2016 Washington Redskins Schedule: Full Listing of Dates, Times and TV Info

The Washington Redskins have a lot to live up to in 2016 coming off an improbable NFC East title, and Wednesday's schedule release painted a clearer picture of the task at hand to defend their divisional crown.

Although one could argue Washington largely overachieved last season, there's palpable pressure to win now in the nation's capital given the situation at the most important position.  

Kirk Cousins just had a breakout year in throwing for a single-season franchise record 4,166 yards. However, he wasn't rewarded with a long-term contract and is on a short-term, prove-it deal under the franchise tag.

Read on for more analysis on the Redskins, after their full upcoming slate for the 2016 campaign was released on NFL.com.

Week	Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	TV
1	Sep 12	vs. Steelers	7:10 p.m.	ESPN
2	Sep 18	vs. Cowboys	1 p.m.	Fox
3	Sep 25	at Giants	1 p.m.	Fox
4	Oct 2	vs. Browns	1 p.m.	CBS
5	Oct 9	at Ravens	1 p.m.	Fox
6	Oct 16	vs. Eagles	1 p.m.	Fox
7	Oct 23	at Lions	1 p.m.	Fox
8	Oct 30	at Bengals (in London)	9:30 a.m.	Fox
9	BYE	-	-	-
10	Nov 13	vs. Vikings	1 p.m.	Fox
11	Nov 20	vs. Packers	8:30 p.m.	NBC
12	Nov 24 (Thanksgiving)	at Cowboys	4:30 p.m.	Fox
13	Dec 4	at Cardinals	4:25 p.m.	Fox
14	Dec 11	at Eagles	1 p.m.	Fox
15	Dec 19	vs. Panthers	8:30 p.m.	ESPN
16	Dec 24	at Bears	1 p.m.	Fox
17	Jan 1	vs. Giants	1 p.m.	Fox

Analysis

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Washington didn't make any big splashes in free agency, so it remains to be seen whether the roster holds up or if the team can find instant impact players through the draft.

If Cousins has even one more weapon at his disposal, he could well continue making strides and play at an even higher level in what will be a landmark year for him and the organization. He has an elite deep threat in DeSean Jackson and a stud pass-catching tight end in Jordan Reed to help the cause already.

Since the Redskins won the NFC East with a 9-7 mark in 2015, about anything can happen in the division. There is little separation between all the teams, and Washington arguably is a less talented club than the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.

New York spent a lot in free agency, acquiring marquee defenders in defensive end Olivier Vernon and cornerback Janoris Jenkins. The Cowboys will welcome back a hopefully-healthy Tony Romo under center, which makes the entire team far better.

Last year's Redskins defense was a bend-but-don't-break type of unit that ranked 28th in yards allowed but 17th in points yielded. No major personnel additions were made on that side of the ball on the open market.

What Washington can likely hang its hat on is a solid stable of pass-rushers featuring Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith and Junior Galette, who returns off a torn Achiiles that kept him out for all of last season.

Pivotal Matchups

Al Behrman/Associated Press

The matchups with the NFC North and AFC North divisions make the slate quite challenging for Washington overall. A landmark affair will be its Week 8 clash with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Redskins coach Jay Gruden was Cincinnati's offensive coordinator before taking over his current gig. He'll have familiarity working in his favor to help game-plan against Bengals QB Andy Dalton, who jump-started his NFL career under Gruden's tutelage.

Even when Washington is home, its schedule isn't too favorable. Protecting FedEx Field may prove more difficult than it was in 2015 when the Redskins posted a 6-2 record.

The games against Dallas, New York and Philadelphia at home will be absolutely crucial in determining Washington's fate for 2016. That's because among the five other Redskins visitors, four just went to the playoffs.

It's hard to imagine Washington being favored in many games this coming season, so Cousins, the passing attack and pass-rushers have to deliver for another winning season to be feasible.