What if I told you that the Washington Redskins moved up in the NFL Power Rankings despite playing one of the worst games in franchise history, losing on Monday Night Football and entering the new week with major questions as to whether their head coach would see another day with the team?
Somehow, that’s what happened this week.
According to the ESPN Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, the Redskins moved up one spot to No. 29 in the league despite falling to the Chicago Bears on Monday after falling behind 28-0 in the first half. Fortunately for Washington, the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets seem to be having seasons that are as bad or worse than the Redskins, so they have fallen from the graces of being ranked in the 20s.
They entered the Monday night game 30th in yards per game allowed and tied for 30th in points allowed. The defense was supposed to be a strength, but they’ve put together a nasty combo: no pressure, a lack of creativity with the front seven plus coverage breakdowns. The line was supposed to be a strength, but losing Jonathan Allen for a game and a half hurt those plans. For the Redskins to have any chance this season, the defense needs to at least flirt with the top 10. It’s a couple of counties away from that neighborhood right now.
With a revitalized New York Giants squad this weekend, followed by a trip to Foxborough to take on the defending champions, there is a real possibility that the Redskins fall to 0-5 to start the season. I wonder where they’ll sit in the power rankings then.
