Let's Get Real

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

The Redskins' schedule the next five weeks is brutal. First, undefeated New England who is averaging 35.6 points per game, most in the league. Then New Orleans, who is 6th in the league at 26.6 points per game and just hung 52 on the New York Giants. Then undefeated Carolina, who is averaging 27 points per game. Then those same Giants, who just scored 49 points in a loss. Then Dallas, who will probably have Tony Romo back, on Monday Night Football.

We'll be lucky to come away with one win in the next three games and three wins in the next six games would be one hell of an accomplishment. The NFL really stuck it up our backsides here. Teams with winning records didn't get this draw. I think the two away games are a lost cause, at New England and at Carolina. I think we can slow New Orleans down more than the Giants did but we'll have to score more than the 21 points a game we've been averaging to win that one. The Giants at home don't scare me which is probably why we'll lose that one. Dallas on Monday Night always scares me which is probably why we'll win that one. If not I think we take it out on Chicago the following week.

I don't want to hear any nonsense about jobs being on the line over these games either. Not Cousins'. Not Gruden's. Keep that crap in the other hundred threads that have devolved into that discussion.

I'm going glass half-full here and calling it now: 3-3 in the next six games. What do you realistically expect the team to do?

[riggofan]

You never know man. Saints put up ungodly numbers v. the Giants, but they also lost to the Bucs 26-19. Anything can happen, and so much changes from week to week. I think we'll win one of those games we're not expecting to win.

I agree with your larger point though. I'll be pissed if people are out there the day after the Pats game calling for firings and benchings.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

You never know man. Saints put up ungodly numbers v. the Giants, but they also lost to the Bucs 26-19. Anything can happen, and so much changes from week to week. I think we'll win one of those games we're not expecting to win.

I agree with your larger point though. I'll be pissed if people are out there the day after the Pats game calling for firings and benchings.

I think the Saints game is the most winnable one of the first three. I also think I'd like to discuss something other than the inactive player at the end of the bench. Thus this thread.

[markshark84]

I would think BEST CASE scenario we win 2 of our next 5.

The only positive for the NO game is we are playing them at home. They are a much better team when they play in the dome.

Also -- we play the NYGs after their bye week..... who are 4-1 in last 5 after the bye since 2010.

We are 0-3 away and playing two undefeated teams. I think the chances in those are bleak.

The probability of us losing our next 4 is GOOD. If that happens --- the media will go crazy, fans who don't know any better will start mouthing off, Danny boy's ego will get hurt, and since he is so insecure you can expect him to get riled up. I don't think he'll fire anyone, but I am sure "rumors" will start. It'll be a typical redskins season in DC!!! Now, if it doesn't go down like that, my opinion will be that Scot had something to do with it because we know that Danny boy can't control himself.

[SKINS#1]

Regardless of # of wins, I think the Redskins are moving in right direction and with Scot making the decisions the Redskins will continue to improve. When all the injured players return I think the level of talent across the board will show a marked improvement.

The "wait until next year" song is old song for the Redskins but I am a lot more optimistic now than I have been in the past.

[StorminMormon86]

Next 6 games?

Realistically, we can beat the Saints, the Bears, and the Giants. Not saying we will, but I am thinking we could. I'm leaning more towards 2-4 over the next 6 games, with a shocking upset (Panthers or Cowboys) being possible.

[DEHog]

I think the question is not "will we lose" but "how we lose". I think we all know that if we are at least competitive it will be much eaiser to swallow. We are getting some much needed help after the bye!! With only being a game out, I expect the team to play with great energy. I can see us being in everyone of these games...winning 2 or 3 of them.

[oj]

This is the test by fire. I see maybe 2 wins. What I hope to see is a team being forged not beaten.

[OldSchool]

I hadn't really looked ahead until this week and I agree. I was hoping NO would be a W and than I watched them and they are good. The Pats and Panthers are too good. I see 3 losses and the drama in full swing in DC until we start to get back into games that we can compete. The Bears and the Bills are on the schedule plus 2 against Dallas, an Eagle and a Giants game that look like competitive games.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

I think the question is not "will we lose" but "how we lose". I think we all know that if we are at least competitive it will be much eaiser to swallow. We are getting some much needed help after the bye!! With only being a game out, I expect the team to play with great energy. I can see us being in everyone of these games...winning 2 or 3 of them.

I agree with this. I don't think we can score with New England but their defense isn't all that good. They have the luxury of playing in a garbage division. We should be able to put up some points on them and make them uncomfortable in their offense. New Orleans has no defense as we witnessed this weekend. I expect a shootout. Carolina will be the real test because they are good on both sides of the ball but I like our chances to be in a low scoring game. Honestly, the two games I expect us to be up for the most are the division games at home. If we aren't ready to kick some ass in those then we haven't grown and developed much this season. I hope to lose no more than one of these games by double digits. I expect the team to be competitive and play to win.

[SkinsJock]

as Tom Brady has said this week - "every game every week is a tough game to win - each and every game is very different and you have to prepare very carefully in order to be successful" - I think he knows a little more about the NFL than the OP who obviously know V little

I'm looking forward to this because this is a great test for our team - this is a very good defense and Tom Brady is the best QB ever

we are in a rebuilding process and the win loss record is not as important to me as it is to DEHog and others - we need to see improvement and while we have seen some, we need to find out more about the coaches and players as Scot and the FO continue to find out who is going to be a part of this roster in the coming years - playing against the really good teams is a good test for a bunch of these guys

[KILO]

If they somehow reestablish the run game that they are supposed to be working on I like our chances in all the games. Kirk is playing confidently and he'll have Reed and Desean back. Fingers crossed for 5-1

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Pist off Kirk shows up, goes HAM with The return of DJax, Reed stays healthy and goes GRONK, Guys like Crowder, Jones(who?), Rossdaboss, step it up, AlMo losing carries plays angry giving us the much needed incredible 1-2 punch, dbs get healthy and help the front 7, Capital Punishment lives up to the potential, Gruden harnesses his brothers mojo (and just does better in all areas he needs to improve on); 6-0 baby!!!

You like that?! YOU like THAT!!

[hitmandm]

I would think BEST CASE scenario we win 2 of our next 5.

The only positive for the NO game is we are playing them at home. They are a much better team when they play in the dome.

Also -- we play the NYGs after their bye week..... who are 4-1 in last 5 after the bye since 2010.

We are 0-3 away and playing two undefeated teams. I think the chances in those are bleak.

The probability of us losing our next 4 is GOOD. If that happens --- the media will go crazy, fans who don't know any better will start mouthing off, Danny boy's ego will get hurt, and since he is so insecure you can expect him to get riled up. I don't think he'll fire anyone, but I am sure "rumors" will start. It'll be a typical redskins season in DC!!! Now, if it doesn't go down like that, my opinion will be that Scot had something to do with it because we know that Danny boy can't control himself.

Good analysis as any on schedule. Spot on about the Saints.

Redskins must run the ball and stop the run. They cant do either at the moment. If they can do that, Fat Gruden may make it to the end of the season before he joins the buffet line every Sunday watching the NFL from home.

I love how the media says the Redskins want this and don't want that, but Dan Snyder wants... Wake up. Fat Gruden isn't the Redskins. Scotty isn't the Redskins. Dan Snyder IS the Redskins and will be for a very long time. Everyone else is expendable. It is like that with all the NFL teams. Owners get what they want.

[SkinsJock]

0-5 - the record is not as important as how we play - if we go 0-5 and play very well, it really is not that big a deal ... but, if we go 0-5 or 2-5 and look terrible, it just does not help the guys that are fighting for their livelihood

We could be 5-9 or even 6-8 - the MOST important thing is to show we are competitive ... even if we lose

this season is getting close to being all about next season ... as usual



this game this week is a huge test of character - Pats are really good - playing well against them & losing would still be a huge lift for the team

[Irn-Bru]

I think the question is not "will we lose" but "how we lose". I think we all know that if we are at least competitive it will be much eaiser to swallow. We are getting some much needed help after the bye!! With only being a game out, I expect the team to play with great energy. I can see us being in everyone of these games...winning 2 or 3 of them.

Agreed. It's much more important to me that we look like a team playing for something than that we win these. Gotta start building on the culture change.

[mastdark81]

I think the question is not "will we lose" but "how we lose". I think we all know that if we are at least competitive it will be much eaiser to swallow. We are getting some much needed help after the bye!! With only being a game out, I expect the team to play with great energy. I can see us being in everyone of these games...winning 2 or 3 of them.

Agreed. It's much more important to me that we look like a team playing for something than that we win these. Gotta start building on the culture change.

They have been talking about culture change since Joe Gibbs 2.0 and Mike Shanahan. The culture already have changed...it naturally changes with different coaches and players and new start of the season. It is time for the players to start finding a way to win games. What type of fan base are we to expect just to "somewhat" look like a team haha?

The bar is very low. No wonder the majority satisfied with Jay Gruden. Yeah you cannot build a great team overnight and we both know we cannot buy a Super Bowl team but with the team we have they are not getting the best out of the players we have.

Looking at Carolina last night with an offense with virtually no one except Greg Olsen putting up points week and week out. It is okay to expect more even though we may not have the best talent. Other teams are doing it.

[Mississippi Hog]

I think we can win a couple of those games. I will hope for 6-0, but know it isn't likely. The Saints are inconsistent. The Panthers are beatable. We usually play the Pukes pretty tight, and Breeland/Hall can stop Dez. The Giants depends on which Eli shows up. We can take out the Bears and Bills. I think we can get to at least 7 wins on the season, maybe more if Kirk continues to improve.

As to the "NFL Sticking it to us via schedule, I don't think they expected the Panthers to be that good, the Bears to be that bad, or the Saints to be so wishy washy. At the start of the season, we most probably predicted we compete with the panthers, lose to the saints, and bears, and would call the Bills a toss up as an equally bad team. Our division is what it is. It is our division. Early year predictions are usually a wash. Who would have expected P. Manning to be struggling so much, the Bears to be so bad, the 49ers to SUCK, the Dolphins to fire their coach (Many had them as SB contenders), and the Jets to be playing at such a high level? NO ONE! Get off the conspiracy theory.

With that said, HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!! 9-0 THE REST OF THE WAY!!!

[DEHog]

I think we can win a couple of those games. I will hope for 6-0, but know it isn't likely. The Saints are inconsistent. The Panthers are beatable. We usually play the Pukes pretty tight, and Breeland/Hall can stop Dez. The Giants depends on which Eli shows up. We can take out the Bears and Bills. I think we can get to at least 7 wins on the season, maybe more if Kirk continues to improve.

As to the "NFL Sticking it to us via schedule, I don't think they expected the Panthers to be that good, the Bears to be that bad, or the Saints to be so wishy washy. At the start of the season, we most probably predicted we compete with the panthers, lose to the saints, and bears, and would call the Bills a toss up as an equally bad team. Our division is what it is. It is our division. Early year predictions are usually a wash. Who would have expected P. Manning to be struggling so much, the Bears to be so bad, the 49ers to SUCK, the Dolphins to fire their coach (Many had them as SB contenders), and the Jets to be playing at such a high level? NO ONE! Get off the conspiracy theory.

With that said, HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!! 9-0 THE REST OF THE WAY!!!

The NFL doesn’t “stick it” to any teams in regards to who they play. Schedules are always predetermined, with two games being dictated by where you finished in your division. Now if you want to talk about how we have to play three teams coming off a bye and the Pats off of ten days rest…that’s another story.

[riggofan]

I think we can win a couple of those games. I will hope for 6-0, but know it isn't likely. The Saints are inconsistent. The Panthers are beatable. We usually play the Pukes pretty tight, and Breeland/Hall can stop Dez. The Giants depends on which Eli shows up. We can take out the Bears and Bills. I think we can get to at least 7 wins on the season, maybe more if Kirk continues to improve.

If people are honest, 7 wins was the "best case" prediction for most fans a few months ago. Six or seven wins would be progress.

I think we can win or lose any of those games including the Saints and Panthers. Patriots are really the only game that seems like a snowball's chance. We'd probably be better off forfeiting that one and using at as an additional BYE week to get healthier!!!

[DEHog]

We'd probably be better off forfeiting that one and using at as an additional BYE week to get healthier!!!

Agreed..the Pats are!!

[Deadskins]

I think we can win a couple of those games. I will hope for 6-0, but know it isn't likely. The Saints are inconsistent. The Panthers are beatable. We usually play the Pukes pretty tight, and Breeland/Hall can stop Dez. The Giants depends on which Eli shows up. We can take out the Bears and Bills. I think we can get to at least 7 wins on the season, maybe more if Kirk continues to improve.

As to the "NFL Sticking it to us via schedule, I don't think they expected the Panthers to be that good, the Bears to be that bad, or the Saints to be so wishy washy. At the start of the season, we most probably predicted we compete with the panthers, lose to the saints, and bears, and would call the Bills a toss up as an equally bad team. Our division is what it is. It is our division. Early year predictions are usually a wash. Who would have expected P. Manning to be struggling so much, the Bears to be so bad, the 49ers to SUCK, the Dolphins to fire their coach (Many had them as SB contenders), and the Jets to be playing at such a high level? NO ONE! Get off the conspiracy theory.

With that said, HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!! 9-0 THE REST OF THE WAY!!!

Which shEli shows up depends on if you can pressure her. Hit her a few times and she folds like a cheap umbrella.

And the NFL can't stick it to anybody on their schedule as far as the teams we play. Every year you play the teams in your division twice, another division in each of the conferences on a rotating schedule, and the two teams from the other divisions in your conference that finished in the same place in their division as you did in yours. The only thing the NFL schedulers decide is where and when the games are played.

Edit: ^^^ What DE said faster than I could.

[Mississippi Hog]

I was referring to the original post about the "Sticking it to us". He used different words, but I was saying the same thing y'all are. It is a set schedule of who we play. We typically know all but maybe 2 of those teams a season or two before. Aren't two games SOS games?

[Deadskins]

I was referring to the original post about the "Sticking it to us". He used different words, but I was saying the same thing y'all are. It is a set schedule of who we play. We typically know all but maybe 2 of those teams a season or two before. Aren't two games SOS games?

Every year you play the teams in your division twice, another division in each of the conferences on a rotating schedule, and the two teams from the other divisions in your conference that finished in the same place in their division as you did in yours. The only thing the NFL schedulers decide is where and when the games are played.

So more like strength of finish than strength of schedule.

[Irn-Bru]

I think the question is not "will we lose" but "how we lose". I think we all know that if we are at least competitive it will be much eaiser to swallow. We are getting some much needed help after the bye!! With only being a game out, I expect the team to play with great energy. I can see us being in everyone of these games...winning 2 or 3 of them.

Agreed. It's much more important to me that we look like a team playing for something than that we win these. Gotta start building on the culture change.

They have been talking about culture change since Joe Gibbs 2.0 and Mike Shanahan. The culture already have changed...it naturally changes with different coaches and players and new start of the season. It is time for the players to start finding a way to win games. What type of fan base are we to expect just to "somewhat" look like a team haha?

The bar is very low. No wonder the majority satisfied with Jay Gruden. Yeah you cannot build a great team overnight and we both know we cannot buy a Super Bowl team but with the team we have they are not getting the best out of the players we have.

Looking at Carolina last night with an offense with virtually no one except Greg Olsen putting up points week and week out. It is okay to expect more even though we may not have the best talent. Other teams are doing it.

Generally, I do expect the Redskins to win. When we aren't, I'm not happy with the state of the team.

When saying that it's important that we look like a team playing for something (not, as you quoted it, "to 'somewhat' look like a team"), I was talking specifically about the 5-game stretch in front of us. It's a tough slate of games. Given the strengths and weaknesses of our 2015 squad versus the teams we'll be facing, I don't expect us to win most of them. But I know we're capable of competing in them, so that's what I want to see.