For Redskins, stretch run of 2020 campaign will be an excellent test
The Washington Redskins will have a tough end to the 2020 campaign that could build momentum into 2021.
The NFL schedule was released a couple of weeks ago and as expected, the Washington Redskins don’t have an easy-looking one. Things will change in the lead-up to the 2020 season, but for the time being, their schedule certainly would qualify as difficult.
Given the state of the Redskins, that may not necessarily be a bad thing. This is a rebuilding year for the team. They have added a lot of depth and competition to the roster, but they still have some significant holes at tight end, cornerback, and on the left side of the offensive line, to name a few. The team may see some players and step up into those roles, and looking for those surprise contributors will be one of the big things to watch in 2020.
The other storylines to keep an eye on will be how this young team responds to adversity, how they build a culture under Ron Rivera, and how they finish out the season. Because the end of their 2020 campaign looks daunting on paper.
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The Redskins gauntlet starts in Week 12 when they play the Dallas Cowboys on the road for Thanksgiving. From there, they travel to Pittsburgh and San Francisco to take on the Steelers and 49ers, come home to play the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers, and finish the season on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles.
That stretch includes three 2020 playoff teams, two divisional rivals, a potentially emotional game for Rivera against his former team, and a matchup with the NFC’s 2020 Super Bowl representative. That definitely doesn’t look easy. But it is an opportunity for the team to build some momentum if they can finish the season strong.
If the Redskins can win one of the three tough road games to start the stretch, that’d be great news. If they can win in Week 16 to avenge Rivera’s firing by the Panthers, that would be good too. And perhaps if they can follow that up with a Week 17 win over the Eagles, they’d be in good shape heading into the next season coming off back-to-back wins.
Even if they can’t win, staying competitive in most of those games will definitely be a good look for them. And though the six-week stretch will be difficult, it could set them up for success if the young offense can generate some push on some of the tougher defenses they’ll be facing.
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It’s far too early to prognosticate exactly how each of these teams will look. Or what the Redskins’ best interest will be when playing those games. But Rivera will look at the final six games of the season as an opportunity and it will be interesting to see how Washington responds to that.