2014 Washington Predictions
The Washington Redskins’ roller-coaster ride over the past three years from worst to first to worst leaves us with many more questions than answers heading into the 2014 season.
2013 Record: 3-13
ATS: 5-11
Redskins Odds to win the NFC East: +425
Redskins Odds to win the NFC Conference: +3000
Redskins Odds to win Super Bowl XLIX: +6000
Redskins’ fans are hoping for a return to the 10-win season in 2012 that led to a NFC East title, but all signs point to something more in line with the team’s results in 2011 and 2013, which consisted of a combined eight wins.
Let’s take a look at the numbers
The biggest reason for Washington’s run to the division title in 2012 was rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III and one of the biggest reasons for just three victories in 2013 was RG III. As a rookie he threw for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing 65.6 percent of his 393 attempts. His numbers in 2013 were not that far off with 3,203 passing yards and 16 touchdowns while completing 60.1 percent of 456 attempts.
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The most impactful difference was his turnovers with just seven in his rookie year and 16 last season. He also got off to numerous slow starts that worked to put his team in an early hole that it was never able to climb out of. With a full offseason to get healthy from a major knee injury, many experts are looking for a return to that Year 1 form in his third season in the NFL.
You cannot pin all of last year’s woes on RG III and an offense that only managed to score an average of 20.9 points a game when you have a defense that ended the season ranked 31st in the NFL in points allowed (29.9). New head coach Jay Gruden, who is known for his work on the offensive side of the ball, went with linebacker Trent Murphy as the team’s first draft pick with the 47th overall pick in the second round. The Redskins also signed former Dallas defensive lineman Jason Hatcher and cornerback Tracy Porter as free agents to help turn things around. They also came to terms with two of their veteran defensive players by resigning Brian Orakpo and DeAngelo Hall to new deals
The biggest offseason addition was Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who was unexpectedly given his outright release from Philadelphia. There is no doubt that he is one of the premier playmakers in the league, but it remains to be seen if some of the baggage he accumulated during his time in Philly follows him down Route 95 South to Washington.
Redskins Betting Outlook
BetOnline has set Washington’s projected win total in 2014 to 7.5 games with the moneyline favoring the UNDER at -130. There is a possibility that nine wins would be enough to win the NFC East season.
Unfortunately, with the NFC West on the 2014 schedule as well as trying to dramatically improve upon a 0-6 record against the division in 2013, anything more than seven wins for this team in 2014 is hard to see.
With training camps next up for the NFL betting offseason Cappers Picks NFL Football handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team Football Predictions and NFL Season Previews for those of us who can’t wait.
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