Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Redskins Fantasy Outlook

The upcoming game with the Jets, while familiar for many on the team, hopes to provide a refreshing respite for several key Redskins players.

Against the Jets

Kellen Clemens is suspect. Gregg Williams is sure to mix it up for the fresh faced quarterback leading the 24th-ranked offense. He could be in for a few turnovers.

That said, Laveranues Coles has had a solid season thus far. He obviously left on bad terms with the team and will be motivated to have a good day against his former team. He's the kind of shifty receiver that finds nice holes in the Redskins coverage. He could be the one offensive spark - 100+ yards and 1-2 scores.

Thomas Jones has had a quiet year with no TDs. The Skins plan to keep it that way, presumably playing a more attacking-style defense and force Clemens to air it out to Coles and Cotchery. The attacking and crowded-at-the-line defense should keep things bottled up for Jones, keeping him under 80 yards.

On the Skins side of the ball, the defense is poised to have a big game against the offensively challenged Jets.

Joe Gibbs and Al Saunders should be able to re-trench and establish the running game with Clinton Portis. He may finally get his 100 yard game. He's had a tough time running behind the makeshift line but he should finally see some success. It will help that Vilma is now out.

It's also time for Santana Moss to shine. Like Portis, he has yet to have a 100 yard game as well. He should be good for at least 1 or 2 deep shots down the field. He still has to make up for his horrible game against the Packers.

4 TEs have scored against the Jets, so that bodes well for Chris Cooley.
4-3

This is about where the Skins figured to be.

The 2-0 start was nice - a good start by getting past the struggling Dolphins and Eagles teams. The Eagles game, in paticular, was a surprise.
The Giants game was definitely a lost opportunity - up 17-3 at halftime and crumbling at the end.
It was surprising that the Skins were able to bounce back and crush the high-flying Lions but they definitely had the secondary to do it.
The Packers game seemed close but never quite close enough after halftime. Given their great season thus far (and Brett Favre's in particular), the Packers figure to challenge for NFC supremacy.
The Cardinals game had all the makings of the Giants game especially with the late touchdown and then recovered onsides kick by the Cards. The Skins were extremely lucky that the FG attempted sailed wide.
The Patriots game was an automatic loss for sure. For the team, it was actually a no-lose situation since they were 16-point underdogs.
The Skins desperately need a win against Kellen Clemens and the 1-7 Jets to reach 5-3 at the halfpoint mark.

After the Jets, 7 of the remaining 8 games are against NFC foes, including 4 division games.

The Skins have proven themselves to be a middle of the pack team. They should go 8-8 or 9-7. The Saints will likely make a latter-season push for the playoff picture and the Giants, Lions, and Bucs all figure to be there as well.

With the season loss of Carlos Rogers and most of the offensive line, the Skins will probably finish 2-3 games behind in the wild card race.

Reasons for optimism:
* Laron Landry and Sean Taylor
* If the O-line can jell to create a dominating rushing attack (it hasn't worked thus far)
* If Santana Moss gets it together
* Continued development of Jason Campbell