New Look Redskins Shred Buffalo in 1st Pre-Season Game

The Washington Redskins are off to a great start with Donovan McNabb under center. It may only be the first pre-season game of the year, but there is a different aura surrounding the team thus far. A 42-17 thrashing of the Buffalo Bills Friday night is a good indication that this team is ready and confident in their ability to get to the next level this year.

The next level is obviously the playoffs, and possibly a Conference Championship appearance. Washington has been mired in mediocrity for year mostly due to their quarterback situation. Jason Campbell may not be the worst QB in the league, but this offense needs a Pro-Bowl caliber quarterback as they don’t have any standouts at wide receiver or running back.

The receiving group is comprised of several quality players, but none that can be considered elite. Santana Moss led the team with 70 catches and 902 yards in 2009. Those aren’t bad numbers for a receiver, but the problem is the major fall-off after Santana. Malcolm Kelly is the only other true wideout that contributed last season. He finished with 509 yards and 76 catches. Chris Cooley and Fred Davis are a solid 1-2 combination of tight ends, and will need to step up big this season to bail McNabb out when he gets in trouble. Devin Thomas turned some heads Friday as he caught 3 passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. He may be ready to have a breakout year, but it’s far too early to tell.

The running back situation is much more stable. Clinton Portis was sidelined with injuries for much of the 2009 season, but still finished with over 500 yards and 4.0 yards per carry. He will have a ton of help this year as the Redskins have brought in Willie Parker and Larry Johnson. Johnson may be at the tail end of his career, but he is still a load and will be valuable in the red-zone. Parker is coming off of a season in which he was passed over for a younger more explosive back. He may be 29, but doesn’t have nearly as many touches as L.J., and still has the potential to carry the load.

McNabb left the Philadelphia Eagles on bad terms, and clearly has a chip on his shoulder. He is getting up there in age, but is a tremendous athlete with more talent than most quarterbacks in the league today. If he can learn the offense quickly and get this team off to a fast start, there is no telling how far they can go. Their defense has always been in the top 5 of the NFL, and will hold their own this season.

The majority of NFL experts have the Redskins finishing either 3rd or 4th in the NFC East behind Dallas and New York, but it would not be surprising to see them win 9 or 10 games and make the playoffs as a wildcard winner. The sportsbooks have the Redskins slated as a 7-8 win team. Only time will tell.

Related posts:

1. Redskins are the Surprise of the Pre-Season
2. Raiders Take Down Dallas in First NFL Pre-Season Game
3. 2010 NFL Predictions: Washington Redskins
4. Sunday Pre-Season Action: Raiders vs. Saints
5. Buccaneers and Patriots in Pre-Season Showdown

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