Any way you look at it, the Washington Redskins have had a tough season in 2019. With a 3-10 record through Week 14, the Redskins have been eliminated from the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, and they currently have to worry about hiring a new coach, and quite possibly a new general manager.
To make matters worse, if Washington were to lose their final three games of the season, it will tie their lowest win-total since 1961, 58 years ago. In 2013, 1994, and 1963, the Redskins finished with a 3-13 record. So will Washington match their franchise low again this season? With three games remaining against three divisional teams, there’s definitely a chance. Let’s break it down, game by game.
Week 15 | vs. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)
The Redskins were able to play the Eagles close the first time they met this year in Week 1 of the season, and they almost upset the hopeful Super Bowl contenders after a nice outing from Case Keenum. This time around though, things look much different.
The Redskins are on a new quarterback and a new head coach, and the Eagles are without many of their star players on offense, and their receiving core has been decimated by injuries. It would seem appropriate to say that both teams are holding on for the end of the season, but the Eagles actually still have a chance to make the playoffs thanks to a putrid NFC East division. If they wish to stay in the hunt, a win against the Redskins would go a long way.
The Eagles should be able to come away victorious if they can keep a clean pocket for QB Carson Wentz to work from, allowing him to pick apart the Redskins secondary that could be without star cornerback Quinton Dunbar, who is currently a game-time decision. On the other hand, Washington would do well to take advantage of a porous secondary in Philly that has been the Achilles heel for the Eagles all year long.
Prediction | Eagles 24, Redskins 13
Week 16 | vs. New York Giants (2-11)
The Redskins’ last home game of the season will also act as the last highly-winnable game of the season, as the struggling Giants will come to town, quite possibly with veteran QB Eli Manning under center.
The first meeting between these two teams acted as quite possibly the biggest nail in the coffin for former Redskins coach Jay Gruden, as it resulted in a 24-3 loss for Washington, and rookie QB Dwayne Haskins saw his first NFL action, throwing three interceptions and zero touchdowns.
This time around, both teams would be better off losing the game, as it would help boost the already high draft stock that both franchises possess. Though the Giants may be without their rookie QB Daniel Jones, the Redskins will have Haskins, who will hopefully start to show his experience on the stat sheet. An increased comfortability with Terry McLaurin and Kelvin Harmon has started to blossom in recent weeks, and the Giants rank near the bottom of the league in pass defense.
On the flip side, the Redskins’ run defense has been less than stellar this season, and the Giants will have RB Saquon Barkley ready to go this time after he was sidelined during the first meeting between these two teams.
Prediction | Redskins 24, Giants 20
Week 17 | at Dallas Cowboys (6-7)
Early in the season, this Week 17 trip to Dallas seemed like a surefire loss to end the season, but as the year has worn on, it’s grown into a more winnable game by the week.
While the Cowboys are currently in the lead to make the playoffs in the NFC East, they’ve looked like anything but a playoff team as of late, losing three straight games, and four of the last five. Still, Dallas’ offense is ripe with weapons, and they can be dangerous should things start to click again. Dak Prescott was at one point in the MVP conversation this season, and Ezekiel Elliott is still one of the better running backs in the league. As divisional foes, the Cowboys know exactly how they can take advantage of the Redskins struggling and depleted defense.
As for Washington. they will likely opt to attack the Cowboys’ defense on the ground, as they rank in the middle of the pack when it comes to stopping the ground game. With Derrius Guice on the IR, expect Adrian Peterson to receive a heavy workload and lead the Redskins into playing the possession game against a dangerous and explosive offense.
Prediction | Cowboys 35, Redskins 13
[vertical-gallery id=26767]