2018 Washington Redskins Schedule: Full Listing of Dates, Times and TV Info

An offseason of change has left the Washington Redskins in a new place as they prepare for the 2018 season. 

Washington struck early in the offseason, acquiring Alex Smith to replace Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback. Smith was at the center of three straight playoff appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs over the past three years, and the Redskins will be hoping he brings that winning streak to the nation's capital. 

Playing in the same division as the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles makes their task difficult, but the Redskins know what their path to the postseason looks like after their schedule was released on Thursday.

Here's the full regular-season schedule Washington will face in 2018, per NFL.com. 

Redskins' 2018 Schedule

Week 1: at Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 9 at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 2: vs. Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers on Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 4: BYE

Week 5: at New Orleans Saints on Oct. 8 (Monday) at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN

Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers on Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox 

Week 7: vs. Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 21 at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 8: at New York Giants on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox 

Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox 

Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox 

Week 11: vs. Houston Texans on Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 12: at Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving) at 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 13: at Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 3 (Monday) at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN

Week 14: vs. New York Giants on Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 16: at Tennessee Titans on Dec. 23 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 17: vs. Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox

Analysis

Smith's partnership with Washington head coach Jay Gruden will be the biggest storyline for the team, especially early this season. 

One reason Smith was able to be successful with the Chiefs was because Andy Reid tailored the offense around what his quarterback could do. It also helped having a wealth of dynamic playmakers around the quarterback, including tight end Travis Kelce, running back Kareem Hunt and wide receiver Tyreek Hill. 

The Redskins don't have that assortment of skill position talent in place, though they do have players with big upside capable of breaking out. Samaje Perine had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games in Weeks 11 and 12. Josh Doctson played all 16 games last season, leading the team with six touchdown catches. 

It will also be imperative for Washington's defense to show improvement from last season. It finished 21st in yards allowed per game (347.9) and 27th in points allowed per game (24.3).

The Redskins haven't finished in the top half of the NFL in scoring defense since 2008. They had the league's worst run defense last season with 134.1 yards allowed per game. 

Despite those defensive woes, Washington was still able to finish a respectable 7-9 in 2017. Even modest improvements on that side of the ball will go a long way toward making the team a playoff contender. 

Pivotal Matchups

One of the most famous quotes from WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair is "to be the man, you have to beat the man."

In the Redskins' case, their games against the Eagles will go a long way toward showing everyone how different the 2018 team is compared to last season. Philadelphia won both matchups with its division rival last season by a combined score of 64-41.

The entire NFC East gave Washington fits in 2017. It lost five of six games against divisional opponents and gave up an average of 27.2 points in those contests. 

Seven of the Redskins' 16 games are against playoff teams from 2017. The schedule also includes two games against postseason contenders in the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts, who were without their starting quarterback due to injuries last season. 

Those games against the Packers and Colts will go a long way toward determining if the Redskins will be a factor in the NFC playoff race or in line for another season under .500.