Washington Redskins 2015 Schedule: Win-Loss Predictions for Every Game
There are some familiar faces on the Washington Redskins schedule for 2015, per NFL.com. Some will conjure up recent, painful memories, some will make fans in D.C. wonder what might've been.
Expect the latter in Week 1 when the quarterback Washington might've drafted ahead of Robert Griffin III in 2012, comes to town. That will be followed by the return of a team that inflicted the most humiliating loss of the Redskins' season in 2014, the same team that got all those picks in 2012.
Week 6 should be interesting when Jay Gruden is standing across from the head coach Washington probably should've hired instead of him. Even that may be a better experience for Gruden than the trip to take on the defending Super Bowl champions two weeks later.
Find out how successfully, or otherwise, the revamped Redskins will navigate this season's schedule.
Week 1: Home vs. Miami Dolphins
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Remember when the Redskins traded away the farm to move from No. 6 to No. 2 just to select Robert Griffin III in the 2012 NFL draft? Well, if the team had just stood still it could have landed Ryan Tannehill instead.
That would have meant acquiring a quarterback already schooled in a pro-style offense. He's also a quarterback who's steadily improved his numbers every season he's been in the league.
Of course, that's just one side of the coin for Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins. The flip-side says the AFC East club has yet to go to the playoffs with Tannehill under center.
It's this barren spell that's prompted major moves this offseason, most notably paying a king's ransom for defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The Dolphins are in win-now mode and will arrive at FedEx Field under no small amount of pressure.
Speaking of pressure, it will be the job of Washington's refreshed defensive line to see Tannehill is kept under duress in the pocket. Tackles Jason Hatcher, Stephen Paea and Ricky Jean Francois all need to be active and disruptive. It would also be a good idea for new defensive coordinator Joe Barry to move sack specialist Ryan Kerrigan around to target both sides of a generally suspect Miami offensive line.
If Tannehill isn't made uncomfortable, then the quarterback who threw for 27 touchdowns and 4,045 yards in 2014 will pick Washington's new-look secondary apart.
Those numbers are like the stuff dreams are made of for the Redskins' quarterback rotation. But while pressure on Tannehill is important, keeping Griffin clean in the pocket will be essential in Week 1.
The Dolphins won't make that easy. Suh's presence alone is enough to wreck a blocking scheme. But his combination with premier rush end Cameron Wake is the stuff nightmares are made of.
Worst still, the Wake-Suh combination isn't the only one-two punch the Redskins should be wary of. ESPN's James Walker spelled out just how daunting the Dolphins' D-line looks ahead of the new season:
"#Dolphins' new front four on D-line: DE Cam Wake, DT Ndamukong Suh, DT Earl Mitchell and DE Olivier Vernon. That's a VERY formidable group."
It won't take many snaps against that front before you start wishing general manager Scot McCloughan had spent some free-agency dollars retooling Washington's woeful offensive line.
The pregame hype will focus on the quarterback comparison. But this one seems like a defensive struggle in the making.
With Terrance Knighton anchoring their new front, the Redskins can shut down a porous Miami ground game. That will put the onus on a more explosive line getting to Tannehill. If they do it consistently, Washington can escape this daunting opening game with a narrow win.
Prediction: Dolphins 14-17 Redskins
Week 2: Home vs. St. Louis Rams
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If the Dolphins leave you longing for the days of the Hogs, imagine how you're going to feel when the St. Louis Rams come to town. The NFC West outfit owns perhaps the most talented defensive line in football.
It's a front four bookended by stellar ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long. Inside, Aaron Donald and new arrival Nick Fairley will be a no-go area for running backs.
Factor in rotational talent such as end William Hayes and tackle Michael Brockers, and the Rams boast a true embarrassment of riches up front. Not that the Redskins need a reminder.
After all, it was the Rams who came to town in Week 14 last season and shut out Washington 24-0, largely on the strength of a sack-happy defense. The Rams logged seven sacks that day with 4.5 coming from the D-line.
But if the group in front of Griffin is even a little more solid this year, there's reason to believe things could be different this time. Despite a wealth of talent up front, the St. Louis defense still ranked 17th in both points and yards last season, including individual rankings of 19th against the pass and 14th standing up to the run.
So the message is clear: Control the front four and opportunities for big plays will come your way. Head coach Jay Gruden and offensive coordinator Sean McVay's best bet for controlling things will be utilizing short, quick passes to players in space.
That means hitting "move" tight ends Jordan Reed and Niles Paul from multiple positions. It also means getting possession-style receivers Andre Roberts and Ryan Grant more involved, as well as fullback Darrel Young.
Slowing down the rush will help Washington control the clock. That's the right tactic against a Rams offense not built to gobble up chunks of the field in quick time, even after the arrival of strong-armed quarterback Nick Foles.
The biggest challenge for Washington's defense will be keeping tight end Jared Cook, a genuine big-play threat, quiet. Shackling tight ends proved a major issue for the Redskins in 2014.
But greater pressure up front should reduce the number of seconds inside linebackers Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley Jr. have to spend in coverage.
The smart money should be on expecting another tight, defensive battle here. Only this time, the Redskins will eliminate their negative plays enough to snatch another W and seal a surprise 2-0 start.
Prediction: Rams 13-19 Redskins
Week 3: At New York Giants
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Remember Washington's 2011 season? It's OK if you can't, or don't want to.
After all, reminiscing about Rex Grossman starting at quarterback and a 5-11 finish is probably the worst way to pass the idle hours.
But the 2011 campaign does stand out for one reason. It featured a rare Redskins' double over the New York Giants.
Sadly, those two wins were merely a blip in an otherwise lengthy run of getting stepped on by Big Blue. It was a pattern that continued last season.
Unfortunately, Week 3 of the new season won't be the cue to turn the clock back and party like it's 1999, the year Washington smashed the Giants 50-21 at the old Meadowlands.
The current Redskins have the offensive weapons for a similar points explosion but lack the quarterback to make it happen. Continuing problems under center will be a recipe for disaster against a New York defense that still boasts a strong pass rush.
More importantly, with Steven Spagnuolo back running the defense, expect plenty of fire-zone-style blitz pressures sure to confuse Griffin and the blocking in front of him.
The can't-miss matchup will be between Washington cornerback Bashaud Breeland and Giants wideout Odell Beckham Jr. Both were members of 2014's draft class who made positive first impressions on the pros as rookies, even though Beckham's breakout was a little more spectacular.
It's the receiver who will win the first chapter of this duel on home soil, in the process helping the G-men to an important divisional win.
Prediction: Redskins 17-27 Giants
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Week 4: Home vs. Philadelphia Eagles
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It's pointless trying to say something new about the Philadelphia Eagles tumultuous offseason. But the visit of the team that's been a gossip columnist's dream in 2015 won't be about Tim Tebow.
It also won't be about Sam Bradford. It won't even about just what exactly Chip Kelly is really thinking.
When the Eagles come to town in Week 4, only one issue should dominate the agenda. Can Knighton and company stop DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews?
The Redskins gave Knighton, all 331 pounds, and the rest, of him, a contract specifically to stuff the run. It's what the player dubbed "Pot Roast" has made his speciality.
But tormenting defenses on the ground is Murray and Mathews' forte. Both are quick, shifty, powerful and decisive.
Not many teams will find it easy corralling this duo. The Redskins will be no exception in Week 4 when the Eagles will lean on the run to eventually blow open what will start out a close game.
Tough running from both Murray and Mathews will open up passing lanes for dangerous wide receiver Jordan Matthews and prolific tight end Zach Ertz. The latter tormented Washington during Week 16 last season, catching 15 passes for 115 yards.
Kelly may have flipped the script in Philadelphia, but this is still a team loaded with game-breaking offensive weapons.
It won't help that the Philly defense has had Washington's number for most of the last two seasons. Controlling underrated rush end Brandon Graham and outstanding defensive tackle Fletcher Cox will be too tough a task unless the O-line gets some major surgery on draft day.
Prediction: Eagles 28-14 Redskins
Week 5: At Atlanta Falcons
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Any goodwill and enthusiasm created by Washington's fast start to the season will have evaporated by the time they've met the Falcons in Week 5. The team will leave Atlanta in an all-too-familiar position, staring down the barrel of a losing record.
The Falcons have a new head coach in Dan Quinn and several new personnel. But the NFC South residents still have quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White.
Their presence makes Atlanta a threat against any team, even if things could be changing on offense. They'll be one more familiar face for the Redskins this week in the form of ex-offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
While you shouldn't waste time speculating on whether there will be any handshake between Griffin and Shanahan the younger, his presence does raise one interesting question. Will his offense, one generally built on the premise of moving pockets, suit Ryan, one of the most static, statuesque quarterbacks in football?
There's also the not-so-small matter of the Falcons finding a running back who can credibly execute the Shanahan stretch-style, zone-based ground scheme. You know the one, it's the same thing Alfred Morris and the Redskins have been running.
Morris may find it tougher than expected to get on track against these Falcons. Quinn is from the Seattle Seahawks school of defense. That means he learned from Pete Carroll, who often favors hybrid fronts that load the box with stacked linebackers and extra defensive tackles.
In Paul Soliai, Tyson Jackson and Ra'Shede Hageman, the Falcons certainly have the beef to make Quinn's schemes work. The Redskins may prefer to keep the ball in the air against the team that registered just 22 sacks a year ago and has so far done little to fix that problem. Signing Brooks Reed doesn't count.
But then the question becomes can Griffin keep pace with Ryan in an aerial duel? Sadly, I know where I'd put my money.
Prediction: Redskins 24-31 Falcons
Week 6: At New York Jets
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In the past two offseasons, Washington has passed up as many opportunities to hire former player Todd Bowles to run the show. It's a decision the franchise will be made to regret after perhaps the brightest, young defensive mind in football goes to work on Griffin and company in Week 6.
Actually, to be more accurate, it's Bowles' New York Jets defense that will do the work. Players like outrageously gifted and versatile linemen Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, along with cerebral linebacker David Harris. They'll be aided by shutdown defensive backs Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.
Put that cast of talent together with Bowles' mercurial pressure schemes and you've got a long day in store for Griffin and his offensive line. Make no mistake, Washington's front five, whatever it looks like once the new season begins, will be tested by the most blitz-happy play-caller in the NFL.
As much as the Redskins' own D may control a New York offense still lacking an identity, Griffin's struggles to stay upright will eventually cost the team.
Prediction: Redskins 13-20 Jets
Week 7: Home vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Being handled by the worst team in football in 2014 is one of the most painful memories of last season for the Redskins. Gruden and his players have the chance put that right in Week 7.
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers left FedEx field with a 27-7 win last November, Gruden's team was a shambles. The defense was ravaged by injuries and undermined by poor play-calling, while the coach's standoff with his quarterbacks had dragged a talented offense into the mire.
Yet this time things should be a lot different. For one thing, it's the Bucs who will be trying to make it work with a raw and inexperienced quarterback. That is, if you believe every mock draft in the land telling you the NFC South cellar-dwellers are going to take Jameis Winston first overall. There's no reason why you shouldn't.
He'll have excellent receivers to throw to, particularly big burner Mike Evans, who tore up Washington's coverage schemes last season. But it's the running back rotation of Doug Martin, Bobby Rainey and Charles Sims that will really define this offense.
All three are talented, particularly Martin and Sims. Yet all three are brittle, particularly Martin.
Defensively, overrated head coach Lovie Smith does at least know his stuff on this side of the ball. He also has more of the right pieces in place to make his schemes work after adding D-linemen Henry Melton and George Johnson.
The Bucs will rush four and challenge Griffin to beat seven-man coverage shells. They'll challenge him to be patient in the pocket, something he's rarely managed in the pros.
Yet this is a game tailor-made for Morris and the ground attack. Smith's defenses are generally quick and swarming but a little on the light side. These Bucs are no exception.
They should be perfect for a Washington running game set to be defined by greater size and more power in 2015. Gruden hired O-line guru Bill Callahan to prompt a more "physical, downhill approach" on the ground, per ESPN's John Keim.
Expect this to be Morris' biggest outing of the year.
Prediction: Bucs 17-24 Redskins
Week 9: At New England Patriots
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A brief break in the schedule gives the Redskins an extra week to prepare for, and come to terms with, the toughest game they'll face all year. A trip to the home of the defending Super Bowl champions will be an acid test of everything Washington is trying to do to become a winner.
It will be a test of Gruden's mettle and savvy as a head coach. What, if anything, has he learned after his proverbial baptism of fire in 2014?
We'll find out once he pits his wits against Bill Belichick, the cagiest, most canny sideline operator in the game. Belichick will also help us judge how far along, if at all, Griffin is in his bid to outrun bust status and finally become a credible pro quarterback.
No coaching staff in football does more to make quarterbacks uncomfortable and generally look amateurish than the Patriots. Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia are sure to find ways to take away what Griffin's most comfortable with.
If Griffin needs inspiration, he need only look at Tom Brady. He's the quarterback who seems to add something new, or improve one area of his game every year.
Brady represents the ultimate test for a defense that's been given a makeover at both the schematic and personnel level.
Washington won't pass these tests in Week 9. The Patriots represent where this franchise wants to get to. This game will be a sobering reminder of how far is left to travel.
Prediction: Redskins 20-37 Patriots
Week 10: Home vs. New Orleans Saints
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The New Orleans Saints may have a Jimmy Graham-shaped hole in their offense, but the unit still boasts Drew Brees under center. That means a second daunting examination in as many weeks of Washington's new-look secondary.
After going through the ringer with first Brady then Brees, fans will have a great idea how well the decisions to sign cornerback Chris Culliver, along with safeties Jeron Johnson and Dashon Goldson, have worked out.
What will be really interesting about this one is how new coordinator Barry schemes for this offense. A smart and cautious game plan could be his best friend.
That should mean rushing four and dropping seven as often as he can. It will be fascinating to see how effective the retooled front can be when it's tasked with making one of the game's best passers rush his throws.
But that won't be the only concern in Week 10. It will be just as important to keep relentless bruiser Mark Ingram quiet on the ground.
If the Saints are able to manufacture a consistent rushing threat to complement Brees, the Redskins simply won't keep pace.
Making Brees and his buddies one dimensional will be the key. But so will be controlling a fearsome defensive line led by Cameron Jordan and the potentially dominant Akiem Hicks.
The one benefit the Redskins have is how Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan loves to do too much. He just can't help himself when it comes to throwing scheme after complex scheme at his players, often confusing the Saints more than the opposition.
Ultimately though, it will be up to Griffin and his weapons to take full advantage. Don't hold your breath.
Prediction: Saints 27-21 Redskins
Week 11: At Carolina Panthers
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After facing two superior offenses in a row, the Redskins may welcome the chance to take on the Carolina Panthers. But any optimism will soon be snuffed out by a suffocating defense led by the most rampaging front seven in the NFL.
It's just next to impossible to see a Washington offense blighted by key questions along the line and at quarterback lighting up the scoreboard against end Charles Johnson and linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis.
The Panthers boast a Super Bowl-caliber defense, something the Redskins will learn the hard way in Week 11. Sadly, that lesson will come at the expense of a fine effort from Washington's own D.
Knighton, Hatcher, Robinson and Trent Murphy will help control a usually formidable running game and also keep Cam Newton quiet, at least for a time. The latter consideration will be a good test for Robinson, one of the more athletically dynamic players at his position in the league.
It will speak volumes of the Redskins' confidence in their young playmaker in the middle, if Robinson is tasked with spying Newton, something Barry should certainly consider.
Eventually though, Newton will get opportunities, and he'll produce a big play or two in clutch moments. As they often are, expect big-bodied (6'5", 240 pounds) wideout Kelvin Benjamin and crafty tight end Greg Olsen to be the recipients.
Prediction: Redskins 7-17 Panthers
Week 12: Home vs. New York Giants
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Get ready to feel proud of your team in Week 12. Because with the season on the line, Washington will finally deliver and score a welcome victory over the Giants.
The win won't come easy, not when Big Blue's offense attacks the linebacker level with pass-catching running back Shane Vereen, one of the best pickups of this year's free agency.
But Barry's D will hang tough and also get to quarterback Eli Manning more than once. Kerrigan, who's not been short of a big play or two against the Giants, boasting three sacks and a defensive touchdown against the G-Men, will be particularly disruptive.
The pressure on the pocket will render Manning's talented cast of downfield receivers largely irrelevant. That'll be great news for the recently overworked secondary.
Offensively, the quarterback situation could well look a lot different by this point in the season. But that won't stop DeSean Jackson adding yet another Big Blue beatdown to his career dossier.
Prediction: Giants 20-26 Redskins
Week 13: Home vs. Dallas Cowboys
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By this stage of the season, the revamped pass rush will have kicked into high gear. Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys will feel the full brunt of it on Monday night in Week 13.
Last season, the Redskins swarmed all over Romo in Dallas to ensure it was the Cowboys experiencing a case of the Monday blues. This time, Washington will work the same wonders on home soil, at the same time erasing the memory of the humiliating 44-17 hammering Dallas dished out on the road in Week 17.
By now, the Cowboys will have realized losing Murray was a bigger blow than they thought. Without their stud running back, head coach Jason Garrett and his staff will revert to the same mind-boggling play-calling that's wasted Romo for years.
It will be doubly painful for the Cowboys to watch Morris and the Washington ground attack show them what they're missing.
Prediction: Cowboys 23-27 Redskins
Week 14: At Chicago Bears
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A trip to the Windy City could be particularly unforgiving now that John Fox and Vic Fangio are helping rebuild the Bears. They are sure to restore one franchise staple, namely a tough and stingy defense.
Chicago will still have Matt Forte in the backfield, Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal at wide receiver and Martellus Bennett at tight end. Provided Jay Cutler can finally learn some calmness under fire, this is still one of the league's better offenses.
The Fox effect is usually instant for his new teams. I expect the same in Chicago. The Bears will give Washington a hard time on both sides of the ball, with Fangio's defense particularly frustrating Gruden's offense.
Prediction: Redskins 17-23 Bears
Week 15: Home vs. Buffalo Bills
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The presence of one more dominating front four on the schedule, is a tacit reminder to McCloughan to make the offensive line the focus of his first draft in charge.
If he doesn't, Mario Williams and the Buffalo Bills could have a field day in Week 15. Williams, fellow rush end Jerry Hughes and tackles Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams can simply take games over.
That's something they might do more often in 2015 with new head coach Rex Ryan running the defense. He's the one Ryan brother who is a true master at his trade.
To make matters worse from Washington's perspective, it isn't just the Buffalo defense that will create problems. The sight of former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, a perennial Redskins tormentor, will hardly be welcome.
Optimists will take a crumb of comfort from Buffalo's quagmire at quarterback, where EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel will vie for snaps. But that should be settled by Week 15 and if Ryan's chosen one under center is even barely competent, the Bills will cause any secondary problems, courtesy of brilliant young receivers Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods.
Prediction: Bills 24-20 Redskins
Week 16: At Philadelphia Eagles
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At this point in the season, the NFL world will know if all of Kelly's seemingly haywire decisions were lunacy or inspired genius. If, like me, you remain skeptical and are also aware of how often Washington plays games close in Philadelphia, you should sense an upset in Week 16.
The Redskins can kick-start a bid to add one final flourish to their rebuilding season by grounding the Eagles. Grounding may not be the word considering how a pass-first approach can stun Philly in the season's penultimate week.
The Redskins know they can challenge the Philly secondary. Kirk Cousins passed his way to 427 yards and three scores in Week 3 last season. Griffin had his most efficient game against the same opponent in Week 16.
Not even the additions of Byron Maxwell, Walter Thurmond and former Washington corner E.J. Biggers (cough, cough) convince me things will be different. After all, Billy Davis is still running the defense and most of Philadelphia's problems are schematic.
By contrast, Washington's defense will be better prepared for the Eagles rushing attack after Week 4's struggles. Knighton will be particularly disruptive and lead the charge for a swarming front seven that will have really come into its own as a genuine team strength.
Prediction: Redskins 21-17 Eagles
Week 17: At Dallas Cowboys
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How about a good, old-fashioned shootout to finish the season? The NFL's best rivalry usually has a surprise or two.
This time, the surprise will be two teams investing in better defense and owning offenses featuring glaring holes at key positions, putting on a points bonanza. Washington will get things started in Texas by attacking a Dallas secondary that still convinces no-one.
But Romo, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten will soon return the favor. Fortunately, the Redskins can trade blows like this when they have Jackson, Morris, Paul, Reed, Roberts and Pierre Garcon.
Ultimately, though, Romo will laugh loudest. As he's often done before, the Dallas gunslinger will manufacture a big play or two in decisive moments to condemn Washington to finishing just shy of the doorstep of .500.
Prediction: Redskins 34-38 Cowboys
Final Record: 6-10.
Glaring Holes on Offense Set to Be Exposed by This Schedule
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If he still needed it, McCloughan has gotten a reminder he must bolster the offensive line during the 2015 NFL draft. Many of football's best defensive lines are on this schedule.
No matter how often Gruden talks up in-house options, the current front five won't stand up to the Dolphins, Rams, Jets Panthers and Bills. They won't even resist the Saints.
The very real prospect of another season of crumbling trenches raises the question how much patience will there be for Griffin? He's the starter now, but it's far from a mystery Gruden would prefer someone else.
Washington is stuck in a Catch-22 offensively. Griffin has serious, possibly irreparable, flaws in his game, notably, the inability to read defenses and protect the ball.
But any quarterback, struggling or otherwise, would have a tough time refining his game if he can't say upright for three seconds in the pocket.
It's football's very own chicken and the egg debate. What must come first for Washington? The quarterback more adept in the pocket? Or the line solid enough to make even an average passer look good?
This year's draft will reveal the answer and it's probably the latter as things stand. If a stouter front is built in time, expect a possible two-game swing on these predictions, potentially giving the Redskins an 8-8 record, the first positive step toward building a contender.
But the quarterback dilemma isn't going away, no matter what else McCloughan does to repair the foundation. The problems that creates will do just enough to keep this roster losing for another year.
All statistics, rankings and player information, via NFL.com.
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