Previewing the Washington Redskins vs. Baltimore Ravens in NFL Preseason Week 1

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 11: Nate Sudfeld #2 of the Washington Redskins in action against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on August 11, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 11: Nate Sudfeld #2 of the Washington Redskins in action against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on August 11, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 23: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins looks on while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 23, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 23: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins looks on while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 23, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Overall outlook

Preseason games are nearly impossible to predict. Especially the first game. There is no knowing how much each of the Redskins will play in their first contest. The coaching staff wants to get a look at some of their depth guys early, and they will definitely not overwork their starters. That much is known.

What is known is that the Redskins have the stronger backup quarterbacks in this game. McCoy and Sudfeld are better than the Ravens duo of Dustin Vaughan and Josh Woodrum. Yes, the Ravens do have Ryan Mallett, but with Flacco’s injury, he probably will not see a great deal of action in this first game.

Next: Redskins release first depth chart of 2017

Because of this, I like the Redskins to win their first preseason game. Sudfeld needs to prove himself, and leading them to a victory could help his case. For the Ravens, this game is more about staying healthy, given all the injuries that they have suffered. They’ll probably play a lot of camp bodies to make sure that their top guys aren’t getting nicked up.

Prediction: Redskins 21, Ravens 16