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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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SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Paul Richardson #10 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Texans at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Paul Richardson #10 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Texans at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

2. Paul Richardson records over 150 receiving yards

The Redskins are going to have a chance to utilize all of their weapons on Sunday afternoon, and that should be excellent news for the team. The Cardinals are solid in coverage in most parts of the field, but their No. 2 corner position has been a perennial weakness. The Redskins will probably look to exploit this, and the question will be, which receiver do they want to use to do that?

The answer to that question isn’t simple. It seems that Jamison Crowder and Jordan Reed are set to be the middle-of-the-field threats for the Redskins. They will battle the safeties and slot corners of the Cardinals, and they should win some battles. On the outside, either Josh Doctson or Paul Richardson will face Patrick Peterson most of the time, but I’m anticipating that the Redskins plan will be to isolate Doctson in coverage over there because of his size.

All that said, this is going to open up the game for Richardson a lot. Richardson has game-breaking speed and if he matches up against Jamar Taylor and the other players the Cardinals attempt to play at corner, it could end up working out in the Redskins favor.

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If Richardson can break one long play against the Cardinals, he will have a chance to crack the century mark. If he becomes the No. 1 outside target in this contest, which is possible, he will have a chance to do even more. In fact, he could end up being a big playmaker in the first half and the Cardinals may have to make the decision to have Patrick Peterson shadow him.

Getting 150 receiving yards may seem like a lot, but it’s certainly a possibility for Richardson. If any receiver is going to break out in Week 1, he seems like the best bet. Perhaps we’re a bit overconfident in him this week, but hey. They’re called bold predictions for a reason

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