2019 NFL Team Preview - WASHINGTON REDSKINS

WASHINGTON REDSKINS                                   

2018 Record - 7-9-0



Head Coach - Jay Gruden




Newcomers for 2019 - Case Keenum (QB), Ereck Flowers (OL), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (DB), Landon Collins (DB)


Keys on Offense - The Redskins drafted quarterback Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State) with their first draft pick and he should have every chance to be the starter this season. Veteran Case Keenum comes over after a season with the Denver Broncos, where he passed for 3,890 yards with 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
As for the running game, ageless Adrian Peterson is back again. He rushed for 1,042 yards (4.2 ypc average) and scored seven rushing touchdowns. If Peterson breaks down or struggles in his 13th NFL season, the 'Skins have Derrius Guice, who missed all of his rookie season in 2018 when he suffered a knee injury in the first pre-season game.
The wide receiving corps includes Josh Docston (44 receptions for 532 yards and two TD), Paul Richardson (20, 262, two TD), Brian Quick and rookie Terry McLaurin (Ohio State). Tight End Jordan Reed led the team with 54 receptions for 558 yards and had two touchdown receptions. 


Keys on Defense - Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (13 QB sacks) and Defensive End Jonathan Allen (eight sacks) lead the way for league's number 16 defense in 2018, which allowed 353 yards per game while allowing 22.4 points per game, which was 15th in the NFL.  Matt Ioannidis had 7 1/2 sacks and Daron Payne registered five. Rookie Montez Sweat (Mississippi State) is likely to be a starter at outside linebacker.
Josh Norman led the defensive backs with three interceptions while fellow cornerback Quinton Dunbar had two picks. Washington had 15 interceptions last season along with 46 sacks. Veterans Landon Collins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie add experience and depth to the secondary.


OUTLOOK - The Redskins started strong last year, but faded down the stretch, losing six of their last seven games. Head Coach Jay Gruden knows his team has their work cut out for them this season in the NFC East.
The quarterback situation should be interesting to watch this year as the rookie (Haskins) battles the veteran journeyman QB (Keenum) for the starting nod. The running game looks solid with Peterson back for another year and two younger backs in Guice and 2019 4th round pick Bryce Love (Stanford) looking to back up the future Hall-of-Famer.
The offense has to be better this season if the team wants to be above .500, but that could be a challenge again unless they get top level performances from the QB position. The Redskins averaged a paltry 17.6 points per game last season (29th in NFL) while finishing 28th in both total offense (300 yards per game) and passing (189 yards per game).
This year, the Redskins will probably battle the New York Giants to avoid the basement in the NFC East division while going 5-11 and looking toward the future with several rookies taking on starting roles as the season progresses.


TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Philadelphia
Week 2 - vs. Dallas
Week 3 - vs. Chicago
Week 4 - at NY Giants
Week 5 - vs. New England
Week 6 - at Miami
Week 7 - vs. San Francisco
Week 8 - at Minnesota
Week 9 - at Buffalo
Week 10 - BYE 
Week 11 - vs. NY Jets
Week 12 - vs. Detroit
Week 13 - at Carolina
Week 14 - at Green Bay
Week 15 - vs. Philadelphia
Week 16 - vs. NY Giants
Week 17 - at Dallas