Redskins: Five bold predictions for Monday Night Football in Week 3

No. 4 – Redskins QB Case Keenum throws two interceptions

Case Keenum has done a decent job playing it safe with the football this season, and he’s been the quality bridge many expected him to be. He certainly hasn’t been an unequivocal negative, but to say he’s been an absolute positive might be grasping at straws.

With the Redskins sitting at 0-2, it’s easy to look for silver linings, and Keenum’s touchdown-to-interception ratio of 5-0 qualifies. But Keenum’s stats inflate the positive production he’s had thus far. In his best moments, he’s made timely plays, and he’s been the cog to complete an underrated passing attack. In his worst moments, he’s been inconsistent and replaceable, limiting the offense’s potential and tossing would-be-interceptions at a startling clip, particularly against Dallas.

It’s hard to know what to expect from Keenum in Week 3, but optimists should be weary. The Bears defense is still the menacing unit it was last season, and the team as a whole is tied for No. 7 in the NFL in sacks, with 7.0 through two weeks. Khalil Mack, Leonard Floyd, Akiem Hicks, Roy Robertson-Harris, and Eddie Goldman have all been getting consistent pressure, and they’ll bring the heat against Washington’s offensive line.

We’ve already seen flashes of volatility from Keenum this season, and that volatility could be brought to the forefront by Chicago’s front seven. Keenum traditionally doesn’t perform well against pressure, with his 2017 season being an outlier, and he doesn’t historically perform well on Monday nights, either. Note that the sample size is low, but Keenum has played in four Monday night games in his career. In those games, he’s 1-3, 78 for 126 passing, for 717 yards, three touchdowns, and five picks.

If the competition wasn’t what it is on this coming Monday, perhaps Keenum could break the trend. But the Bears will bring pressure, and get pressure, and they’ll make Keenum uncomfortable, forcing him to make mistakes.