Realistic predictions, expectations for Redskins vs. Bears in NFL Week 3

Two games in, this Redskins season is shaping up exactly like nobody predicted. If I didn’t know better, I’d think the whiplash I’m experiencing was the result of an intentional “bait and switch”.

All summer, Redskins fans have “known” two things:

1. The defense was going to be legit this year, and

2. The offense was really going to struggle, especially in the air.

Through two games, it’s the passing attack that has kept the team from being completely and utterly embarrassed, while the running game and defense have utterly imploded, one holding penalty and blown coverage at a time. Just exactly as I knew would be the case. Except nobody knew this would be the case.

Excuses are flying fast and furious. Everything from injuries, to vindictive refs, to “playing two really good offenses”. At the end of the day, the reality is, this team looks a whole lot like it has always looked under Jay Gruden: slight overperformance on offense (based on the personnel available) and a terrible defense that looks undisciplined, confused, and tired (all the time).

But, the NFL schedule stops for nobody’s slow start, so the Redskins get to work out the kinks that have them 0-2 against a hungry Bears team on Monday Night. Let’s jump into a few Reality Checks for this Week 3 home tilt.