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The Washington Redskins finished the 2012 season with a 10-6 record, and lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs.
Washington didn’t have much money to work with this offseason, so they made relatively small name signings. These signings include quarterback Pat White, cornerback EJ Biggers and wide receivers Lance Lewis and Donte Stallworth.
The Redskins parted ways with offensive tackle Jamaal Brown and defensive backs Cedric Griffin and Madieu Williams.
In the second year of the RGIII era, expectations for this team are as high as ever. Here is the Washington Redskins 2013-2014 NFL season preview and predictions.
Offense
If Griffin III is fully healthy and can play like he did last year, Washington should have a very dangerous offense. RGIII and Alfred Morris may be the best QB/RB option duo in the NFL, as both can combine for nearly 2,500 rushing yards in 2013.
RGIII has weapons to throw the ball to as well, including Pierre Garcon, Santana Moss and Fred Davis. Kyle Shanahan has developed the perfect offensive scheme to maximize RGIII’s skill set, when healthy.
If RGIII can’t move around as well as he did last season, this offense could look totally different. Teams won’t have to respect Griffin III pulling the ball away and running, and can focus on just stopping Morris.
If RGIII can’t run, teams will be more willing to blitz because they won’t have to worry about Griffin III escaping and picking up big chunks of yardage with his legs.
A healthy RGIII with all these weapons is a deadly offense in DC this year. A not-so-healthy RGIII with all these weapons equals an average Redskins offense.
RGIII has proven he has the arm to be a pocket passer, but his legs give the Redskins’ offense a nearly unstoppable dimension.
Defense
The Redskins were one of the best teams in the NFL last season at stopping the run, and one of the worst teams against the pass.
The Redskins defensive line made up of Stephen Browner, Barry Coefield and Chris Baker (Jarvis Jenkins starts over Baker, but is suspended until Week 6), do a very good job at taking on blockers and eating up space.
None of these guys are stand outs, but they all do exactly what they are asked too. The Redskins linebackers get most of the notoriety on this defense, but its the defensive line that does the dirty work to allow the linebackers to make all those plays.
The Redskins linebacking corps is good.
Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo are great pass rushers, and do a great job at wrecking havoc in the backfield. Orakpo missed last season due to a pectoral tear, but is an animal when healthy. Kerrigan recorded 8.5 sacks last season.
London Fletcher and Perry Riley recorded 139 and 129 tackles respectively last season, and are always around the football. This one of the best middle linebacker duos in the NFL.
Washington’s secondary is the weakest part of this defense.
DeAngelo Hall does a solid job at one corner spot, but Josh Wilson and EJ Biggers will need to step up and hold down the second corner spot. Brandon Merriweather will start at the strong safety spot, and rookie Bacarri Rambo will start at the free safety spot. Merriweather only played in 1 game last season.
The Redskins finished 30th in the league last year against the pass, so this secondary will need to play better in 2013 for this team to reach to the Super Bowl.
The Redskins defensive line made up of Stephen Browner, Barry Coefield and Chris Baker (Jarvis Jenkins starts over Baker, but is suspended until Week 6), do a very good job at taking on blockers and eating up space.
None of these guys are stand outs, but they all do exactly what they are asked too. The Redskins linebackers get most of the notoriety on this defense, but its the defensive line that does the dirty work to allow the linebackers to make all those plays.
The Redskins linebacking corps is good.
Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo are great pass rushers, and do a great job at wrecking havoc in the backfield. Orakpo missed last season due to a pectoral tear, but is an animal when healthy. Kerrigan recorded 8.5 sacks last season.
London Fletcher and Perry Riley recorded 139 and 129 tackles respectively last season, and are always around the football. This one of the best middle linebacker duos in the NFL.
Washington’s secondary is the weakest part of this defense.
DeAngelo Hall does a solid job at one corner spot, but Josh Wilson and EJ Biggers will need to step up and hold down the second corner spot. Brandon Merriweather will start at the strong safety spot, and rookie Bacarri Rambo will start at the free safety spot. Merriweather only played in 1 game last season.
The Redskins finished 30th in the league last year against the pass, so this secondary will need to play better in 2013 for this team to reach to the Super Bowl.
2013 Prediction: 9-7
RGIII may be on the field in Week 1, but he won’t be the same player for a couple of weeks. This offense has weapons all over the field, and this defense should be better than it was last year with Brian Orakpo rejoining the unit.
This is a good team, but not a great one just yet.
Wins: Philadelphia, Detroit, @Oakland, San Diego, @Minnesota, @Philadelphia, New York (Giants), Kansas City, Dallas
Losses: @Green Bay, @Dallas, Chicago, @Denver, San Francisco, @Atlanta, @New York (Giants)
This is a good team, but not a great one just yet.
Wins: Philadelphia, Detroit, @Oakland, San Diego, @Minnesota, @Philadelphia, New York (Giants), Kansas City, Dallas
Losses: @Green Bay, @Dallas, Chicago, @Denver, San Francisco, @Atlanta, @New York (Giants)
