The Redskins 0-2 Start isn't as Bad as You Think

Yes, the Redskins have been absolutely embarrassing to watch so far this season and yes, this next game is very close to a must win game. However, it could be much worse and it really isn't as bad as it seems. I can almost promise you that the Redskins will turn this around. It may or may not happen this tomorrow against the Lions but It will happen.

First, lets talk about the two losses. Out of the two games the Redskins have played only one of them was really expected to be a win. The Eagles are not a great team and I think almost every Redskins fan and most others expected to win. But realistically expecting to win that game easily as many (including myself) expected was foolish. Then week 2 came along and the Redskins had to travel to Green Bay to play a Packers team that had just lost to the 49ers. There was absolutely no point last year where the Redskins would have been favored or even expected to go into Green Bay and pull off a win. In most people's predictions of how the Redskins season would go they had them losing to the Packers. Even most who predicted that the Redskins would repeat as NFC East champions didn't expect them to win that game. So, realistically the Redskins are only one game behind where they were expected to be. Throughout any NFL season teams win games they aren't expected to and lose games they should have won so this isn't anything new. Of course, the difference is the Redskins looked absolutely horrible in their two losses which is the real reason for the panic but looking at it from a record standpoint the Redskins aren't far behind their expected start.

Fortunately, the Redskins 0-2 start has only put them one game behind 1st place. The NFC East is one of the worst divisions in the NFL and has only one 2 games both of which were against other NFC East opponents. The Giants are 0-2, Cowboys 1-1, and the Eagles are now 1-2. To make it even better the Eagles have fallen back to earth after their hot start and Michael Vick was back to his inconsistent ways against the Chiefs. If the Redskins can pull off a win tomorrow they will be at worst tied for second place and at best tied for first. Not to mention the Giants play a tough Panthers defense in carolina this week which is also desperate for a win. The Cowboys don't have an easy game against a Rams team led by an improved Sam Bradford and solid defense. Oh and in case you haven't heard the Redskins have never lost to the Lions at home. That doesn't mean they will win but it is a fun fact that makes the game seem slightly less daunting.

Now lets look ahead to week 4. Let's say the Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants all win their games. The Redskins, Eagles, and Giants would all be at 1-2 with the Cowboys at 2-1. Week 4 the Redskins travel to a Raiders team that has very little chance of exploiting a weak Redskins secondary with Terrelle Pryor at the helm. The Giants have to travel to Kansas City to face a very talented Chiefs, who are now 3-0. The Cowboys have play the Chargers with a resurgent Phillip Rivers in San Diego. Meanwhile the Eagles have the toughest Challenge of playing the Broncos in Denver. The Redskins clearly have the easiest game in week 4 and are probably the only ones who will be favored to win. Now this is obviously a big if because the NFL is unpredictable but it is very possible that heading into their bye the Redskins could be tied with the Cowboys for first place in the division at 2-2.

All of this means nothing though if the Redskins don't improve dramatically and quickly. The Lions will not be an easy team to beat and so far the Redskin have looked just pathetic. Why should anyone believe that will change anytime soon? Well, to put it simply the Redskins will get better because of RGIII. Griffin has looked less than spectacular in the first two games with his only real success coming well after the game is out of hand. I could list all the reasons why he has looked bad and speculate what his "problem" is but there has been more than enough coverage on that. The fact is he has not played to his potential. However, it is important to remember that there was significant improvement in his timing and accuracy in week 2. Because of this we can assume that he will continue to get better. Most experts agree, and by experts I mean players who have had similar injuries and doctors, that it takes time to come back from a serious injuries even once fully healthy. Take a look at Derrick Rose or Tom Brady in 2009 when he started off relatively slowly before really getting back to himself. Even Adrian Peterson wasn't running all over teams until 5 or 6 games into the season. So, let us accept that RGIII will improve and eventually be back to or at least close to his 2012 self. With RGIII back the Redskins offense will immediately improve. Morris will have bigger holes to run through and the offensive line deficiencies will be masked.

Critics will attack the Redskins defense and how horrible it has been and I will fully admit that the performance by the Redskins D has been truly terrible. The problems with the unit are not easily fixed and most likely won't be this season. However, once the offense returns to being at least close to the 2012 version the defense will be on the field for significantly less time. Last year the Redskins won the time of possession and held the ball an average of 31 minutes a game. After two games this season they have only averaged 27 minutes. That 27 number is also generous considering that their opponents have generally stopped playing in the second half of games. While the Redskins defense will struggle throughout the year the resurrection of the offense will allow the defense to get some rest. Not to mention when the defense makes stops, like they did against the Packers early on, they will be more meaningful because the other team won't simply get the ball back 3 plays later.

Now I fully realize that this logic is full of speculation and assumptions but they are fairly calculated ones. Even ignoring the arguments about where the Redskins will be in 2 weeks it is still a fact that the Redskins are currently just one game behind first place in a very weak division. I know it is unfair to put so much on one player but if you look at this team a lot of its problems can be covered by better play by RGIII. This team is made up of almost all of the same starters as last year and actually has more talent on defense than it did a year ago with the return of Orakpo. RGIII is the key to a Redskins turn around.