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Courtesy: Bleacher Report
Football fans across the nation are getting excited and ready for Week 1 of the NFL regular season. This is especially true for the Washington Redskins, in which the fans are awaiting the return of Robert Griffin III (RG3) whose knee buckled last season as he tried to field a bad shotgun snap.
Though we have yet to know whether or not RG3 will be ready to play come Week 1, we do know which teams to prepare for and when, since the NFL has released the Redskins’ schedule. Regular season kickoff may still be months away, however, here is a prediction of each of the Redskins’ 2013 regular season games.
Week 1: Monday, Sept. 9 at 7:10p.m ET
Chip Kelly is looking to start his NFL career with a bang, and I would not be surprised if he throws some trick plays on Monday Night Football. This year, the Eagles have to learn to take care of the football; they led the league with 37 turnovers last year. Since the Redskins won both of their games last year against the Eagles, I’m predicting they’ll take this one as well. However, it will be hard for the Redskins to prepare defensively for this match-up, considering the fact that we don’t know what to expect from Chip Kelly or Mike Vick. If the Redskins come prepared and healthy, then they should win. Their home field advantage will also be a big factor in this Monday night game.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15 at 1:00p.m ET
Washington Redskins @ Green Bay Packers
Prediction: Redskins 24, Packers 31
The Redskins will face some secondary issues this upcoming season. Come Week 2, if they do not have a solid secondary, then they could be in trouble as they face Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. This is a home opener for Green Bay, and we still do not know if RG3 will be a 100-percent by this week.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1:00p.m ET
Detroit Lions @ Washington Redskins
Prediction: Redskins 24, Lions 10
Wide-receiver Calvin Johnson will be the biggest obstacle in this match-up against the Lions. If the Redskins can shutdown Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, then this should be an easy win. Also, the Lions run-defense is not up-to-par, and it would help immensely if Alfred Morris can rush for 90-plus-yards and help the Redskins control ball possession.
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29 at 4:25p.m ET
Washington Redskins @ Oakland Raiders
Prediction: Redskins 27, Raiders 7
The Redskins will be returning with a very healthy defense and Brian Orakpo will be back on the field. Last season, the Raiders were 4-12 and this year looks like a repeat. The key player to shutdown in this game is Raiders’ RB Darren McFadden.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 6
REDSKINS BYE WEEK
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13 at 8:30p.m ET
Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys
Prediction: Redskins 27, Cowboys 24
Last year, after the Redskins’ bye week, they murdered the Eagles 31-6, and then went on to win their final seven regular-season games. Seeing as this game comes right after Washington’s bye week, they should be well rested and prepared to face their rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. The Redskins swept the Cowboys in the regular season last year.
Week 7: Sunday, Oct.20 at 1:00p.m ET
Chicago Bears @ Washington Redskins
Prediction: Bears 14, Redskins 7
The Chicago Bears typically start the season off strong; this match-up should be a heavy fought battle. Though the Redskins have a large support system from their home crowd, I think this game will come down to the wire. The Chicago Bears led the league with 37 defensive takeaways last season. If the Redskins can take good care of the football, then I could be wrong about this predicted outcome.
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4:25p.m ET
Washington Redskins @ Denver Broncos
Prediction: Redskins 14, Broncos 30
The Broncos have added Wes Walker – a deadly weapon that could hurt the Redskins’ secondary – to their offensive line-up. Just as Walker was Brady’s “go-to-guy,” I think he’ll be Manning’s “go-to-guy” as well. It will be really difficult for the Redskins defense to match-up against Peyton Manning on the road.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1:00p.m ET
San Diego Chargers @ Washington Redskins
Prediction: Chargers 14, Redskins 27
If this game were in San Diego, I think the Chargers would have a better chance. However, this game is in Washington and the Redskins should play really well at home this year. Philip Rivers is a twist of fate when playing QB; I think Orakpo, Kerrigan, and Fletcher should be able to cause a lot of turnovers in this game, which will be the difference maker.
Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 7 at 8:25p.m ET
Washington Redskins @ Minnesota Vikings
Prediction: Redskins 21, Vikings 17
Adrian Peterson and Alfred Morris, the NFL’s two top rushers from 2012, will be facing each other in a close game come November. I think this game will be decided by a few big plays in the fourth quarter. Who will make these big plays? We will have to wait and see. The Redskins are pretty strong on the road, which is why I have them winning this match-up.
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 11 at 1:00p.m ET
Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles
Prediction: Redskins 21, Eagles 14
The Eagles will be seeking revenge from their loss on Monday Night Football in Week 1. Last year, the Redskins barley got by the Eagles in Philadelphia during their Week 16 match-up. Chip Kelly and the Eagles should be very comfortable together come Week 11, and if Mike Vick is healthy, then they should be in good shape. Though, I still believe Washington to be the better team; they will be defiantly tested and have to escape with another close victory.
Week 12: Monday, Nov. 25 at 8:40p.m ET
San Francisco 49ers @ Washington Redskins
Prediction: 49ers 14, Redskins 10
The 49ers came very close to winning the Super Bowl last season and this year, they have a good chance of returning there once again. This game will be a fantastic match-up for Monday Night Football with RG3 versus Colin Kaepernick. Since the 49ers have the same style QB as RG3, they know how to predict option plays; the 49ers also had the NFL’s best run defense last season, which could be a problem for Alfred Morris and the Washington Redskins.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1 at 8:30p.m ET
New York Giants @ Washington Redskins
Prediction: Redskins 27, Giants 24
The Washington Redskins are the 2012 defending NFC East Champions. This will be a hard-fought and close match-up between both defenses and offenses. The Redskins have a history of beating the New York Giants at home. If the Redskins can avoid a fourth-quarter collapse, then they should pull away with the win.
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8 at 1:00p.m ET
Washington Redskins @ Kansas City Chiefs
Predictions: Redskins 28, Chiefs 14
Alex Smith is now a Chief, and the team holds the no.1 draft pick. However, RG3 is currently 2-0 versus Andy Reid. The Chiefs were last year’s worst NFL team, and even though they have made some small improvements, this game comes at the end of the season when Washington will need W’s and the Chiefs’ season could be looking dead.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15 at 1:00 p.m ET
Washington Redskins @ Atlanta Falcons
Prediction: Redskins 17, Falcons 20
Last year, the Falcons beat the Redskins 17-24 on the road. This year’s match-up will be a lot harder for the Redskins because the game is in Atlanta. Matt Ryan can not dominate the Redskins’ secondary if the Skins want to win, and DeAnglo Hall will need to lead the secondary. The only plus side of this game is that it comes late in the season, and if the Skins play like last year, making an end-of-season push, then they could win.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec 22 at 1:00p.m ET
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins
Prediction: Cowboys 21, Redskins 28
The Redskins beat the Cowboys to clinch the NFC East last year. Though this game will be a fight, a healthy Redskins defense will be critical. Also, Tony Romo seems to “run out of gas” at the end of season; I would not be surprised if he throws another three interceptions against the Redskins. Washington will sweep the Cowboys for a second consecutive season.
Week 17: Sunday, Dec 29 at 1:00p.m ET
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Prediction: Redskins 21, Giants 20
This year, the last game of the season will be a very important one, and could very well come down for the NFC title. The Redskins are 3-1 in the last four games against the Giants, and if RG3 and Alfred Morris are completely healthy, then Washington’s offense should do just fine. However, the Redskins’ defense will need to set-it-up in the secondary to stop Eli. Orakpo and Kerrigan should be able to cause enough upfront disruption during this game to make this a close battle.
Washington Redskins 2013 Regular Season Record: 11-5
The Redskins have 22 returning starters, which is the most by any NFL team this year. With strong coaching, a dominant offense, and a dominant defense, the Redskins are looking to have a good 2013 season and will also have a high chance at winning another NFC East title. If the Redskins, and especially RG3, stay healthy all season then they should make a pretty good post-season push.
