Is it too early for predictions for the Houston opener?

[DarthMonk]

I see a very conservative game plan, lots of running the ball and passing limited mostly to screens etc of different varieties. The game will be won on defense.
Skins 10 (maybe 6) Houston 3
Itll be a low scoring battle in the pits and our defense will prevail moreso than the offense.
The unk-unks are special teams play, that might be a problem.

I've got $20 at 100 to 1 that says the Redskins do not end up with exactly 6 points.

You in, oj??

[DarthMonk]

I say the Redskins will have more passing plays than running plays.

I do think our defense is ahead of our offense right now.

[oj]

I say the Redskins will have more passing plays than running plays.

I do think our defense is ahead of our offense right now.

I see your score prediction and you might be right. But I see the defense being the dominant factor, the offence focus on ball control, execution and keeping Houstan off the field. I don't see a passing attack at all, unless they been hiding something during preseason. Thats why I predict a low score. No, i dont bet. I'd as soon watch a game with your score, i just don't see it happening yet.

[DarthMonk]

^^^ My score is based on defensive domination as Fitzpatrick has a horrible day. Most of the evidence points to more passes than runs - even if we are conservative.

I'll take 6-3 too but there's almost no way that's going to happen.

[FLWSkin]

I think people are being a little over dramatic about the offense they saw in the preseason. It wasn't that bad.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

I people are being a little over dramatic about the offense they saw in the preseason. I wasn't that bad.

Sssssshhhhhh dont let them hear you! Lmao I agree.. and while I wont at all be surprised to see the cork pooped off the O and sparks flying- I think a balanced approach and time consuming drives is the smarter way to get it going. Our starters moved the ball with ease and layedboff the throttle on two goal line stands. -Im not worried

However, its well documented and shows that our D has been ahead of the O (I think thats normal as it takes time for oline to gel and for qbs to develop that chemistry) and I forbone like that. Taking some of the pressure off the O will be essential for the D and a great help.

[FanofallthatisGibbs]

People will cringe when they read this, but RGIII needs to use his legs and not stand in the pocket. I want him running and making moves on the field to loosen the defense, and then he'll be able to deliver some big plays through the air having bought .5-1 sec more. We cannot be afraid to use our QB and his skills, otherwise we are foolishly using the wrong QB. Alfred Morris can do the rest in the second half to run home with a victory.

Bob is not a pocket passer and will get crushed through no fault of his own with the current O-line against the Houston D-line. If he cannot at the bare minimum get out of the pocket and throw on the run, I see little chance for a Redskins victory. It doesn't matter who is catching the ball or running routes if the QB has no time to survey the field and deliver the package. I hope the coaches share this view and prepare accordingly on offense. However, my guess is that they will want RGIII "protecting himself" which ironically will be his and the team's undoing.

Please prove me wrong Coach Gruden!!

27-23 Redskins over Texans

[riggofan]

People will cringe when they read this, but RGIII needs to use his legs and not stand in the pocket.

Yeah I agree with pieces of what you just wrote. I'd like to see RGIII still using his legs, threatening to run but still looking down the field to pass. He did that really effectively in 2012 and kept defenses on their heels. He just needs to be smarter about it, you know? Be willing to step out of bounds, willing to toss the ball away and avoid the hits.

I don't really agree though that there is some issue that RGIII isn't a pocket passer or can't pass from there. The offensive line just isn't that good yet. Its hard to be a pocket passer when there isn't a pocket.

[SkinsJock]

People will cringe when they read this, but RGIII needs to use his legs and not stand in the pocket. I want him running and making moves on the field to loosen the defense, and then he'll be able to deliver some big plays through the air having bought .5-1 sec more. We cannot be afraid to use our QB and his skills, otherwise we are foolishly using the wrong QB. Alfred Morris can do the rest in the second half to run home with a victory.

Bob is not a pocket passer and will get crushed through no fault of his own with the current O-line against the Houston D-line. If he cannot at the bare minimum get out of the pocket and throw on the run, I see little chance for a Redskins victory. It doesn't matter who is catching the ball or running routes if the QB has no time to survey the field and deliver the package. I hope the coaches share this view and prepare accordingly on offense. However, my guess is that they will want RGIII "protecting himself" which ironically will be his and the team's undoing.

Please prove me wrong Coach Gruden!!

27-23 Redskins over Texans

I think you're reading a lot more into what's really happening here - Griffin is a work in progress as far as the type of QB that Jay and Sean want him to be and for sure he's not behind a very good O line at this time - I feel that Jay and Sean will utilize his athleticism and his smarts a lot better than they've showed so far and they have some weapons that will cause some matchup problems

the biggest issue would seem to be the O line and I think that Jay and Sean will find a way for Griffin to mitigate that a bit

I'm looking for a few surprises this coming Sunday

[oj]

^^^ My score is based on defensive domination as Fitzpatrick has a horrible day. Most of the evidence points to more passes than runs - even if we are conservative.

I'll take 6-3 too but there's almost no way that's going to happen.

How do you see Houston scoring 2 TDs? Air? ground or one of each?
I'll be surprised if they see the red zone, I am that confident in our defense and Houstons' offense certainly ain't clicking on all cylinders yet. I'd go as high as 10-6 Skins.

[OldSchool]

Griffin will be running a lot trying to escape the Houston rush. The line will get the blame on this board but Griffin's lack of pocket passing skills will be the real problem but I think he'll do enough with his feet to win. Houston doesn't have a polished NFL QB in their line up either.

[SkinsJock]

In 2013 Texans were ranked 7 in total D - 3 against the pass and 25 against the run - they managed only 2 wins with Watt & Cushing

the Texans were 31 in scoring offense and the Redskins were 31 in scoring defense

they have not gotten a lot better offensively and I believe we have improved our defense

this is a case where the team with the better play from the QB wins the game

[DarthMonk]

^^^ My score is based on defensive domination as Fitzpatrick has a horrible day. Most of the evidence points to more passes than runs - even if we are conservative.

I'll take 6-3 too but there's almost no way that's going to happen.

How do you see Houston scoring 2 TDs? Air? ground or one of each?
I'll be surprised if they see the red zone, I am that confident in our defense and Houstons' offense certainly ain't clicking on all cylinders yet. I'd go as high as 10-6 Skins.

Why does 27-13 make you think 2 TDs for Houston??

One trip to the endzone is certainly more than possible. They could return a punt or kick. They could get behind our defense or we could miss one tackle. They could strip sack Griff and run one in on defense. Heck, they could even put together one drive.

I'll take the over on 16 total points.

[oj]

^^^ My score is based on defensive domination as Fitzpatrick has a horrible day. Most of the evidence points to more passes than runs - even if we are conservative.

I'll take 6-3 too but there's almost no way that's going to happen.

How do you see Houston scoring 2 TDs? Air? ground or one of each?
I'll be surprised if they see the red zone, I am that confident in our defense and Houstons' offense certainly ain't clicking on all cylinders yet. I'd go as high as 10-6 Skins.

Why does 27-13 make you think 2 TDs for Houston??


Your prediction was 20-16 Skins

[StorminMormon86]

I see a low scoring game, honestly. I don't think Fitzpatrick will perform too well against our defense (hoping they play as well as they did in the preseason). But I don't think our offense will be firing on all cylinders just yet, especially against a pretty stacked Houston D. I can't say for sure who comes out on top, but I think it will be a last minute (or quarter) field goal that gives the other team the edge.

[riggofan]

I see a low scoring game, honestly. I don't think Fitzpatrick will perform too well against our defense (hoping they play as well as they did in the preseason). But I don't think our offense will be firing on all cylinders just yet, especially against a pretty stacked Houston D. I can't say for sure who comes out on top, but I think it will be a last minute (or quarter) field goal that gives the other team the edge.

I'm with you man, its a really tough game to know what to expect. Fitzpatrick always seems to have a couple decent games every year. They could be in worse position at QB IMO, and that's a tough defense.

Kinda feel like I have to give the edge to the Texans just because its their home game.

What I'm really hoping to see this game is that our running game just explodes. It would be awesome if the story in September is Alfred Morris rather than RGIII.

[DarthMonk]

Why does 27-13 make you think 2 TDs for Houston??

Your prediction was 20-16 Skins

Two things, oj:

1) After that prediction I wrote this ...

Honestly I think most people dislike RG because they are jealous of his talent and his life and endorsements etc.

I think most haters fall into this category.

Back on topic ...

I'm starting to feel a horrible game from Fitzpatrick with Mallett breathing down his neck.

How does 27-13 sound?

... and you replied to it.

2)

Even at 20-16, why does that make you think 2 TDs for Houston?? 16 usually comes for a TD, a PAT, and 3 FGs.

[StorminMormon86]

What I'm really hoping to see this game is that our running game just explodes. It would be awesome if the story in September is Alfred Morris rather than RGIII.

In all honesty, and I know a lot of people are going to disagree with me, but I've always felt Morris should have been the story of 2012, not Griffin. Morris, being a 6th round "sleeper" pick, lit it up, and pretty much single handedly won that Dallas Game by himself, which clinched us the division.

[OldSchool]

People will cringe when they read this, but RGIII needs to use his legs and not stand in the pocket. I want him running and making moves on the field to loosen the defense, and then he'll be able to deliver some big plays through the air having bought .5-1 sec more. We cannot be afraid to use our QB and his skills, otherwise we are foolishly using the wrong QB. Alfred Morris can do the rest in the second half to run home with a victory.

Bob is not a pocket passer and will get crushed through no fault of his own with the current O-line against the Houston D-line. If he cannot at the bare minimum get out of the pocket and throw on the run, I see little chance for a Redskins victory. It doesn't matter who is catching the ball or running routes if the QB has no time to survey the field and deliver the package. I hope the coaches share this view and prepare accordingly on offense. However, my guess is that they will want RGIII "protecting himself" which ironically will be his and the team's undoing.

Please prove me wrong Coach Gruden!!

27-23 Redskins over Texans

Your post assumes that it is the lines fault if Griffin doesn't read and release before protection breaks down. Why isn't it Griffin's fault? When does it every become his fault for not knowing his job well enough to perform?

How come it is no fault of Griffin he's not a capable pocket passer? He's in his 3rd NFL season now when does it become his fault if he is incompetent in year 4, 5, 6, 7, or never?

[OldSchool]

I predict a close win. Griffin will do enough backyard stuff to eek out a win.

[oj]

Why does 27-13 make you think 2 TDs for Houston??

Your prediction was 20-16 Skins

Two things, oj:

1) After that prediction I wrote this ...

Honestly I think most people dislike RG because they are jealous of his talent and his life and endorsements etc.

I think most haters fall into this category.

Back on topic ...

I'm starting to feel a horrible game from Fitzpatrick with Mallett breathing down his neck.

How does 27-13 sound?

... and you replied to it.

2)

Even at 20-16, why does that make you think 2 TDs for Houston?? 16 usually comes for a TD, a PAT, and 3 FGs.

Yes, i misread/misinterpreted the '16', that is an awkward number and my mind said '2 field goals'.
We're on the same page and expect to see the same things it is a discussion of magnitude not performance.

[DarthMonk]

Yes, i misread/misinterpreted the '16', that is an awkward number and my mind said '2 field goals'.
We're on the same page and expect to see the same things it is a discussion of magnitude not performance.

C00l.

Sorry if I came off like a jerk ... so to speak.

[gushogs]

Just win baby!
Hail yeah

[welch]

Too early to guess a result. We'll know more about this year's team after the first real game. I think the defense looks better than last year; the receivers are better; the Shanahans did little to teach Griffin to play QB in the NFL. In pre-season, I saw him dive for a first down and get hit the way a running back gets hit by a defense. Painful. Johnny Unitas and Sonny Jurgensen never tried to run over defenders.

On the history: George Preston Marshall was an egotistical and blundering owner who (1) wanted to coach, just like George Halas; (2) purposely kept the Redskins an all-white team in the late '50s. Shirley Povich had a running argument with Marshall. (I still remember a column that began something like, "Born the wrong color to play for the Redskins, Jim Brown, instead, integrated the Washington end-zone four times as the Browns crushed...etc").

This changed when Stewart Udall, JFK's Secretary of the Interior, promised to forbid the Redskins from playing in DC Stadium unless they integrated. After Marshall claimed that he was trying to get the Browns to trade Bobby Mitchell to the Skins for MC Reynolds (Washington's third-string QB), Marshall finally agreed to trade the team's first round pick for Mitchell. (Povich column on the Reynolds-for-Mitchell offer was another classic) First round pick was Ernie Davis, a great RB at Syracuse who was found to have leukemia and who died before playing an NFL game, incidentally. After Marshall had some kind of stroke, Edward Bennett Williams ran the team using Marshall's power of attorney. The team behaved, then, like any other team...

If it matters, I think Doug Williams belongs in the Hall of the Very Good. His play declined after SB 22, but he had a string of injuries. Vague memory tells me that finally his knee came apart while working on an exercise bike.

[SkinsJock]

sorry ...