82
× DWAYNE HASKINS TAKES OVER
(SOONER OR LATER) AND STRUGGLES.
Almost any rookie quarterback would—
especially one who started just 14 games,
as first-round pick Haskins did at Ohio
State. Washington’s system, with its bevy of
intertwined receiver releas-
es and multi-option route
combinations, is crafty and
well-coached, but it requires
a knack for detail that a QB
can’t develop overnight.
× LINE PROBLEMS SINK
THE OFFENSE. E v e n a s
Haskins’s field vision im-
proves, his performance
wavers behind unsteady
pass protection, particu-
larly on his left. Tackle
Trent Williams’s absence
hurts, as late veteran sign-
ing Donald Penn, 36, looks too old and
2018 third-rounder Geron Christian looks
too young. The instability there also dam-
ages the efforts to salvage the career of
former Giants tackle Ereck Flowers, who-
had shown hopeful signs after shifting to
guard under O-line coach Bill Callahan.
× THE OFFENSE GOES INSIDE. With one
of the NFL’s worst perimeter receivingcorps, the passing game continues to
operate mainly over the middle, relying
on receiving back Chris Thompson, tight
ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis, and
second-year pro Trey Quinn, the Redskins’
intriguing new starting slot receiver.
× OPPONENTS ATTACK THE DEFENSIVE
MIDDLE. Free-agent signee Landon Collins
is a high-caliber, fifth-year strong safety
who consistently locates the ball and blan-
kets backs and tight ends in coverage. But
Colllins’s versatility goes only so far in a
scheme that’s light on blitzing and built
on traditional man and zone coverages.
The former Giant can’t compensate for the
team’s unpolished lineback-
ers and free safeties.
× THE D-LINE IS A STRENGTH.
First-round rookie Montez
Sweat (Mississippi State)
provides flashes of the
edge-rushing oomph that
has long been missing op-
posite underappreciated end
Ryan Kerrigan. Jonathan
Allen and Da’Ron Payne,
both recent first-round picks
from Alabama, form one
of football’s best interior
tandems. Both play with
strength, effort and advanced technique.
Line coach Jim Tomsula gets great mileage
out of young and little-known backups Tim
Settle and Caleb Brantley. To highlight
their talent at the position, the Skins fre-
quently align their D-tackles over opposing
guards, creating what football wonks call
an “even” front—an uncommon look that
is tough to run against.WHAT LIES AHEAD
The defense, though flawed, is better than meets the eye, but that’s hardly enough
to offset an offense that has a rookie QB, porous blocking and a lack of downfield threats.SI’S 2019
PREDICTION
3 – 13
2018 RECORD 7– 9
SEP T. 8
@ PHI
SEP T. 15
VS. DAL
SEP T. 23
VS. CHI
SEP T. 2 9
@ NYG
OC T. 6
VS. NE
OC T. 1 3
@ MIA
OC T. 2 0
VS. SF
OC T. 24
@ MIN
NOV. 3
@ BUF
NOV. 10
BYE
NOV. 17
VS. N YJ
NOV. 24
VS. DET
DEC. 1
@ CAR
DEC. 8
@ GB
DEC. 15
VS. PHI
DEC. 22
VS. NYG
DEC. 29
@ DAL
Weakness QB32RB
16
WR/TE
29
OL
28
FRONT 7
25
DB
20
JAS
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