There is some growing optimism about this Redskin season. A 2-1 start with a win over the Packers will inspire a level of hopefulness. Monday night’s game in New Orleans may provide the justification for that hope or shatter it.
The Redskins haven’t had many “prove it” early-season games like this one in recent years. Last year’s game against the Chiefs in week 4 felt similar but that’s the only one I can think of that really compares.
The Skins haven’t started 2-1 since 2011 and that beginning with Rex Grossman at the helm seemed fraudulent to all who were watching it. The way the Redskins play in New Orleans will be a substantive season signal one way or another.
For starters, the early-season optimism stems mostly from a sense that the defense is much better than it’s been in recent years. It’s not uncommon to hear people talk about the Redskins’ defense as one of the best in the NFL right now.
It’s currently ranked 3rd in the league even though that could be a bit deceiving considering they played an Arizona team that was woefully unprepared for the season-opener. Throw in the fact that Green Bay dropped 4-5 passes from a wounded Aaron Rodgers as a reason to put the breaks on talk that the defense has somehow gone from bad to elite in less than a year.
The talent is growing though. Allen and Payne are legit. Everyone around them benefits from their presence. The first real test though of just how good the Skins’ D is comes against Drew Brees and a New Orleans offense ranked in the top 4 of every offensive category so far. If you’re looking for a signal that this year is different, then the Skins’ resurgent defense will slow down the Saints.
Meanwhile, the Saints’ defense isn’t very good. It ranks 28th on 3rd-down; 24th overall. The Skins’ offense has had three good quarters out of the twelve its played. If last year’s team included a good to very good defense like the one we may be watching this year, it would’ve won 10 games.
This year’s offense appears to be a work in progress at best but there’s reason to believe that the work will eventually produce. For the first time since the Shanahans were here, there is an actual running-game threat thanks to an aging but inspired hall of famer. Add to that, a healthy Jordan Reed, Jamison Crowder, and Chris Thompson give the Skins enough weapons even without an obvious stretch-the-field deep threat to become reliable.
If you’re looking for a signal that the Skins’ offense is good enough to contribute to a defensive-led “playoff” season, then big production against a sub-par Saints’ defense is a must.
Imagine the Skins’ defense is the first to slow down the Saints explosive offense. Imagine Alex Smith and company take advantage of a N.O. defense filled with holes. Now imagine that the combination of both leads to a 31-21 win in the Superdome to get to 3-1.
If those images become reality, the Redskins will have signaled they are a contender in the NFC.
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