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Redskins vs. Cardinals: 5 Bold predictions for NFL Week 1

By Jacob Camenker

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 30: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins stretches before the start of 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: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins stretches before the start of 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 – OCTOBER 29: Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after sacking quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 29: Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after sacking quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

3. Ryan Kerrigan totals two sacks

The Cardinals made some improvements to their line this offseason by drafting Mason Cole and signing Justin Pugh. That said, their tackles still aren’t particularly strong.

D.J. Humphries was improving before his 2017 season ended with an injury. However, Andre Smith is washed up at this point in his career and will have a lot of trouble manning the right tackle position. And that will be music to the ears of one Ryan Kerrigan.

Kerrigan is one of the most consistent pass rushers in the league, and he’s coming off the second-best sack total of his career (13 in ‘17). Now, he will have a chance to start off on the right foot against the Cardinals.

Kerrigan seems likely to line up across from Smith on most plays. Smith will have trouble dealing with Kerrigan’s unique combination of strength, speed, and skill and that could put a lot of pressure on Sam Bradford. Considering that Bradford isn’t very mobile and has been injury prone in the past, he may go down easily.

Kerrigan shouldn’t have a problem notching a sack in this contest. In fact, there’s a good chance that he will get multiple sacks and put a lot of pressure on Bradford and the Cardinals. If he can do that and work in tandem with the new, young, deep defensive line, the Redskins defense could have a big day in the desert.

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