The National Football League announced its 2013 regular season schedule Thursday night, and the Washington Redskins’ schedule features a team-record five national television appearances beginning at 7:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The five prime-time games snap the Redskins’ previous team record of four, previously set in six seasons including most recently in 2008.
The season will be one of many parallels for Executive Vice President/Head Coach Mike Shanahan. This season, Shanahan will face all three of the other professional teams for which he has coached – the Denver Broncos (1984-87, 1989-91, 1995-2008), the Oakland Raiders (1988-89) and the San Francisco 49ers (1992-94). In addition, every opponent Shanahan has faced in the Super Bowl is represented on the 2013 schedule, including the New York Giants (1986 season), Redskins (1987), 49ers (1989), San Diego Chargers (1994), Green Bay Packers (1997) and Atlanta Falcons (1998).
Week 1: vs the Philadelphia Eagles -
Why the Redskins will win: The NFL Schedule makers reached out to the Washington Redskins less than a month after QB Robert Griffin III’s total reconstructive knee surgery. Why, you ask? Because he is one of the faces of the league and is one of the most most marketable players. So, surely, this means everyone is planning for Robert to be ready week 1. While the Eagles will boast a brand spanking new high tempo Chip Kelly offense, the Redskins will be the first to test Philly’s new 3-4 defense. The transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 is very difficult, especially if the team doesn’t have the correct personnel. Assuming Griffin will be ready to go, the Eagles defense may also face a tweaked Shanahan offense. Not to mention, the last time Alfred Morris played in a primetime regular season game, he showed out — running for 200 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in Washington’s season finale. Plus, Mike Shanahan is 15-4 in home openers (3-0 as Redskins’ coach).
Why the Eagles will win: Teams with new offensive schemes are very tough to compete against early in the season. I call it “games of ignorance.” Defenses simply do not know what to expect. Washington’s defense was the clear weakness in 2012. With guys like Brian Orakpo and Brandon Meriweather presumably being back, you would think that side will be improved. Especially if the Redskins find a way to solidify the free safety position. But it’s very tough to face a offensive scheme that really hasn’t been seen in the NFL. LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson will likely be used often and differently than past seasons.
Week 2 vs Green Bay Packers -
Why the Redskins will win: If your front 7 can get to Aaron Rodgers early and often, you stand a chance to defeat the Green Bay Packers. Otherwise, this could be a classic shootout. Which the Washington Redskins are capable of competing in with their potent air and ground game. Eating the clock by establishing a ground game will help, but this is not a game you want to get behind in early.
Why the Packers will win: This will be the Packers first home game of the season and they are not easy to defeat at home. In fact, the Redskins haven’t defeated the Packers at Lambeau Field since Oct. 23, 1988. The Packers have the league’s best Quarterback and it will be tough for Washington to slow him down.
Week 3 vs Detroit Lions -
Why the Redskins will win: The Redskins have won 21 consecutive home games against the Lions dating back to Nov. 26, 1939 and are 21-2 all-time at home against them. However, they haven’t played the Lions at home since 2007. The Lions can score a lot of points offensively, but their secondary isn’t great and they absolutely cannot finish football games. The Redskins pack one of the more clutch young Quarterbacks in the NFL with RG3. So as long as the ‘Skins stay within shooting range, they can close a football game on the arm of Griffin and legs of Alfred Morris.
Why the Lions will win: Calvin Johnson. It’s nearly impossible to slow down Calvin Johnson. You can put all 11 guys on him and QB Matt Stafford will still trust Johnson to out-man anyone standing in his way. Speaking of Matt Stafford, the Redskins have made him look like John Elway the last two times they’ve faced him. With a new weapon in Reggie Bush, and assuming they add to their receiving core — the Lions have a very potent offense.
Week 4 vs Oakland Raiders -
Why the Redskins will win: The Redskins will be playing in Oakland for the first time since recording a 34-13 win against the Raiders on Dec. 13, 2009, a game in which then-rookie Brian Orakpo registered a team-record-tying four sacks. But to be fair, that was against the Jamarcus Russell led Oakland Raiders… This time, the Redskins will presumably face Matt Flynn, who the Raiders recently acquired via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. He has looked good in the few games he’s played in. But this is a game the Redskins should win, offensively and defensively.
Why the Raiders will win: The Redskins play down to “should beat” opponents sometimes. Oakland hopes to feature RB Darren McFadden, and if he’s healthy… he could pose some problems for the Redskins defensively.
Week 5 Bye Week -
Why the Redskins will win: Last time the Redskins had a bye week, they came back and didn’t lose a football game until the first round of the post season.
Why the Bye week will win: Well, it can’t. But this will be an early bye, which means the Redskins will have to play 12 straight games starting in week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys in a primetime matchup.
Week 6 vs Dallas Cowboys -
Why the Redskins will win: This game will likely be close. In fact, eleven of the Redskins’ last 12 road games against the Cowboys have been decided by seven points or less. But the Redskins gave Dallas fits lasts season. Last year’s Thanksgiving game was just dominated through the air and the season finale was dominated on the ground. These games are typically determined by the team that makes the least amount of turnovers. That’s something the Redskins managed to do well last season — limit turnovers and create them.
Why the Cowboys will win: The Redskins haven’t won consecutive road games against Dallas since the 1987-89 seasons. Tony Romo has been secured for the foreseeable future and it’s a step up or sit down season for WR Dez Bryant. While DeAngelo Hall had some of his best games last season against Dez Bryant, he’s still capable of making big plays. Not to mention, the Cowboys will be healthier on defense and will likely have an improved secondary. They are switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defensive scheme, so it’s uncertain how that transition will pan out.
Week 7 vs Chicago Bears -
Why the Redskins will win: The Redskins are currently riding a four consecutive game win streak against the Bears. That includes the four interception game DeAngelo Hall had against QB Jay Cutler in 2010 that tied an NFL record. Problem is, the Bears still struggle to protect Cutler (although they’ve made some improvements) and Cutler is still sporadic with his accuracy. Whoever is most physical will likely win this football game.
Why the Bears will win: Last time the Redskins faced Chicago, Mike Shanahan had to coach against his former draft pick Jay Cutler. This time around, another Shanahan draft pick, Brandon Marshall will join the party. He’s tough to defend and this will be a task for Washington’s secondary. As said, whoever is most physical will likely win this football game.
Week 8 vs Denver Broncos -
Why the Redskins will win: This has all the makings of a great game. Shanahan’s return to Denver and RG3 vs Peyton Manning. Make no mistake about it, this game will be a chess match. If the Redskins can protect RG3 from Von Miller and company, he could find holes in Denver’s secondary.
Why the Broncos will win: It is very tough to scheme against Peyton Manning. And although this will be a big day for Mike Shanahan, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett will have the most important job. Manning now has one of the best receiving corps in the NFL with Eric Decker, Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas. This will be a very tough matchup for the Redskins defense.
Week 9 vs Chargers -
Why the Redskins will win: By this point in the season, the Chargers will either be good or a struggling football team. This is a make or break season for QB Philip Rivers and they have a running back in Ryan Matthews who is good when healthy, but rarely is healthy. The Redskins could have success on both sides of the football in this game.
Why the Chargers will win: The big question is can new head coach Mike McCoy help Philip Rivers become a better quarterback? The Chargers’ season will really be attributed to that. But McCoy is known for getting the best out of Tim Tebow and adapting to Peyton Manning’s offense. So this job is not too big for him. If Rivers can be the quarterback he used to be, this is a decent football team.
Week 10 vs Minnesota Vikings -
Why the Redskins will win: This will mark the first time in history the teams will play regular season games against one another in four consecutive seasons. Ironically, the Redskins have done fairly well against Adrian Peterson in the past. QB Christian Ponder has to take that next step in order for the Vikings to have continued success, and I don’t believe he will.
Why the Vikings will win: The Redskins are currently 6-7 all time in Thursday games, although the team did defeat the Dallas Cowboys last Thanksgiving. Washington has never won consecutive Thursday night games, so the Vikings have that going for them. Ponder could improve his play though, and if the team adds weapons around him and Greg Jennings, they could do some damage.
Week 11 vs Philadelphia Eagles -
Why the Redskins will win: First of all, it’s tough to sweep NFC East division rivals. But at this point in the season, Washington should have a better feel of the Eagles new Chip Kelly offense.
Why the Eagles will win: As said, it’s tough to sweep NFC East division rivals. So, regardless of which team wins in week 1, this will likely be a close game won by the team that makes less mistakes.
Week 12 vs San Francisco 49ers -
Why the Redskins will win: This is going to be a great game, which is why the league put in the primetime spot. RG3 vs Colin Kaepernick. This will come down to the team that’s most physical. Both teams have talented QBs, RB and physical receivers. But Ravens’ Joe Flacco put the 49ers’ secondary on blast in the Super Bowl. Pre-draft, the secondary doesn’t look any better than it did a few months ago.
Why the 49ers will win: They are a physical football team with a ton of talent. The defending NFC Super Bowl representatives. Including the postseason, the Redskins are an even 7-7 against the 49ers. Not to mention, coach Mike Shanahan is 3-3 against the team.
Week 13 vs New York Giants -
Why the Redskins will win: This will probably be the best matchup in the East for the foreseeable future. But the Redskins have had the Giants number the last two seasons. I would expect this to be another late season, “need to win” type of game for the Redskins. Although they will play on a short week, after the San Fran game that Monday, they benefit from this game being on Sunday night.
Why the Giants will win: Eli Manning and the Giants typically play some of their best football late in the season.
Week 14 vs Kansas City Chiefs -
Why the Redskins will win: This will mark the Redskins’ third straight home game. Therefore, they will either be very comfortable defending their home ground or tired of being in-house. This will be another one of those physical football games. The Redskins have a team created for physical football both offensively and defensively.
Why the Chiefs will win: The Chiefs are actually a very talented football team. With the addition of Alex Smith, he should be able to keep the team in football games with the offensive weapons around him. Not to mention, the team’s new head coach, Andy Reid is very familiar with the Redskins.
Week 15 vs Atlanta Falcons -
Why the Redskins will win: This game will either mean a lot or absolutely nothing with it being late in the season. Last year, the Redskins actually played Atlanta well. If RG3 didn’t suffer a concussion, Washington had momentum in their corner and could have given the Falcons their first loss of the season.
Why the Falcons will win: Julio Jones is a complete beast. He gave the Redskins fits last year, and really could have even done better had Matt Ryan been a little more accurate. The Falcons can thread Washington’s secondary if they’re not up to par by this point.
Week 16 vs Dallas Cowboys -
Why the Redskins will win: Again, it’s not easy sweeping NFC East rivals. But this will be another classic late season NFC East battle. It will likely come down to the very end. The good thing is, it’s at home for the Redskins.
Why the Cowboys will win: At this point, Dallas will either be in or close to being in the playoffs. Or rumors flying around on a Jason Garrett firing. It’s playoffs or bust in Jerry Jones’ mind.
Week 17 vs New York Giants -
Why the Redskins will win: Late season game. In the NFC East, these types of games typically count for a lot. So much like last season, the Redskins could be extra motivated to win this one.
Why the Giants will win: The same thing accounts for the Giants. They could be motivated to win this game. Eli Manning is best when stakes are set high.
So, you have Washinbgton going a theoretical 8-8?
That is an incredibly bold prediction.