Skins vs the Cards Pregame Thread

Either people are seriously underselling the Skins or overselling the Cards. I'm going with the latter.

They have one of the best backs in the league in Johnson, and they have Fitz who is always reliable.

But outside of that their OL is trash and their best lineman is on IR, their QB is made of glass, and probably most important to note they have a new coaching staff. What am I missing here? Why all the pessimism?

Redskins

I have pessimism cause we barely beat them last year at home, could have easily lost and they literally had no NFL QB on their roster and no David Johnson. This is just the kind of game where Gruden just can't seem to get over the hump. Hope I'm wrong but until I see otherwise I think the Cards win this in a close game.

I would also not underestimate China Doll. If they protect him he is as good as anyone. Really want to see Allen & Payne and co get after him.

Redskins

I need a little more substance. The Cards aren't anything to be afraid of. I don't see many categories where I'd give them a strong edge.

QB - Skins
RB - Cards
WR- I'll give it to them just because of Fitz
TE- Skins
OL- Skins
DL- Skins
LB - Skins
DB - Slight edge to them because of Peterson
Coaching staff - Skins

I need a little more substance. The Cards aren't anything to be afraid of. I don't see many categories where I'd give them a strong edge.

QB - Skins
RB - Cards
WR- I'll give it to them just because of Fitz
TE- Skins
OL- Skins
DL- Skins
LB - Skins
DB - Slight edge to them because of Peterson
Coaching staff - Skins

I totally agree with what your saying. But you asked why the pessimism...its the Redskins. The intangible that cant be stated. I get it why there is pessimism, even if I don't agree with it. Skins should win.

Skins D dominates and Redskins win, fans still doubt the team.

I'm not the least bit concerned about Alex, Chris, Jordan, and Adrian playing well right out of the chute. Those guys were born ready.

As for the Cards turnover defense, just keep Perine on the bench. I'm not making a joke about this. He could kill our chances for a win with an inopportune fumble. Let's see if Gruden is smart enough to avoid trouble by not risking a Perine fumble.

Small sample size for Perine, but you'll probably find that he and Peterson have roughly the same carry to fumble ratio. Perhaps Peterson's is a little higher even...

I do think the Redskins will definitely have to win the turnover battle though, to come out of there with a W.

I think we win this one 24 to 17. Slow start by both teams, we then take the lead early in the second half, and give away one stupid TD in the 4th on blown coverage/missed tackles.

One thing I hate seeing on the depth chart: Jamison Crowder will be returning punts? ... Don't do that to us. Don't that to him...


Yeah, I was hoping to see someone else penciled in there to start the season...

While watching the Thursday night game, I couldn't help but compare the Eagles and Falcons issues to how the Redskins may come out on Sunday.

Atlanta had difficulties scoring TDs last year after moving the ball down the field. They had the same issues last night. Sound familiar?

Hopefully with Smith they have taken a step forward with correcting the red zone issues, but I didn't see any progress on that front in the limited action I saw in the preseason.


Also, Philadelphia's offensive starters didn't play much together during the preseason (sound familiar?), and it was apparent for most of the game as Foles wasn't sharp, and they weren't on the same page a lot.

It's hard to call the first game of the season a must win, but it is an NFC game, which makes it important in my mind. The Redskins well known track record under Gruden in home openers is terrible. Here's to hoping that all the reps in practice together is enough to get them off to a fast start. It would be nice to see them come out and smash Arizona in the mouth, step on their necks and keep the foot down for four quarters.

Redskins 33
Cardinals 16

Yeah, I was hoping to see someone else penciled in there to start the season...

I thought Stroman did a decent job returning punts. At least he didn't fumble...

While watching the Thursday night game, I couldn't help but compare the Eagles and Falcons issues to how the Redskins may come out on Sunday.

Atlanta had difficulties scoring TDs last year after moving the ball down the field. They had the same issues last night. Sound familiar?

Hopefully with Smith they have taken a step forward with correcting the red zone issues, but I didn't see any progress on that front in the limited action I saw in the preseason.


Also, Philadelphia's offensive starters didn't play much together during the preseason (sound familiar?), and it was apparent for most of the game as Foles wasn't sharp, and they weren't on the same page a lot.

It's hard to call the first game of the season a must win, but it is an NFC game, which makes it important in my mind. The Redskins well known track record under Gruden in home openers is terrible. Here's to hoping that all the reps in practice together is enough to get them off to a fast start. It would be nice to see them come out and smash Arizona in the mouth, step on their necks and keep the foot down for four quarters.

Redskins 33
Cardinals 16

I agree with what you're saying, it was really both QB's who were struggling. The QB is such an important position that if they struggle, the entire team does as well. Kirk was notorious for starting the season slow and revving it up in later weeks. Which I think contributes a bit to our 0-4 openers with Gruden. (It's not the sole reason though IMO)

I'm hoping Smith comes out like he did last year against NE and looks ready. I expect to have some rust and see some first game mistakes but if we can play a decent game we should win this one.

With Philly already having a W as well we can't afford to let them get ahead after the very first week.