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Redskins Reality Check: Realistic predictions for the team in Week 1 vs. Cardinals

By Tim Payne

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 24: Running back Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins looks on before playing the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 24: Running back Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins looks on before playing the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Da’Ron Payne of Alabama after he was picked #13 overall by the Washington Redskins during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Da’Ron Payne of Alabama after he was picked #13 overall by the Washington Redskins during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

3. Reality is, we have no clue what the defense is going to look like.

Are the young guns up front going to be stout against the run or get lost like so many Redskin D-Lines of the past 20 years?  Are the safeties going to stay healthy?  Can Josh Norman get back to lock-down status?  Can Fabian and Quinton hold their own? Will anyone be able to contain David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald? I like our defensive upgrades this offseason.  I like the attitude coming out of training camp, but this is our first chance to see if these guys are different than last year’s squad or not.

I’d be thrilled if they kept Johnson under 100 yards rushing, forced at least one turnover, and held the Cards to under 50 percent on third downs on the way to a win.  I’ll be disappointed if the defense looks under-prepared or under-manned leading to a loss.

Prediction: I am optimistic that Kerrigan, D.J. Swearinger, and Jonathan Allen lead the way to an encouraging performance where we do relatively contain Johnson and force a turnover and get a win.  I expect to remain optimistic.

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4. Reality is, we don’t know what we’re going to get out of Jordan Reed and Chris Thompson.

When either of those guys was on the field the last two years (let alone both of them), the Redskins’ passing offense was dynamic.  When they were both injured, the Redskins’ offense looked like it was missing it’s two best playmakers…hmmm, wonder why?  With neither Reed nor Thompson showing up on the Week 1 injury report, expectations are understandably high. With neither Reed nor Thompson taking a single preseason snap, expectations are understandably muted.  See what I did there?

I’d be thrilled with a combined 12 catches for 180 yards, 6 carries for 30 yards, and 2 TDs. I’d be disappointed with under 150 scrimmage yards and no scores.

The reality is, I expect these guys to get 18 touches for 150 yards and 1 TD.  I expect to wish I had both on my fantasy team this week.

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