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Redskins vs. Cardinals: Five players to watch in the 2018 season opener

By Ian Cummings

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 30: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins jogs off the field following a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 30: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins jogs off the field following a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 24: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Denver Broncos in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 24: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Denver Broncos in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

No. 1 – QB Alex Smith

New season, new quarterback.

The rate of quarterback turnover for the Redskins has legitimately been that severe over the past two decades. Kirk Cousins brought some degree of stability to the team, but that stability was limited by the fragmented nature of his franchise tags. Ultimately, the two sides couldn’t come to terms, and Cousins left for Minnesota.

The Redskins, meanwhile, looked to keep themselves afloat. With a roster building closer and closer to competitiveness, they didn’t want to start over at quarterback. And so that desire for professional continuity led the Redskins to trade for Alex Smith.

dark. Next. Redskins 2018 week-by-week season prediction

The cost was high, but Smith can win over the doubters with a solid outing in Week 1. While Jay Gruden is 0-4 in season openers with Washington, Smith is 4-0 in his last four debuts. Smith’s winning ways have been well-documented over the course of the offseason, and if he can bring some of that reliability to the Redskins’ offense, then they’ll be able to stay in the hunt.

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