Redskins at Cardinals - Pregame

[DarthMonk]

As bad as the D looked early against Seattle, they played with a lot of emotion and energy. We took on blocks and played through the whistle in a way we did not the week before. I think our biggest challenge in Arizona will be bringing an adequate level of defensive intensity. My hope is that we will act like the better team and punch them in the mouth first instead of getting knocked on our heels and going into semi give up mode.

I am confident the offense will move the ball at least as well as we did against Seattle. If the specials can just play fundamentally sound and the defense shows up, we have a decent chance.

PS ~ Maybe Kai can reach the endzone a few times in dry 70 degree weather.

[OldSchool]

The defense and special teams need to be positives on Sunday, not all world but solid. The defense may get a break if the rookie QB starts for the Cardinals but I suspect Stanton will play and turn in a solid game, the defense needs to get a turnover and help. The special teams need to cover and hold up their end this week.

After 5 games the Redskin offense is ranked 15 and has been productive 3 out of the 4 Cousins' games. Arizona is tough to run against so hopefully the Skins can do some damage with screen passes to help keep Kirk protected. I'd like to see a smart disciplined game from him like he had against Seattle, that would probably be enough for a win if the special teams and defense hold up their end.

Redskins 27 Cardinals 24

[SkinsJock]

^^ OK OS - I have a prediction - I think Kirk plays a great game and we win .... as long as the rest of the team plays really well too

get out of here - you are not a Redskins fan .. you are a troll

[Burgundy&Wha?]

Great Defense and Special Teams can put a quarterback who throws for 200 yards a game on cereal boxes. See Russell Wilson.

[HogHeaven1983]

Skins currently 1-4

They look destined to go 0-6 in the nfc east

If you think the skins might finish the season 4-12
They will need to pick up 3 more wins somewhere ..

So the question is, can they go 3-4 in these remaining non-division games?

Cardinals
Titans
Vikings
Bucs
49ers
Colts
Rams

I suppose a win against Arizona could be in the cards (no pun intended)
Still if I was betting, I would probably bet against the redskins -- it's hard to overcome a bad defense and god awful special teams.

The redskins struggle on kick coverage, can't seem to kickoff like a pro team (what's with pooch kickoffs?), struggle to make short FG's or extra points.
Add to that tons of penalties, fumbles, interceptions, along with bad coaching -- it really makes it hard to win.

[EA7649]

As bad as the D looked early against Seattle, they played with a lot of emotion and energy. We took on blocks and played through the whistle in a way we did not the week before. I think our biggest challenge in Arizona will be bringing an adequate level of defensive intensity. My hope is that we will act like the better team and punch them in the mouth first instead of getting knocked on our heels and going into semi give up mode.

I am confident the offense will move the ball at least as well as we did against Seattle. If the specials can just play fundamentally sound and the defense shows up, we have a decent chance.

PS ~ Maybe Kai can reach the endzone a few times in dry 70 degree weather.

I agree the defense should be above average and think its very important to establish the run game. And lol idk about Kai he's not one to kick it far and it would be greatly appreciated.

[EA7649]

Skins currently 1-4

They look destined to go 0-6 in the nfc east

If you think the skins might finish the season 4-12
They will need to pick up 3 more wins somewhere ..

So the question is, can they go 3-4 in these remaining non-division games?

Cardinals
Titans
Vikings
Bucs
49ers
Colts
Rams

I suppose a win against Arizona could be in the cards (no pun intended)
Still if I was betting, I would probably bet against the redskins -- it's hard to overcome a bad defense and god awful special teams.

The redskins struggle on kick coverage, can't seem to kickoff like a pro team (what's with pooch kickoffs?), struggle to make short FG's or extra points.
Add to that tons of penalties, fumbles, interceptions, along with bad coaching -- it really makes it hard to win.

Even the games we "should win" are still going to be difficult.
The Bucs beat the Steelers, played the NO, Carolina and STL close.
The Rams were close the Cowboys and Austin Davis showed he can play the second half of the Eagles game.
The Vikings beat the Falcons but we'll see if they are anything this year. Big + we were supposed to be them last season and we lost.
The Titans had mostly difficult opponents so far this season maybe they carry themselves to play better against a not as good team.

[OldSchool]

I am more optimistic. I think the Skins can do much better than 0-6 against their division rivals and better than 3-4 against the rest. The Skins have played two weak teams thus far the Jags and the Texans. Cousins shredded the Jags but Griffin was ineffective against the Texans. The rest of the teams they faced were better ranging from a pretty good Giants team to very good Seattle team and a good Eagles team in Philly. The Redskins were within 1 score at the end against Philly and Seattle and didn't finish. They imploded against the Giants, but I think the competitive performances against the Super Bowl and division champs are something to built on and I am hopeful they will and start winning.

Going forward there are several teams on the schedule the Skins can beat if they can improve modestly, will they improve? Sure the special teams and pass defense could remain awful and the Skins could limp all the way to 3-13 or 4-12 finish but they could also improve. I see enough in rush defense and Cousins led offense to hope with some additional improvements and better play from the special teams and defense the Skins can get to 9-7 or even 10-6. I won't criticize anyone who thinks things are too bladly broken for a winning year but this fan thinks the Skins are ready to start winning now and a victory at Arizona could really ignite them.

[oj]

I'm optimistic as ever. I don't see the defense as being all that bad, the offense has to help them out a little.
I don't like Grudens' play calling, I think he is a smart guy and is learning. If he calls a conservative game that takes advantage of our talent - not the talent we'd like to have, but talent that we do have - then we can have a solid offensive game. I'd like to see Helu in the game a little more, I think he scares the dickens out of any defense and that has got to present other oppertunities.
I think this game will be the turnaround for the team, this is where they'll recover thier pride and start on a roll. They can do it.
Go Skins!

[OldSchool]

Nice post OJ, I agree I would like to see a lot of Helu today. Helu's pass catching on dump offs, screens and shuffle passes could subsistute for a running game. I don't recall Gruden using a shuffle pass but I'd like to see some of that today. AZ is tough to run against so I don't expect Morris to have a big day. I'd love to see the Skins get enough push to give Morris 18-20 carries but that might not be possible against a stout AZ rush defense so I agree with you Helu's contributions could be the difference.