Redskins Predicted to Have 3-13 Season
- Updated: July 24, 2012
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Pete Prisco of CBS Sports wrote an article predicting the records of each NFL team during the 2012 season. While some were surprising, such as New England recording another 16-0 season, others came off as ludicrous, such as Washington recording just three wins.
While a prediction of 3-13 may feel insulting after trading for Robert Griffin III, and the numerous additions via the draft and free-agency, the possibility of that record should not be thrown out entirely. This is the NFL after all, and as we saw last season not all positive moves result in wins.
Last year the Washington Redskins were predicted by many well-known outlets from ESPN to CSN Washington to have a record of 6-10 or worse. At the time fans felt the prediction was crazy and absurd. They felt that because the team had gotten younger, released players who did not perform up to expectations, and had another decent draft, the team was “back.”
Obviously we found out that the Redskins weren’t back. That’s not to say the team didn’t improve, because they did. The problem was we wanted change overnight, and during a rebuild that’s just not possible. Instead we saw a team continue to struggle on the field in certain areas, such as the secondary, but we also saw the team grow, such as in the run game and linebacking core.
Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen have rebuilt the Redskins, some what backwards, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been done. The overall record might not show it, but the production and competition on the field has proven otherwise.
The ideal formula for a rebuild in the NFL is as follows:
- Quarterback
- Offensive Line
- Defensive Line
- Running Back
- Contributors
- Skill Positions
- Backups
Looking at the list, Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen essentially built the team backwards from the norm, which nonetheless works and takes the same amount of time. In their case, it might have been extremely wise due to how it landed Robert Griffin III in their lap. Perhaps that was the plan all along with mastermind Mike Shanahan?
There’s no denying Shanahan and Allen had a mess on their hands when they first took over the Redskins. In fact, year one of their contract was technically an evaluation period to see which players fit into their future plans. It wasn’t until last season till we saw the face of the Mike Shanahan offense being to form.
By being hired in January of 2010, Mike Shanahan was unable to evaluate players as well as he would have liked, resulting in him only being able to draft players he knew could fit his system. So while many believe 2010 was the first year of rebuilding, it in fact was nothing more than an extended evaluation period for the head coach.
The 2011 offseason is when Washington finally started to get their plan in place. Players such as Malcolm Kelly, Devin Thomas and Albert Haynesworth who had little to no impact on the field were released, while players like Stephen Bowen, Barry Cofield, and Adam Carriker were brought in. Additionally, 10 of the 12 draft picks played in 2011 (though it would have been 11 had Jenkins not torn his ACL) and they made a significant impact.
While the team did in fact win one less game in 2011 (5-11) than they did in 2010 (6-10), the team started to show signs of progress. Such as building chemistry with players, standing up for one another on and off the field, and never giving up no matter the deficit.
All of that took a matter of one full offseason and a draft (in 2010) to do. Needless to say that’s pretty impressive, especially since there was a lockout thrown in the middle which didn’t help rookie players such as Leonard Hankerson (who told us it held him back because OTA’s and Mini Camp was equivalent to his spring in college).
Coming into the 2012 season, the Washington Redskins now have a roster that is near-complete and ready to compete with the best in the NFL. A weak secondary could be the only detriment to the team, but due to one of the highest ranked defensive lines in the NFL, they should be able to shine as pressure is put on opposing offensive lines.
A franchise quarterback who can not only shred a secondary, but also split the defense while rushing the ball is now taking snaps. A running game that proved to be semi-dangerous in 2011 will now have the ability to open up even more thanks to defenses having to play honest against Robert Griffin III. The offensive line now has talent in starting positions, with dependable backups.
The one thing the Redskins don’t have going for them (besides a possibly secondary issue), is an extremely hard schedule. There’s no denying the young Redskins roster will need to grow up fast as they go against some of the more elite teams in the NFL, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and an even stronger NFC East.
However, does that mean the Washington Redskins will only win a total of three games in 2012? I don’t believe so.
The teams Pete Prisco has the Redskins beating are the Vikings (by 7), Panthers (by 3), and Cleveland (by 4). That means every other team on the Redskins schedule will beat them, including a full sweep by the NFC East.
A comical part may be his score totals for each game in the NFC East:
- Cowboys 31, Redskins 21
- Cowboys 30, Redskins 20
- Eagles 30, Redskins 17
- Eagles 28, Redskins 20
- Giants 31, Redskins 20
- Giants 30, Redskins 17
Notice anything? We will allow 30 points (three times), while scoring 20 points (three times). We will also allow 31 points (twice), while scoring 17 points (twice). Ending with one odd game of giving up 28 points and scoring 21 points. If you look at the entire list, three teams (Washington, Minnesota and Tampa) all end the year with 3-13 records.
Is this a serious prediction or were numbers just thrown out there?
Either way it’s a little too early to be making prediction articles, as teams have not gone through training camp, let alone preseason. We have no idea what the 53 man rosters will look like, nor what players will unfortunately fall to injuries (speaking for the entire NFL).
I find it hard to believe a Redskins team that has depth in many positions, as well as threats on each side of the ball (who more importantly fit the schemes) will win two fewer games than in 2011. You can’t leave out the possibility it can’t happen because anything is possible, it’s just highly unlikely.
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About Kiel Maddox
D. Tegg
July 24, 2012 at 5:40 am
i am not sure what make this man thinks he can predict the answers to all 32 NFL teams, i think he is wrong on the NFC East games i believe we will be 3 -3 at least when the season is done, i believe that we could also go 8 – 8 for the season….and thats without drinking the coolaid….i think his crystal ball is smudged a lot
BigDaddyTM
July 24, 2012 at 11:59 am
That’s okay. That article goes in the “haters” folder for later in the season. We’ll revisit all those articles around the bye week (won’t have anything else to do then) and we can say hello to the authors then…
Ronald Anthony Alexander
July 24, 2012 at 2:17 pm
What is it that this so called person whoever he is would write some trashy article like this? All this shows is his hatred for the Redskins and nothing else. Only a total moron who does not do his homework will write something like this. Just wait and see, that is probably why nobody knows about you now.
Dan
July 24, 2012 at 6:08 pm
The Redskins are going 8-8 in ’12.
jimc14
July 27, 2012 at 1:19 am
8-8 is not good when you have given up 2 #1′s and a #2 in the past draft. Next two years we have no #1′s
Kiel Maddox
July 27, 2012 at 3:27 am
Washington’s schedule this season is not easy, not to mention they have a rookie quarterback taking snaps. A three win increase compared to 2011′s 5-11 team would be a huge improvement. Expecting them to win anything more than 8 games wouldn’t be fair.
Ray Smith
July 27, 2012 at 6:48 am
Not to mention that when you have been 5-11 6-10 and 5-11 the past three years 8-8 looks pretty good. The amount of picks traded for a player doesnt have any bearing on the record. People need to be patient with Griffin can’t forget that he’s a rookie.