Washington Redskins: 5 Reasons This Team Can Compete in the NFC East

The Washington Redskins entered the season as the favorites to finish last in the NFC East. Starting quarterback Rex Grossman all but guaranteed the Redskins would come out on top

After three games, the Redskins find themselves even at 2-1 with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.

Though it is still early, Washington has done a lot to convince their numerous detractors that the current iteration of the Redskins is a football team and not a circus sideshow. There are plenty of reasons to think the Redskins have a shot at capturing the NFC East crown, but it will take more to make it a reality.

Here are a few reasons why the Washington Redskins can compete in the brutal NFC East.

The Emerging Defense

It is no secret that the Redskins suffered through some serious growing pains on defense last season. It was the first year in the 3-4 scheme, and the team lacked the necessary personnel to properly execute it.

This season has already proven to be a much different story, as the 31st ranked unit from last season currently ranks 16th in the NFL.

Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo have provide ample pressure, though have yet to erupt in the sack category. Kerrigan already has an interception, a touchdown, two sacks and a forced fumble. The coaches have shown confidence in the secondary to handle receivers without regular safety help, demanding more of linebackers at the same time.

It is only a matter of time before Orakpo starts getting to quarterbacks, and that means more rushed throws and more turnovers.

The Health of Their Competition

In the season opener, the Redskins faced a Giants team working with a depleted secondary, and playing without their best defensive linemen. Last week against Dallas, the whole world was privy to Tony Romo's cracked ribs and his miraculously healed punctured lung.

Washington's best chance to beat the competition is to be healthier late in the season.

Philadelphia has already seen Michael Vick felled by a concussion and suffer a contusion on his non-throwing hand. How many more shots is it going to take before Vick is out for more than just a few plays and a practice or two during the week?

How likely is it that Romo's ribs fully heal during the course of a season?

The Redskins dealt with injuries during preseason, and haven't lost any linchpin players for the season. If Washington keeps its starters healthy and exploits the weaknesses of the rest of the division, the NFC East looks more winnable.

The Inevitable Explosion of Tim Hightower

Tim Hightower's 209 yards through three games was not at all what fans expected or coaches bargained for. He has not had his signature game with the Redskins yet, and every week holds the simple fact that it is only a matter of time.

Hightower will eclipse the century mark at some point this season, and it won't be a one-time deal.

The Redskins should be a strong running team given the way their offensive line is built and the coaching legacy they're playing under. Mike Shanahan is known for his ability to turn running backs into 1,000-yard rushers in no time, and Hightower is one of the more capable players to play under Shanahan.

Washington's next three opponents, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Carolina, give up more than 100 rushing yards per game. Hightower will find great success in one if not all three of those upcoming games.

The Progressing Offense

The Redskins offense has little trouble moving the ball between the 20s. Their issues start in the red zone, where they've left far too many points on the board.

Once the Redskins find their identity and learn to impose their will, they will be difficult to contend with week in and week out.

Kyle Shanahan is still finding his way as an offensive coordinator and needs to get away from scripting the start of each game. He comes from a pass-first team, but was raised by a run-first coach in Mike Shanahan. We have seen very little of the Redskins receivers, and that should worry opponents a bit.

If the Redskins have won with Santana Moss, Fred Davis and strong defense, imagine what happens when Anthony Armstrong gets going, Roy Helu gets a bigger role or Tim Hightower starts ripping off huge runs.

The Unpredictability of the NFL

The NFC South hasn't had the same champion in consecutive years since its inception in 2002. The NFC East hasn't had the same champion in consecutive years since 2004.

In that span, however, only Washington has failed to capture the division crown.

The Redskins haven't won the NFC East since 1999 under Norv Turner, when Brad Johnson was the quarterback. Any team can win on any given Sunday, and the start to this season has proven that cliche true.

Washington is 1-1 in the division with the slumping Eagles on tap after the bye week. The Redskins could be 3-1 by that time and looking to build momentum towards their unlikely playoff run. Rex Grossman managed to help the Bears to the Super Bowl in 2007, and no one believed it was possible then.