2018 Washington Redskins Schedule Breakdown

The Washington Football Club is currently about to start up another season in the DMV. After shipping Cousins away and adding Alex Smith, it appears to be a different look to the Redskins. Their 2018 schedule was released last week and much fanfare as usual. Unlike most recent seasons, the potential is looking up as most of the squad are recovering from injuries. With a new captain and returning starters; the Redskins are looking to return to winning in 2018. Here’s the 2018 Redskins schedule breakdown.

Home Games

Sunday, Sept. 16:  vs. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (CBS, 1 p.m)
Sunday, Sept. 23:  vs. GREEN BAY PACKERS (FOX, 1 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 14:  vs. CAROLINA PANTHERS (FOX, 1 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 21:  vs. DALLAS COWBOYS (CBS, 4:25 p.m)
Sunday, Nov. 4:  vs. ATLANTA FALCONS (FOX, 1 p.m)
Sunday, Nov. 18:  vs. HOUSTON TEXANS (CBS, 1 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 9: vs. NEW YORK GIANTS (FOX, 1 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 30: vs. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (FOX, 1 p.m)

Away Games

Sunday, Sept. 9: at Arizona Cardinals (FOX, 4:25 p.m)
Monday, Oct. 8: at New Orleans Saints (ESPN, 8:15 p.m)
Sunday, Oct. 28: at New York Giants (FOX, 1 p.m)
Sunday, Nov. 11: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FOX, 1 p.m.)
Thursday, Nov. 22: at Dallas Cowboys (FOX, 4:30 p.m)
Monday, Dec. 3: at Philadelphia Eagles (ESPN, 8:15 p.m)
Sunday, Dec. 16:  at Jacksonville Jaguars (FOX, 1 p.m)
Dec 22nd or Dec 23rd: at Tennessee Titans (TBD) TBD

Things To Look For

Party Crashers

The Redskins only have 3 home games within the last 8 games of the season. They have 2 division games (Philly, Dallas), two games with AFC playoff contenders (Titans, Jags) and a matchup with Tampa. Unless the season turns out to be unpredictable, most of the teams I just mentioned will be fighting for playoffs spots. Their home contests will be needed to gain momentum.

For the Redskins, these games will need to be won. Not all will be won but most need to be won. Overall, The Redskins needs to be the party crashers during most of these contests in order to finish strong. For example, the Redskins plays on Thanksgiving in Philly. The Super Bowl champs during primetime? It’s simple, crash the party. A Philly crowd during a Holiday is always ready for the Win. If Alex Smith outduels Wentz and the Redskins Defense comes out ready to destroy someone, all will be well in DC. The way the Redskins will be in the media this season is if they crash the party and become a road force.

Divison Dominance?

Against the Cowboys, the Redskins are 2-8 in their last ten matchups. They are .500 against the Eagles in their last ten matchups. And a rather meek 3-7 against the Giants. This season, the Redskins will need to regain their division dominance. The NFC East has not had repeat winners since the 2003 and 2004 seasons. This is unlike any other division in the NFL. We’ve seen all four teams have good seasons and fall apart the next and not win the division. Now the Eagles have a good chance of repeating but recent NFC East history might have something to say about that. `

One’s division schedule makes up about 38% of the games each year. The Redskins has missed playoff spots and even draft positioning by losing close or somewhat lopsided division games as of late. And in terms of hatred, being whooped by your Rivals is not fun at all. Especially in the DMV. The DMV is really a diverse place so every home game against division opponents is basically a neutral site game. It’s time for Washington to take advantage of Division games again.

Not all will be won but give your rivals a good fight.

Taking Advantage

The Redskins has the majority of their home games in the 1st half of the season. They face four teams with new head coaches (Indy, Arizona, New York Giants, Tennessee). The Cowboys and Giants are rebuilding. Green Bay is still looking to repair it’s defense and now replacing Jordy Nelson. Besides the Texans, Eagles, Falcons, and the Jags; the Redskins has very close games or very winnable games on the schedule.

Since their road games will determine the season, their “Home Cooking” needs to start from the jump. Dropping home games early on is a bad sign.

In terms of teams that are rebuilding, the Redskins needs to take advantage as well. With the teams I mentioned with new coaches as well as Atlanta & Tampa coming off rough seasons; the Redskins needs see their potential. Besides a new QB, a lot of the roster is still intact as well as the coaching staff. It’s about the situation in football. If a team looks weak or it is rebuilding, that’s when teams can take advantage and win. Dropping games that should be won is a thing that the Redskins should not deal with again this year.

Playing The Best

Besides the Eagles, the Redskins played close to all of their tougher opponents last season. What needs to be the difference this year is winning them. Green Bay, Houston, Jacksonville, Philly, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Dallas is their top games this year.

The Wizards and Redskins have a trend of playing well against the top teams in more of a “showcase” type of moment. The fans are just happy to see their team doing well against the best. That “showcase” type of feel needs to turn into a winning type of feel. The games I just listed, If Washington wins most of those games; it’s a true statement. The team did not get a lot of primetime games but they are surely facing some of the top teams this year.

It’s about winning.