Redskins Game by Game Prediction: Weeks 4-8

Week 4 at Raiders

Matt Flynn

This is probably one of the easier if not the easiest game on the Redskins schedule. However, as most Redskins fans know that has never seemed to matter much. The Redskins have often lost against weaker competition throughout the years. Last year was better but there was still the game against the Rams that should have been a win. The Raiders though, do not look like a team that is going to surprise you. It sounds like their quarterback situation is laughable with the lack of talent and I would not expect an upset here even if it is an away game on the west coast.

Prediction: Redskins 27, Raiders 10

Week 5 Bye

Unfortunately the Redskins have a bye week early on this year. It looked like a good thing originally because it would give RGIII more time to recover but at this point it seems he will be ready to go earlier than most thought. It still might be nice for Griffin to get an early bye after coming back from an injury so recently. It will also give the Redskins more time to get healthy and prepare for their next game which is one of the most important.

Week 6 at Cowboys

Hall and Bryant go at it

This is one of the biggest games of the year as it is against the Cowboys. Last year the Redskins won both games versus the Cowboys with one of them being the last game of the season which pushed the Skins into the playoffs. Not to mention Redskins seemed to have Tony Romo's number last year intercepting him 5 times. However, in the NFC East it is almost impossible to predict what is going to happen. Dallas is possibly the most talented team in the division and I would argue the Redskins biggest threat to the division crown. Demarcus Ware, while aging, is one of the best defensive players in the league and Tony Romo is in my opinion the most underrated quarterback in the NFL. Romo's major flaw however, is that he has the tendency to try and make too many plays and turn the ball over. As shown by last years performances against the Cowboys the Redskins defense has the ability to take advantage of Romo. In reality he is not the biggest problem for the Redskins and neither is Ware. Instead the problem is Dez Bryant. In two games versus the Redskins Bryant caught 12 passes for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns. Bryant has suddenly become one of the best receivers around. He is not only Dallas's best weapon but he also is in the
best position to take advantage of a weakness of the Redskins.  The Redskins lack a true cover corner who can take Bryant out of the game and leave the safeties free to cover the likes of Witten. All of this said the Redskins will be coming off a bye week and im going to give Jim Haslett the benefit of the doubt that he will have some plan to slow down Dez for at least one game.

Prediction: Redskins 27, Cowboys 21

Week 7 vs Bears

Shanahan and Cutler as Broncos

This will probably the Redskins second toughest home game this season. Chicago has a tough defense and what should be an improved offense this year. Jay Cutler finally has a line that can protect him and has a strong supporting cast both at receiver and running back. Shanahan probably knows Cutler and Marshall as well as anybody but something tells me that is not going to be good enough this time around. Last time the Redskins met was in 2010 in Chicago and DeAngelo Hall ended up playing the best game of his career and almost single handedly won the game. However, the Bears are a better offensive team then they were in 2010 with the addition of Brandon Marshall. I do not expect Hall to have the same kind of game he did last time and so I fear that the Bears and their defense will slow down RGIII enough to pull out the win.

Prediction: Redskins 17, Bears 28

Week 8 at Broncos

Peyton Manning

Robert Griffin III may be the future of the NFL but Peyton Manning is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Manning is coming off an MVP like season and the Broncos only got better on the offensive side of the ball this offseason. Wes Welker was added to a wide receiver core that already included Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker. Not to mention Manning is apparently throwing a stronger ball than he was last year. In 2012 Denver was ranked 4th in total offense and 2nd in total Defense. I am not saying this is a game that can not be won but in order to win it the Redskins will have to out play a team with candidates for both defensive and offensive players of the year in Von Miller and Peyton Manning in Mile High Stadium.

Prediction: Redskins 24, Broncos 34