If you missed it, here is the Washington Redskins schedule prediction from Weeks 1 through Week 5. As of now, I have the Skins starting 3-1 with a loss to Green Bay. Weeks six through 10 don’t get any easier as Washington will face Carolina, Dallas, New York Giants, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay.
Oct. 14 — Week 6 vs. Carolina:
This game will be a tough one as Carolina is sneaky good. The Panthers finished 2017 with an 11-5 record and made it to the NFC Wildcard before losing to division rival New Orleans, 31-26.
As long as the Panthers have Cam Newton they will be a good football team. In recent history, the Redskins have struggled against mobile quarterbacks. Newton doesn’t have to rely on his feet as much now as he did in the past now that he has Christian McCaffrey in the backfield.
Washington can keep this game close, but they lose this one.
Result: Carolina 28, Washington 21
- Record: (3-2)
Oct. 21 — Week 7 vs. Dallas:
If you missed it on Twitter, I said Dallas would be improved this year. Yes, I know they lost Dez Bryant and their defense won’t be that great but that is beside the point. This is a rivalry game, a game that Washington hasn’t won since Week 17 in the 2015 season.
The two games in 2016 were only separated by five points or less, this past season was a different story as Dallas defeated Washington 33-19 in Week 8 and 38-14 in Week 13.
I have said this on ESPN Radio that Washington and Dallas will split this year but in the first meeting Dallas will win and it will likely come on a game-winning field goal.
Result: Dallas 17, Washington 16
- Record: (3-3)
Oct. 28 — Week 8 @ New York Giants:
Somehow last year the Redskins and Giants split the season series and as bad as New York was they competed with the Skins in the last game of the season, surprisingly.
This will be a vastly improved Giants team in 2018. They have a much better coach, to be honest, anyone is better than a dull-witted coach than Ben McAdoo. Eli Manning will have an unproven running back in the backfield, but Saquon Barkley will compete for Rookie of the Year.
The Giants defense is good, there’s no denying it. But, this is a game where Alex Smith throws the ball around the field. Paul Richardson and Josh Doctson will have a big game and the Redskins get back in the win column.
Result: Washington 31, Dallas 17
- Record: (4-3)
Nov. 4 — Week 9 vs. Atlanta:
Atlanta is a good football team, no denying it. This will be a tough, nose grinder type of game for both teams. Washington has the potential to win this game, but in reality, it probably won’t happen.
This game is the midway point into a 16-game season and if Washington enters 4-3 overall, it would be impressive. However, with Atlanta’s defense being as good as they are and with Julio Jones being a top-five receiver in the NFL, this game could get ugly.
Although Washington doesn’t compete with the Falcons on paper, the game isn’t played on paper. There are three games that Alex Smith will need to work hard for his paycheck. This is one of those games and playing Philly twice.
Defense wins championships, Atlanta’s defense wins this one.
Result: Atlanta 31, Washington 21
- Record: (4-4)
Week 10 — @ Tampa Bay:
A break from the cold and a break from losing will come in the same week for Washington. After getting blown out by Atlanta in Week 9, I have Washington going down to Tampa and easily defeating the Bucs.
Listen, no disrespect intended for Tampa Bay or to their fans, but the Buccaneers will not be good this year. They have a quarterback who’s always in the spotlight and for all the wrong reasons.
They have two receivers who can create chaos for the Skins secondary in Mike Evans and former Washington receiver DeSean Jackson. If it was Ryan Fitzpatrick starting for the Bucs’ this could be a closer game, but reportedly Winston will get his job back after his suspension is over, but that also depends on how good/bad Fitzpatrick is performing as well.
Result: Washington 38, Tampa Bay 10
- Record: (5-4)
After starting 3-1, the Redskins come down to earth and then head into their last seven games with a 5-4 record and could be playing for a potential playoff birth. Those last seven games see them play Houston, Dallas, Philly twice, Giants, Jacksonville, and Tennessee.
