Just How Good Are The Washington Redskins?
The Redskins run of three straight victories after their demoralizing defeat in the season opener has been extremely impressive. That said, I'm not sure I buy into the Redskins just yet.
One of the true marks of a team's dominance lies in one simple statistic: point differential.
If you have a high positive point differential, you're probably a good team. If you have a low point differential, you're probably mediocre. If you have a high negative point differential, you're probably the Oakland Raiders.
The Redskins' point differential is a plus-5 right now, putting them in the same company as teams like the Atlanta Falcons (plus-7) and the Arizona Cardinals (plus-3).
In the end, the teams with the best point differential typically win—with the exception of last season's Giants (plus-22).
The 2007 New England Patriots, for example, had a plus-315 point differential. The Colts were a plus-188. The Chargers were a plus-128.
So, what does all this mean?
Basically, I'm not yet sold on the Washington Redskins.
The 2-2 Eagles, on the other hand, are currently a plus-36.
Believe me when I tell you, the Eagles are inferior to the Redskins in record only. They have the better quarterback, the better overall offense, and the better defense.
The Redskins were able to step up last week and beat a superior team that suffers occasionally from inferior coaching.
The Eagles don't have that problem.
Which is why, even if Westbrook can't play, I expect the Eagles to improve to 3-2 this weekend against the suddenly overrated Redskins.
Hopefully Belichick Brings His Short Leash
Matt Cassel hopes to improve on his dismal performance prior to the bye week against the San Francisco 49ers' defense.
He should be able to put up some numbers against the 49ers, who feature a defense that likes to gamble. Randy Moss should have a good day. Wes Welker should put up big numbers.
Should.
I'm not buying Matt Cassel, as I'm sure you can tell. If he struggles early against the 49ers, a team the Patriots should destroy, look for Belichick to make the move to the rookie Kevin O'Connell.
Better to lose with a rookie than to look pathetic with a veteran…
Least Likely Upset in NFL History
The Cowboys are steaming mad after last week's shocking loss to the Washington Redskins. Standing in their way this week, the hapless Cincinnati Bengals.
Potential for some serious ugliness here.
Game of the Week, The Offensive Version: Buffalo at Arizona
This week, the Buffalo Bills travel to Arizona to face Kurt Warner's Cardinals. You know, the team that made Brett Favre look like the late 90s version of himself last week.
The Bills' offense can score points against the Cardinals' defense. Of course, anyone could score points against that defense. And the Cardinals' offense can score points against anyone.
Really, I'm cheating here. Any game featuring the Cardinals is probably going to be a crazy offensive game.
Game of the Week, The Defensive Version: Pittsburgh at Jacksonville
Enough said.
The Steelers' love to play defense and let opposing defenses kill their quarterback. The Jags are a tough, powerful team that loves a good defensive struggle.
I've said this before, and I'll say it again: I love good defensive football.
This game is going to feature some seriously good defensive football…rivaled only by the Baltimore--Tennessee game, which, by the way, I'd also highly recommend.
Sean Crowe is a Senior Writer and an NFL Community Leader at Bleacher Report. You can email him at scrowe@gmail.com. His archive can be found here. You can find everything he writes, including articles for other publications, here.
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3 months ago
Nice job, Sean, but I'd give the edge to the Titans-Ravens game in Defensive Matchup of the week.
from 3 months ago
I thought about Titans-Ravens, but I think Pittsburgh-Jacksonville is more of a marque matchup...
3 months ago
You are such a hater Sean! The Skins will get you convinced yet, you'll see!
from 3 months ago
One thing's for sure: If I keep picking against them, they'll keep winning...
3 months ago
Really interesting stuff with the point differentials. In defense of the Skins (here comes my inner fan), they have played the Giants, Cardinals, Saints, and Cowboys. That's three teams who have very explosive offenses so I can see why the Skins haven't been able to win by 8 or 9 per game.
That being said, they have games against the Rams, Lions and Browns in upcoming weeks. I think we'll see their differential increase those weeks.
from 3 months ago
True. If you can't beat the Rams and Lions by a combined "many" points, you probably aren't a very good football team.
It's a little too early to put too much into the point differential, but it's still a valid stat. If they don't get better, they'll start losing games. Even the best teams can only win so many close games. Close games, a lot of times, come down to a lucky bounce or a lucky call. Eventually, they'll pretty much even out...
Thanks for reading!
3 months ago
Sean, what if the Redskins win?
Better quarterback? Philly?
Remember Doug Williams in the Super Bowl? How good of a quarterback was Doug Williams compared to the elite of the league when he played?
I'm not saying Zorn is the great mastermind Gibbs was in his first tenure, BUT. What if he has the magic to make him shine, and not just him, the whole offense.
I know I'm just dreaming, but I think DC has the right players to overachieve under the right conditions.
Thrash, Cooley, Springs, MOSS, Randle, Portis, maybe the rookie receiver?
Just a thought!
from 3 months ago
I like Portis and Cooley... Moss is great when healthy.
I sort of agree with you. But when you say "overachieve" you're implying that if they play to their talent level they won't win. That's kind of where I am with the Redskins. They've been overachieving.
Can that continue Sunday? Sure. But it's a must-win for the Eagles...and usually the better teams win when they have to...
3 months ago
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