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Ranking every Redskins game from least to most difficult for 2018

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Free safety D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Free safety D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Head coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons reacts from the sidelines during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Head coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons reacts from the sidelines during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

6. Week 9 vs. Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan. Julio Jones. Calvin Ridley. Mohamed Sanu. Devonta Freeman. Tevin Coleman. Those are the main skill position weapons on the Falcons offense. That seems to have the makings of a high-powered offense.

Last season, the Falcons offense wasn’t exactly as strong as many expected it to be. That was mostly due to the departure of Kyle Shanahan and the Falcons’ decision to replace him with Steve Sarkisian. Ryan never looked fully comfortable in Sarkisian’s offense, but Sarkisian is returning for another season.

Perhaps with another year under his belt, Ryan will be a bit more comfortable. And if that happens, he should be able to return to MVP form thanks to his weaponry.

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The Redskins are going to be hard-pressed to find defensive solutions for all the problems the Falcons offense might give them. Josh Norman may not be able to keep up with Jones, so Quinton Dunbar or Fabian Moreau may take that role on. In the slot, the Redskins still aren’t proven since they traded away Kendall Fuller. That could open things up for Sanu or Ridley, depending on how the Falcons decide to use their receivers.

And because of the two-headed monster at running back, Manusky and Jim Tomsula will have to prepare the front to be ready for two distinct running styles. That could be tough, especially given how young the defensive line projects to be.

That said, the Redskins will have to rely on their offense to try and beat the Falcons. That could be doable, but Dan Quinn is a defensive minded head coach and he finally has players that fit his scheme. This could make life hard for Gruden, Smith, and the rest of the Washington offense, but given that they are at home, they could have a shot at making the contest competitive.

Atlanta is one of four teams that the Redskins are playing this season to have played in a playoff game last season. They are one of the three teams that won at least one game. The Falcons have the personnel and coaching staff to be a problem, and if the Redskins were on the road, this game would probably garner top three consideration. This could be a contest that defines the season for the Redskins, depending on how they do leading up to this game.

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