Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Coming up on camp, rosters are generally set and offense/defense is being installed. On paper, Id say the roster has a nice collection of talent across the board. QB signed long term, we have some coaching continuity, we addressed a lot of holes, years of sticking to the draft team building has seemed to payoff....So how does this come together to make the playoffs? What needs to happen and what could go wrong.

Why the Skins will make the playoffs:

1. We finally have a Running Back/Running attack who can support the offense in the controlling the ball, support the pass game and improve the red zone.

2. We have now versatile D-Line which contribute to pass rush, but most importantly stop the run. Great coach there should have them ready.

3. Paul Richardson/Josh Doctson fill the void left as pass catchers of D Jax/Perrie Garcon. Paul is the deep threat and Doctson becomes a consistent WR...we need this to work in tandem.

4. Red zone improves because of A Smith and Run Game. More TD, less Kicking field goals, simple right? We have proven that to be not true.

Why the Skins will miss the playoffs:

1. Run game does not pan. Guice bust, Thompson hurt and Perine doesn't take next step. Ive said this from the season has ended...we don't run the ball with A Smith, double digit losses. The defense cant be on the field 60-65% of the time.

2. Brandon Schreff play diminishes/injury. Diminish play unlikely...fo sho. Questions at LG, an unproven Center, sad depth.....we need Schreff to be a rock in the middle.

3. We struggle at Corner opposite Josh Norman. We lost a lot of talent at CB...we need someone to step up here.

4. WR core struggles for the second consecutive year. Injuries, Richardson doesn't transition, Doctson busts, crowder continues to disappoint.

What you got? Im not worried as much with Alex Smith...but I (and neither did anyone here) have an issues with Cousins at QB coming in at the QB position the last couple years.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Definitely enough talent on the roster to win 10 games and compete for a wild card, at the very least.

As usual the x factor will be injuries.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

I think this has the potential to be a VERY talented team. If that potential is realized, I think this is a playoff team.

The potential, however, is tricky - Smith, Doctson, Guice and Reed. If they live up to what, I believe, they can (for Reed it is a more a matter of being injury free at the right times) dominate on offense. Whatever else Gruden does, he gets guys open. Also, between Alex Smith and Guice, I think the Skins start scoring in the Red Zone. These are guys with a nose for the end zone.

On defense, again, the potential is there. If Allen, Payne, Ionaddis stay uninjured and the depth holds up, I think the interior five (those three plus Foster/Brown) FINALLY clamps down on the opposing run games. If that happens, good things will follow.

We have one of the tougher schedules from what I recall, but I just don't see that as an issue. We also have a tough division, but I think that we can be more than competitive in it.

They are building the right way. I am hopeful that the team can really step up into the double digit win category and begin doing so on a regular basis. I am cautiously optimistic that the team is going through some foundational changes that will let it take the next step to be perennial contenders rather than perennially mediocre with flashes of very good.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

My optimism stems from the defensive side of the ball. I think Montae Nicholson is a very, very important player in the making. His speed and athleticism permit our corners to get more aggressive and permits Manusky to mix up his coverage schemes more.

With a healthy Allen and Zach Brown, plus the addition of Payne and Settle, it's a given that teams will find themselves in more 3rd and 6s against us, and fewer 3rd and 2s.

That's where Nicholson's range comes into play. I think we get off the field much more effectively in 2018.

Montae Nicholson is the player in the secondary that it all hinges around - he will make the difference between another iffy defense and a decent one. Pair that up with our inevitably strong offense and I'm more than optimistic that it can all come together.

If I were buying a jersey now, with the thought in mind of who will be the player we're cheering about most in January 2019, it's Montae Nicholson. I love the guy.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

If the question is where does the optimism stem from, mine comes from the injuries last season. It was terrible to go through them, but it gave our depth chances to play and our coaches chances to really evaluate second line players. Assuming even a slightly better level of health, we should be able to rotate players in defense without losing a beat.

Also our offense should be very potent, people downplaying AS's accomplishments with various teams are going to see what he can do when he is the guy. We may only get 3-5 years from him, but I believe our offense will run in the top tier each year. I also think Gruden will trust him with a wide open game plan.

That said, I think our greatest obstacle will be Gruden's tendency to play conservative to quickly in games, and his game management skills late in the half and game. But even there having AS to run 2 minute drills and end of half decisions strengthens this team's intangibles.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

My optimism comes from having a QB that is dedicated to the team and that without a doubt would go the extra mile to win games.

I'm excited to see the new pieces on the defense, especially the d-line. I think we have a lot of potential on that side of the ball and expect a big leap in improvement.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

I just don't see us losing more than 7 games, I think this team is really set up to win those [B]CLOSE[/B] games, Alex is a winner, the fact that he has made 6 of 7 playoff appearances in no joke. Guice will keep the Offense on the field more. Payne will help the run D with Allen and M.I coming back. Like Matt said and we all know, It's all on injuries. Week 1 comes and Trent or Alex go down and we are done. Happens for every team 90% of the time too.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Lots to be optimistic about in the upcoming year.

As to the OP's query: If you asked me to bet on whether we make the play-offs or don't make the play-offs, I would bet that we do. However, it would not be a particularly [I]large[/I] bet.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Best case 11-5
Worst case 7-9

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

We're going 14-2 this year. 'nuff said.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;1195211]Lots to be optimistic about in the upcoming year.

As to the OP's query: If you asked me to bet on whether we make the play-offs or don't make the play-offs, I would bet that we do. However, it would not be a particularly [I]large[/I] bet.[/quote]

The problem with the bet is that we could still be a good team and not make the playoffs in a stacked NFC

[B][U]Very Likely[/U][/B]
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
New Orleans Saints
Los Angeles Rams
Philadelphia Eagles(I have them here, but the NFC is close between the Skins, Giants and Eagles)

[B][U]Possible[/U][/B]
Washington Redskins
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Detroit Lions
New York Giants
Seattle Seahawks

[B][U]No chance[/U][/B]
San Francisco 49ers (I really want to put them in the possible category)
Arizona Cardinals
Chicago Bears
Dallas Cowboys

Compared to the AFC
[B][U]Very Likely[/U][/B]
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Jacksonville Jaguars

Team
[B][U]Possible[/U][/B]
Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland Browns
Houston Texans
Los Angeles Chargers
Oakland Raiders
Kansas City Chiefs
Tennessee Titans

[B][U]Unlikely[/U][/B]
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
New York Jets
Cincinnati Bengals
Indianapolis Colts
Denver Broncos

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

I can't bear to think we won't make the playoffs. This is my time of year for unbridled optimism.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

I’d bet at least 2-3 of the so called heavy hitters in the NFC will under achieve, happens every year due to injuries, tough schedules, etc.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Panthers Falcons and Saints all strike me as teams that can go 7-9 as easily as 11-5. Not a lot of year to year consistency there.

But CRed your point stands, there is competition.

I do think this year is a little different for us, in that previously we only had one way to win: score 30+ with an aerial show. This year I think we can grind them out on the ground too, and the defense will at least be a contributor rather than the unit the offense has to carry.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=MTK;1195227]I’d bet at least 2-3 of the so called heavy hitters in the NFC will under achieve, happens every year due to injuries, tough schedules, etc.[/quote]

Nobody saw the Rams or Eagles being deep contenders last yr. We could be that team this season, nothing is for certain in the NFL.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Alex Smith, have seen lots of him. He’s a good QB but fizzles in playoff games plus he’s 33 years old. I’ve always liked Smith but he always disappoints me. I hope he proves me wrong.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Payne, Allen, and Ioaniddis stay healthy and good Preston Smith plays in all 16 games.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Honestly, on paper, this looks like the best Redskins team we've had in a long time. That's what scares me about this season!

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=metalskins;1195254]Honestly, on paper, this looks like the best Redskins team we've had in a long time. That's what scares me about this season![/quote]

It says this: the reasons we won't make the playoffs are not the Redskins. The reasons we won't make the playoffs, if we don't make it, will be:

- The Philadelphia Eagles
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints
- Los Angeles Rams
- Carolina Panthers
- Atlanta Falcons
- New York Giants
- Seattle Seahawks

It basically comes back to CRed's point. We've done a good job of improving. In June, it's hard for me to fault anything the front office has done, truthfully, given that Cousins was going to leave.

But have we gotten better [B]enough[/B] to beat this list of teams?

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=Schneed10;1195258]It says this: the reasons we won't make the playoffs are not the Redskins. The reasons we won't make the playoffs, if we don't make it, will be:

- The Philadelphia Eagles
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints
- Los Angeles Rams
- Carolina Panthers
- Atlanta Falcons
- New York Giants
- Seattle Seahawks

It basically comes back to CRed's point. We've done a good job of improving. In June, it's hard for me to fault anything the front office has done, truthfully, given that Cousins was going to leave.

But have we gotten better [B]enough[/B] to beat this list of teams?[/quote]

I've always felt that in the last couple of seasons, the team was on that fine line between being a 10+ win team, and missing the playoffs. There are games that were pretty much won that the team lost. A lot of that may have to do with not being able to have a more ball controlled offensive strategy late in the game. The hope is that with Guice, Thompson, and Perine or Fat Rob, we will have that ball controlled, "sit on the lead and not give the ball back" type of game plan.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=metalskins;1195259]I've always felt that in the last couple of seasons, the team was on that fine line between being a 10+ win team, and missing the playoffs. There are games that were pretty much won that the team lost. A lot of that may have to do with not being able to have a more ball controlled offensive strategy late in the game. The hope is that with Guice, Thompson, and Perine or Fat Rob, we will have that ball controlled, "sit on the lead and not give the ball back" type of game plan.[/quote]

I completely 100% agree with you. Stopping the run better, and grinding out clocks on the ground better. That to me is the difference this year. It should make us more 'multiple', tougher to game plan against, and tougher to beat.

We face tough competition but if injuries break our way as Matty aptly points out, there's no reason why not us.

The difference between being good and bad in the NFL really is a fine line.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=Schneed10;1195258]It says this: the reasons we won't make the playoffs are not the Redskins. The reasons we won't make the playoffs, if we don't make it, will be:

- The Philadelphia Eagles
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints
- Los Angeles Rams
- Carolina Panthers
- Atlanta Falcons
- New York Giants
- Seattle Seahawks

It basically comes back to CRed's point. We've done a good job of improving. In June, it's hard for me to fault anything the front office has done, truthfully, given that Cousins was going to leave.

But have we gotten better [B]enough[/B] to beat this list of teams?[/quote]

NFC seems extremely more competitive than the AFC. Id only remove Chicago, Arizona from the NFC playoff picture. Im tempted to put Tampa and Seattle (I think Seattle goes double digit losses this year) in the cant make too.


The only team Id say place in the NFC playoffs right now is Minnesota...the roster is extremely talented and still improving.

Philly, Rams and Carolina are legit contenders.

Im putting the Skins easily with every other team Ive not mentioned as contenders for the playoffs. Its wide open

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Will make the playoff if:
1: Doctson and Richardson are legit #1 and #2 WRs
2: Reed and Nicholson stay healthy
3: Gruden coaches with some BALLS this year
4: 2 RB only! Guice needs carries and CT is our 3rd down back. I don't want to see anyone else carry the ball
5: Kerrigan and Smith both need double digit sack years to help out the secondary


Won't make the playoff if:
1: They start the season in Preseason mode again (Soft ass Jay Gruden)
2: The young talent is overrated or isn't available

Bill Parcells once said that Availability is the greatest ability.

I'm not very optimistic about the playoff because we need a lot of young guys to develop this year and stay healthy.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Will make the playoff if:
1) The team can stay healthy
2) The offensive line can pass protect for Alex Smith and [B][U]open holes for our RB's[/U][/B].
3) The DB's and LB's develop and become a great back 8.

Won't make the playoff if:
1) We have another season of a ton of injuries
2) We do not have an effective run game and cannot protect Alex Smith.
3) The secondary does not develop and we do not have an effective nickle slot CB.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=Schneed10;1195258]It says this: the reasons we won't make the playoffs are not the Redskins. The reasons we won't make the playoffs, if we don't make it, will be:

- The Philadelphia Eagles
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints
- Los Angeles Rams
- Carolina Panthers
- Atlanta Falcons
- New York Giants
- Seattle Seahawks

It basically comes back to CRed's point. We've done a good job of improving. In June, it's hard for me to fault anything the front office has done, truthfully, given that Cousins was going to leave.

But have we gotten better [B]enough[/B] to beat this list of teams?[/quote]
I don't know ,the Skins have done well. The Seahawks I think are going in a downward direction and I am not sure that the Rams are for real or the Vikings and I think the Giants are improved but at best an 8-8 year to much newness(new players ,coachs, offense,etc)

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

The NFC is loaded, if we were in the AFC I'd say we win 11 games easy.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[QUOTE=jamf;1195263]Will make the playoff if:

1: Doctson and Richardson are legit #1 and #2 WRs

2: Reed and Nicholson stay healthy

3: Gruden coaches with some BALLS this year

4: 2 RB only! Guice needs carries and CT is our 3rd down back. I don't want to see anyone else carry the ball

5: Kerrigan and Smith both need double digit sack years to help out the secondary





Won't make the playoff if:

1: They start the season in Preseason mode again (Soft ass Jay Gruden)

2: The young talent is overrated or isn't available



Bill Parcells once said that Availability is the greatest ability.



I'm not very optimistic about the playoff because we need a lot of young guys to develop this year and stay healthy.[/QUOTE]



This.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=Schneed10;1195258]It says this: the reasons we won't make the playoffs are not the Redskins. The reasons we won't make the playoffs, if we don't make it, will be:

- The Philadelphia Eagles
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints
- Los Angeles Rams
- Carolina Panthers
- Atlanta Falcons
- New York Giants
- Seattle Seahawks

It basically comes back to CRed's point. We've done a good job of improving. In June, it's hard for me to fault anything the front office has done, truthfully, given that Cousins was going to leave.

But have we gotten better [B]enough[/B] to beat this list of teams?[/quote]

We beat the Rams last year, and the Seahawks, and the Giants, and basically beat the Saints just had the most epic collapse ever. I think we can beat anyone of those teams on any given day, it is the consistentcy that bothers me

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Agree on most of the points made. I think Seattle is trending down but as long as Russell Wilson is playing they have a chance. Can't put them out of the picture because of him alone.

Plenty of reasons to be optimistic. We did beat some good teams and I loved how we played when fully healthy (the KC loss was a well played game, and the Oakland game was incredible).

But we did lose twice to Philly and Dallas, and once to NYG even though they were hapless. We need to win in our own division to make the playoffs. We can get in by wildcard, but that will be impossible if we go 2-4 or 3-3.

Dallas was a rough matchup for us last year with their stellar offensive line going up against our cupcake defensive line. This year that script could flip - Payne and Allen will make that a big boy pants game within the game.

We beat Dallas twice instead of losing to them twice, and it flips the script for us. Manage to split with Philly, then we're REALLY talking.

NFC East division games are where it's at.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=Schneed10;1195313]NFC East division games are where it's at.[/quote]

Completely agree with this point. We must play our division at least 3-3.

You know, there was a time when a Redskins coach couldn't keep his job if he didn't beat Dallas.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

People are way too high on the Giants, yeah they got Barkley but will ODB be back to the same before that injury? Is the Line a huge upgrade from last yr? They lost some help on the D as well. Eli is old, I'm not sure I'd put them ahead of us or Dallas at this point.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;1195316]People are way too high on the Giants, yeah they got Barkley but will ODB be back to the same before that injury? Is the Line a huge upgrade from last yr? They lost some help on the D as well. Eli is old, I'm not sure I'd put them ahead of us or Dallas at this point.[/quote]

I think folks are way too high on Green Bay. That defense has a lot to prove and Aaron Rodger is reminding everytime he talks how he didn't like the moves in the FO or the fact they let his boyfriend Jordy leave. I think Seattle and Green Bay are on implode alert. Im also watching the Steelers, Big Ben is the biggest fake-tough of all time...he's a whiner unlike any other...now that they let one of the best O-Cordinators in the game walk...should be fun to see how that goes.


When it comes to under the Radar....San Diego Chargers could be very good this year. Baltimore gonna come back and win double digits this year.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;1195316]People are way too high on the Giants, yeah they got Barkley but will ODB be back to the same before that injury? Is the Line a huge upgrade from last yr? They lost some help on the D as well. Eli is old, I'm not sure I'd put them ahead of us or Dallas at this point.[/quote]

Their line is a huge upgrade from last year. Going from Flowers to Solder and adding Will Hernandez (unless he's a bust) will revitalize their line completely. Add in an effective running game, and Eli will have more time. But that's the rub. For the Giants, it really all comes down to where Eli's skills stand.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[QUOTE=CRedskinsRule;1195320]Their line is a huge upgrade from last year. Going from Flowers to Solder and adding Will Hernandez (unless he's a bust) will revitalize their line completely. Add in an effective running game, and Eli will have more time. But that's the rub. For the Giants, it really all comes down to where Eli's skills stand.[/QUOTE]


Yeah adding those two significantly upgrades their line, no doubt

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

I'll give u the left side of the line but the right was just as bad last yr.. Again I'm not hating on them I'm just saying to pump the breaks from the media saying they will be a playoff team.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

Well, adding a run threat in Barkeley, and I would think Flowers will be an upgrade at RT even if he was not a starting LT caliber player, will improve their lot. Also, they had their own set of injuries, especially in receiving.

They were an 11 win team one season before, so I get the spin on them. I just never get the hate on our Skins.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;1195373]Well, adding a run threat in Barkeley, and I would think Flowers will be an upgrade at RT even if he was not a starting LT caliber player, will improve their lot. Also, they had their own set of injuries, especially in receiving.

They were an 11 win team one season before, so I get the spin on them. I just never get the hate on our Skins.[/quote]

We never ever get love from the media, when was the last time someone even predicted us to win the east? I can't recall

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;1195375]We never ever get love from the media, when was the last time someone even predicted us to win the east? I can't recall[/quote]

Why does that matter, they thought the Giants would be good last year,how'ed that turn out? It's the same way everywhere ,except Dallas.....they win the super bowl every year.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

I said it previously...I think the entire NFC East had all very good drafts...and really good offseasons in general. I think all the clubs got better and made smart personnel and coaching moves. Gonna be a tough year...looks good on paper, but lets see how it plays out on the field.

Re: Why Skins Will/Wont Make the Playoffs this coming Season.
 

[quote=Giantone;1195381]Why does that matter, they thought the Giants would be good last year,how'ed that turn out? It's the same way everywhere ,except Dallas.....they win the super bowl every year.[/quote]

The Giants are like the Steelers I never count them out