2016 Record - 8-7-1
Head Coach - Jay Gruden
Offensive Rank - 3rd (403 yards per game, 24.8 points per game)
Defensive Rank - 28th (378 yards allowed per game, 23.9 points allowed per game)
After putting up big numbers last year, quarterback Kirk Cousins was franchised by the Redskins and will be back again this season. Cousins passed for 4,917 yards with 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Colt McCoy looks to be the primary backup.
Robert Kelley, Chris Thompson and Matt Jones did the bulk of the running last season and that appears to be the same this year. Kelley led Washington in rushing last year with 704 yards and scored six touchdowns.
The wide receivers corp will be completely new this year as Pierre Garcon and Sean Jackson are gone. In their place will be Terrelle Pryor (77 receptions, 1,007 yards and four TD with Cleveland), Jamison Crowder (67, 847, seven TD) and second-year player Josh Doctson, who will likely start. Brian Quick (41, 564, three TD with Rams) provides depth. The tight ends are Jordan Reed (66, 686, six TD) and Vernon Davis, who had 44 receptions for 583 yards and two scores.
The defense lost linebacker Trent Murphy (nine QB sacks a year ago) for the season to a knee injury. However, Ryan Kerrigan (11 sacks) is back at linebacker. Also in the fold will be defensive back D.J. Swearinger (three interceptions with Arizona last year), Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland (four INT) and rookies Johnathan Allen and Ryan Anderson (both from Alabama). Allen is a defensive end and may very well be a starter.
OUTLOOK FOR 2017 - The Redskins just missed the playoffs last season, so Head Coach Jay Gruden will be expecting big things this season from Kirk Cousins and company. However, Cousins lost two big weapons, so it remains to be seen how things will work out as the season goes along. The running game may go with the committee look again as Washington averaged 106 yards per game on the ground.
The defense must play better in crunch time as the Redskins lost four games by one score or less a year ago. Improvement against both the run (120 yards per game allowed) and the pass (258 yards allowed per game) is a must if the Redskins want to get back to the playoffs.
It will come down to how well Cousins plays as he is surrounded by new receivers. His go to guys could be the tight end duo of Reed and Davis. Pryor, a former quarterback, came out of nowhere at wide receiver in Cleveland last season, so that should be a plus.
The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants (even Philadelphia) will likely loom large in the NFC East, so the Redskins will be hard pressed to succeed. A 7-9 finish seems likely as questions will abound following the season as to whether Cousins will stay with the team.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Philadelphia
Week Two - at LA Rams
Week Three - vs. Oakland
Week Four - at Kansas City
Week Five - BYE
Week Six - vs. San Francisco
Week Seven - at Philadelphia
Week Eight - vs. Dallas
Week Nine - at Seattle
Week Ten - vs. Minnesota
Week Eleven - at New Orleans
Week Twelve - vs, NY Giants
Week Thirteen - at Dallas
Week Fourteen - at LA Chargers
Week Fifteen - vs. Arizona
Week Sixteen - vs. Denver
Week Seventeen - at NY Giants
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