Washington Redskins: 7 Trends We Could See Continue Against the Seattle Seahawks

If the Washington Redskins haven't hit rock bottom at this point in their season, they're likely to do so over the final six games of the season. The offense is a mess, the solid defense is suffering from a lack of support, players are dropping left and right, and the coaches don't seem to know how to fix any of it.

The Seattle Seahawks are likely the easiest game the Redskins have left on their schedule, and they aren't the pushovers they appear to be.

In spite of the negativity that has defined Washington's season, they can at least take some positives away from their close loss to Dallas last week. Though it is easier said than done, the Redskins have the potential to break their six-game losing streak this Sunday.

Here are the trends we can expect to see continue for the Redskins against the Seattle Seahawks.

Even More Passing on Offense

The Seahawks defense allows just 100 rushing yards per game, good enough for eighth in the NFL. The Redskins offense averages just 84 rushing yards per game, bad enough for 30th in the NFL.

Kyle Shanahan has shown no love or hope for the ground game, and isn't likely to change that in Seattle.

In their three wins this season, the Redskins handed the ball off an average of 30.7 times per game. In their seven losses, the Redskins handed the ball off an average of 15.3 times per game. Those numbers do not account for quarterback runs, or the stupid gadget plays Washington opened their last game with, but it shows just how lopsided the play calling has become.

Seattle is great against the run, and Kyle Shanahan is bad at calling running plays.

The team waived Tashard Choice and signed Evan Royster to the active roster, but that doesn't mean he'll get many touches. Roy Helu has done great with his opportunities, but the coaching staff doesn't seem to feel it is necessary to increase his role for real.

Rex Grossman Succeeding

Rex Grossman is not the world's worst quarterback, he just doesn't do well with secondary and tertiary reads. He likes to know where the ball is going and make the throw.

Grossman's success is based more on his receivers making plays than his own abilities.

The touchdown throws Grossman made against Dallas were great, especially the fade in the corner to Donte' Stallworth. Grossman made a great pre-snap read, which removed the need to go through his progressions. It is in those progressions that Grossman doubts himself and gets into that weird pump fake to off-balance back foot throw to interception.

The Redskins seem keen on making the broken passing attack work, and Seattle is giving up exactly 233 passing yards per game, which is what Grossman averages this season.

Veteran Receivers Getting Looks

Leonard Hankerson is done for the season, Santana Moss is questionable with a fractured hand, Niles Paul has been ruled out and both Anthony Armstrong and Terrence Austin appear to have fallen out of favor with the coaches. In the absence of youth, the Redskins' veteran receivers will see the bulk of the looks on offense.

It could be a good thing in terms of a victory, but the lack of youth at receiver, in what could be critical playing time, leaves much to be desired for the future.

Jabar Gaffney caught a team high seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown against Dallas. Donte' Stallworth made the game-changing touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, making the most of his return to the team.

Aside from the now injured Hankerson, no Redskins receiver under the age of 30 has caught more than three passes in a game.

Armstrong and Austin may see a good amount of time on the field, but that does not guarantee Grossman will look their way unless absolutely necessary.

Quality Pass Protection

The Redskins' offensive line managed to limit DeMarcus Ware to one sack last week, and only gave up three sacks on the day. Though it isn't perfect, it is much better than anyone expected from a line that has seen one starter lost for the season, and two other struggle with injuries and inconsistency.

Seattle is 23rd in the league with just 19 sacks on defense, and defensive end Chris Clemons is the only real pass rushing threat.

Washington's offensive line isn't known for its consistency, but Seattle's defense isn't known for applying serious pressure either. The Redskins have allowed seven sacks over their last three games, which is great considering the pressure-heavy NFC East they play in.

The Seahawks aren't going to wreak havoc in the Redskins' backfield because the Redskins won't be running a whole lot, which nullifies the strength of the Seahawks defense in a twisted way.

Productive Pressure on Defense

The Redskins' defense is tied with the Giants and Vikings for the league lead in sacks with 31. Linebackers Brian Orakpo and his rookie counterpart Ryan Kerrigan have 10.5 sacks between them, while Adam Carriker and Stephen Bowen account for another 10.

Washington's defense hasn't created a lot of turnovers to round out the impact they can have on games, but their pressure would be game-changing if they had an offense to back it up.

Carriker and Bowen have done a great jump creating pressure up front, while Barry Cofield has adapted to occupying multiple blockers in the middle. Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is the third most sacked quarterback in the NFL, which highlights the potential for success for the Redskins pass rush.

More Giveaways Than Takeaways

The Redskins are tied for the worst turnover differential in the NFL at minus-10. Only two teams with winning records have a minus turnover differential, New Orleans and Oakland. The Saints, however, have the best offense and the Raiders play in the most ridiculous division in football.

Washington does not have the luxury of an explosive offense or a topsy-turvy division, and play very turnover-prone football week in and week out.

Grossman has thrown 12 interceptions in seven starts, which is more than nearly every other starting quarterback with 10 starts on the season. The Redskins' defense has proven incapable of intercepting passes, which plays no small part in the discrepancy.

Defensive pressure has been great for Washington, but they simply do not create enough turnovers to make up for the rash of turnovers the offense is responsible for.

Costly Injuries

The list of injuries the Redskins have amassed since the bye week is impressive in its distinction. Chris Cooley, Tim Hightower, Kory Lichtensteiger, Leonard Hankerson and Kedric Golston are done for the season, while Trent Williams, Santana Moss, O.J. Atogwe, LaRon Landry and Josh Wilson have missed time for injuries.

The Redskins had questions about their depth heading into this season. Imagine how strained their roster has become since Week 5.

No one would be foolish enough to predict an injury, lest it come to fruition, but the odds are in favor of the Redskins seeing someone go down this week. Williams may play Sunday with an MCL sprain, having already missed time with a high ankle sprain. Jammal Brown has been in and out of the lineup in recent weeks, and the defensive secondary can't keep one lineup on the field for more than a series it seems.

Injuries are a part of the game, but it seems as though losing has only upped the stakes for the Redskins this season.