The Washington Redskins are one of the tougher teams to predict heading into the 2019 season.
This stems from the situation under center with Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins. That’s what shook out in a new set of predictions from Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr:
I think there’s a fair chance this might be my biggest mistake. In this scenario, I’m imagining Dwayne Haskins being forced to start before he’s ready; but on the other hand, I think Jay Gruden is one of the more underrated coaches in the NFL. This run game could be an absolute handful, and Washington got better on defense. Imagine this division, as it tends to do, falling closer together than our breakdown here.
If Keenum ends up winning the job it is rather easy to see the veteran putting up similar numbers to Alex Smith while riding a strong defense. That had the Redskins at the five-win mark and in playoff contention last year rather easily before things fell apart.
But if the job goes to Haskins the outlook gets harder to discern — and it isn’t as cut and dry as the best player possible winning if the front office is overruling the coaching staff.
And while quarterback is the biggest conversation here, perhaps health should be. If the Redskins can avoid the injury bug again, five wins feels like the floor.
