2017 Record - 7-9-0
Head Coach - Jay Gruden
2017 Offensive Ranking - 16th (325 ypg, 21.4 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 21st (348 ypg, 24.2 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - The quarterback will be Alex Smith, who comes over from the Kansas City Chiefs after passing for 4,042 yards with 26 touchdowns and just five interceptions. In addition, Smith ran for 355 yards with one touchdown. Backing him up will either be Colt McCoy or Kevin Hogan.
Samaje Perine (603 rushing yards with one TD), Chris Thompson (294, two TD and 39 receptions, 510 yards and four TD) and rookie Derrius Guice (LSU) will be the primary running backs. Free agent Adrian Peterson recently signed with the team and could contribute in the backfield as well.
The wide receivers are Paul Richardson (44 receptions, 703 yards, six TD), Jamison Crowder (66, 789, three TD) and Josh Doctson (35, 502, six TD). Tight End Jordan Reed (27, 211, two TD) played just six games least season and is flanked by 13-year veteran Vernon Davis, who had 43 receptions for 648 yards and three touchdowns.
DEFENSE - The defensive front includes Jonathan Allen, Ziggy Hood and Matt Ioaniddis, who had 4 1/2 quarterback sacks last season. Rookie Da'ron Payne (Alabama) and Stacy McGee provide depth.
Linebackers Ryan Kerrigan (13 QB sacks), Preston Smith (eight sacks and two interceptions) and Pernell McPhee (four sacks with Chicago) can get after opposing quarterbacks.
The secondary has cornerbacks Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar, along with safeties D.J. Swearinger (four interceptions) and Montae Nicholson. The Redskins had 42 sacks and picked off 16 passes last season while ranking in the NFL's top ten against the pass.
OUTLOOK - The Washington Redskins have been no better than a mediocre team the last three seasons and Head Coach Jay Gruden would like to see that change in a big way.
So, out with quarterback Kirk Cousins (now with the Minnesota Vikings) and in with 14-year veteran Alex Smith, who had perhaps his best statistical season with Kansas City a year ago.
The offense was middle of the pack and so was the defense, although the pass defense did rank ninth overall last season. The Redskins running game must get better after averaging just 90 yards per game last year, which ranked 28th in the NFL.
If Smith can show he is the quarterback from last year, the Redskins could be better offensively as they look to get back to the post-season for the first time in three years.
The NFC East looks to be a battle once again, but the Philadelphia Eagles separated themselves from the pack a year ago and if the Redskins want to be competitive, they must have a balanced offense and show they can stop the run after finishing at the bottom of the league, allowing 134 yards rushing per game.
A 6-10 season is likely unless all things come together on both sides of the ball. The Redskins are in a zone of mediocrity and that is likely to be the case once again this season.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Arizona
Week 2 - vs. Indianapolis
Week 3 - vs. Green Bay
Week 4 - Bye
Week 5 - at New Orleans
Week 6 - vs. Carolina
Week 7 - vs. Dallas
Week 8 - at NY Giants
Week 9 - vs. Atlanta
Week 10 - at Tampa Bay
Week 11 - vs. Houston
Week 12 - at Dallas
Week 13 - at Philadelphia
Week 14 - vs. NY Giants
Week 15 - at Jacksonville
Week 16 - at Tennessee
Week 17 - vs. Philadelphia
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