	Sunday, Dec. 13	at Chicago Bears	1 p.m.	Fox
15	Sunday, Dec. 20	vs. Buffalo Bills	1 p.m.	CBS
16	Saturday, Dec. 26	at Philadelphia Eagles	8:25 p.m.	NFL Network
17	Sunday, Jan. 3	at Dallas Cowboys	1 p.m.	Fox

Analysis

Even with three decently viable QBs on the roster in Griffin, Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy, Washington holds the fifth overall pick in the draft and could take a signal-caller.

While that leaves a fair amount of uncertainty, at least the Redskins can bank on Alfred Morris in the backfield. The former sixth-round pick has strung together three 1,000-yard seasons to start his career.

If the defense shows marginal improvement after giving up the third most points in the NFL, Morris' running prowess and perhaps a few gains from Griffin on the ground can keep Washington close to its opponents.

Nose tackle Terrance Knighton is a big help in multiple senses. The 331-pound behemoth is a monster run-stopper and commands a double-team, which will free up Washington's pass-rushers to pressure the opposing passer.

Knighton isn't shying away from gaudy expectations either, as he explained in an offseason interview after signing with Washington, per Redskins.com's Andrew Walker:

"

During the year, guys will definitely be prepared – I'll keep guys prepared. I played with a lot of different leaders. I played with Champ Bailey who played here once, played with Peyton Manning. So, I've seen different types of leadership, and it rubbed off on myself. I was captain last year in Denver, so I plan to bring my leadership to this team and get this defense to the top of the league. I breathe football. That's all I talk about.

"

Leadership is something Washington needs with an unproven head coach at the helm and a prospective starting quarterback in Griffin who has regressed since his electric 2012 rookie year.

The more Knighton and Co. can do up front, the easier everyone's job will be. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall is coming off of a twice-torn Achilles, which leaves the secondary a bit short-handed.

Washington acquired Dashon Goldson through a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so the defensive backfield will benefit from his presence. The question is whether it'll be enough to considerably upgrade a pass defense that was 24th in 2014.

Pivotal Matchups

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

As is implicit in the introduction of this schedule story, the NFC East games loom large for Washington.

Jason Garrett grabbed America's Team by the horns in guiding Dallas to the division title last season. Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly is firmly entrenched as the boss in his city, while New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin has two Super Bowl rings to show off.

There's a disparity between them and Gruden, who must show he can outfox his capable rival counterparts with perhaps the division's weakest roster.

A trio of road games will present huge hurdles for Washington when it travels to take on the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Defeating the latter team could be a huge confidence boost, while the Panthers' stout defense will be a measuring stick for whoever is playing quarterback.

The Falcons have been down for two years but figure to improve defensively and have an enhanced rushing attack with new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in the fold. Shanahan called the shots during Griffin's rookie year when Washington won the division, so he'll have some inside knowledge on RG3's tendencies.

Atlanta coach Dan Quinn was defensive coordinator in Seattle most recently and saw a successful, dual-threat QB in Russell Wilson up close every day, which will make Griffin's job even harder.

In what's already going to be an uphill battle, the 2015 schedule release offers little solace for Redskins fans feeling a bit nervy about the near future. It looks like at least another year before Washington can fathom a return to the playoffs, which will likely result in a record in the range of 5-11.