What will the Redskins\' record be this year? Will they make
the playoffs, win
it
all or stumble in the NFC East? With the season finally upon us, WTOP staffers --
and a few special guests -- offer up their predictions for how the Redskins will
fare. And we want to know: What are your predictions for the Redskins season? Is
RG3 up for the job? Let us know on Facebook, tweet to us using #WTOP
or call 1-877-222-1035.
WTOP's Redskins PredictionsDebbie Feinstein - WTOP Anchor
"10-6, we win the division for the second year in a row, and we will lose again to the Seahawks in the playoffs."
Jonathan Warner - WTOP Sports Reporter "The Redskins have a tough schedule this season. That's what happens when you win your division. Therefore, it will be tough for them to duplicate last year's 10-6 record. Their defense will be greatly tested against QBs Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Peyton Manning, Colin Kaepernick, Matt Ryan and Eli Manning - twice. Meanwhile, how will RG3 hold up? I see an 8-8 season."
Mike Jakaitis - WTOP Editor "RG3 has a big game against a weak Philadelphia defense to start the hype machine (full disclosure: I'm an Eagles fan so I know how bad the 'D' is). But the Skins fall short in the division and finish 9-7. I hate to say it, the Cowboys win the division. I hope I'm wrong."
Ari Ashe - WTOP Editor "I predict the Redskins will go 9-7. Defenses in the NFL are good at adjusting to new looks like the read-option. With RG3 being an injury question on any big hit, I think the season will depend on how much of a pocket passer he can become to offer another look. I also believe a harder schedule means expectations cannot be high."
Mitchell Miller - WTOP Assistant News and Program Director "It'll be tough to repeat a 10-6 season, but the Redskins have made me a believer. No big win streaks, but they'll still grind their way to 10-6. They'll be a 'Redskins Redux.' Playoff team but stymied again by a first-round opponent."
George Wallace - WTOP Redskins Reporter "I'm going to do something I've never done: pick the Redskins to win 11 games. I think this team has a chance to be very good. All of the offensive weapons are back. The wild card is going to be RG3 and his ability to stay healthy. More importantly, will he be a smarter quarterback? The big question mark is going to be the secondary. Can the young guys make strides early on and contribute? Will Brandon Merriweather be able to stay healthy?
One thing is for sure, Brian Orakpo returning is a huge plus for the defense. If all the chips fall into place, then this team will go 11-5, repeat as NFC East champs and go to the NFC Championship Game."
Geoff Tracy - Chef Geoff's Owner "A roller coaster 9-7 in the regular season, win the wild-card spot, get knocked out of the NFC Championship."
Bruce Alan - WTOP Anchor "I expect the Redskins to go 9-7 this season. They'll not only have RG3 back, but I am optimistic that Brian Orakpo will stay healthy. I look for Ryan Kerrigan to have a tremendous season. Go Skins!"
Doug Hill - ABC7 Chief Meterologist I expect the Skins to go 10-6. That should be good for a wild-card slot, and if their division record is good enough, a 10-6 could get them the divisional title. Skins have the best 1-2 quarterback combo in the NFC. RG3 and Cousins stay healthy all season...big year!
Greg Bianco - WTOP Sports Reporter "9-7: It's a tougher schedule this year because of winning the division, but this should probably be enough to win a mediocre NFC East. A healthy defense (to start the year) has to improve on the scoreboard. The Skins are the anti-Nationals with Stephen Strasburg and rushing RG3 back to play. Even if he's cleared to play, start him after the bye. There's too much risk for the 10-year future."
Frank Herzog - Former Redskins Announcer and WTOP Anchor "Redskins should be a 10-6 team with a sweep of the Eagles and splits with the Cowboys and the Giants. Playoffs? Yes. How far? Not far enough. NFC Championship game, perhaps."
Greg Engert - Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director "I predict the Redskins will be decent enough this year, likely going 9-7 or 8-8, but certainly losing both regular season games to the New York Football Giants. If they make the playoffs, it will only be as a wild card, because the division is also already locked up."
Mike Moss - WTOP Anchor "After such an exciting season as last year (here comes the cop-out part), it may be harder than ever to predict how the Redskins will do (is this guy full of it or what?). RG3 is healthy, but the team still is as thin as a runway model at D-back and O-line. So let me roll my magic dice and forecast a 10-6 year and a wild-card playoff win. With more time to gel and more money to fill the holes, next year could be a breakout season for the Skins."(go ahead wimpy, say 'Super Bowl')
go ahead wimpy, say 'Super Bowl'
Lauryn Ricketts - ABC7 Meteorologist "Everybody is concentrating on the health of RG3, and obviously that is going to be a huge component in our victories. But we have other massive weapons in our offensive (both running backs, Morris and Helu, and in the passing game, Garcon -- and yes, even my solid go-to Moss) that it would be very difficult for any team not to think we are a contender to take the NFC East and to vie for a spot at MetLife Stadium in February. I am interested to see exactly what K. Shanahan has in store for our offense, one, in using Helu more effectively and two, to see if the coaches and RG3 can actually work together adequately to give Robert some movement but also to keep him from getting injured (although, Kirk Cousins is a solid No. 2). If the secondary defense can step up their game (here's to hoping), then there is no stopping us. I'll say 12-4. Unfortunately, I am not going to ride the 'we're going to the Superbowl' train because I think injuries will plague us once again this year. We will win the NFC East and take a loss in the NFC Championship."(no wild-card pick this year)
no wild-card pick this year
Brennan Haselton - WTOP Reporter "Skins go 10-6, make the playoffs, but lose in a heartbreaker NFC Championship game."
John Aaron - WTOP Anchor "Surpassing last year's 10 wins would be no small accomplishment. The defense - which has finished in the bottom half of the league in Jim Haslett's first three years as coordinator - should be able to take a step forward with players now fitting better into his 3-4 scheme. The offense, though, may slip back from the top five. Because of concerns about his knee, RG3 likely won't be as much of a threat on the ground, and I think he could even be held out for a game or two later on as a precaution. Final prediction? The team has impressive moments but finishes 9-7, barely missing the playoffs."
Cathy Lanier -D.C. Chief of Police Chief Lanier, shown in a 2014 file photo, says the D.C. police are reacting to terror threats in way seen and unseen. (WTOP file)
WTOP file
Shawn Anderson - WTOP Anchor The 2013 Redskins Poem:
"The Cowboys are improved,
And the G-Men are tough.
So while nine wins sounds good,
For the playoffs, not enough."
Mike Isabella - Celebrity Chef "I think the Redskins are going to win their division again, even though they have a tougher schedule this year. I think they'll end up
10-6. I hope they go to the Super Bowl, but it will be hard to get past the 49ers and Seahawks in the NFC. So I think they'll get past the first round of playoffs, but may not have the firepower to go further."
Dimitri Sotis - WTOP Anchor "I believe the 'Skins will do one better than last season: 11-5 AND they'll get to the second round of the playoffs.
"Not fully convinced RG3 will play more carefully than he did last year."
Dave Johnson - WTOP Sports Director "For 17 years -- and you can check this -- I have always offered a prediction of 8-8 for the Redskins. The NFL is that kind of league. Injuries play too big a role. This year I am with the program. I think the Redskins can win the NFC East at 11-5. They can win with RG3 or Kirk Cousins, but the Redskins have to be better on defense."
What will the Redskins’ record be this year? Will they make the playoffs, win it all or stumble in the NFC East? With the season finally upon us, WTOP staffers — and a few special guests — offer up their predictions for how the Redskins will fare. And we want to know: What are your predictions for the Redskins season? Is RG3 up for the job? Let us know on Facebook, tweet to us using #WTOP or call 1-877-222-1035.
