Week 3 is a Must Win for the Washington Redskins

At 0-2, the Washington Redskins need to pull away with a win against the Chicago Bears on Monday.

Since 2007, only 12.2% of teams that start the season 0-2 make it to the playoffs, per OddShark NFL Database. The last time the Redskins opened the season with two straight losses was 2016, when they finished the year 8-8. Believe it or not, they didn’t make the playoffs that year.

Week 3: A Defining Test for the Redskins

Despite the odds against them, the Redskins will likely have their best chance at winning yet against the Bears. Bears’ QB Mitchell Trubisky has struggled through two games, averaging just 169 yards passing, per Pro Football Reference. Also, their offense has only scored one touchdown in eight quarters of football. With so much inconsistency on the side of Chicago, Week 3 should be a defining test for Washington’s defense, as they’ve already been torched by Philly and Dallas in previous weeks. According to NFL.com, the Redskins have the 30th ranked defense in the league, above Arizona and Miami.

Image Courtesy of Getty Images.

To the surprise of many, the Redskins’ offense has actually been their forte. QB Case Keenum has thrown for 601 yards and five touchdowns – without an interception -, and rookie WR Terry McLaurin has 187 yards with two touchdown receptions. This offense was expected to be the weaker part of the team, but it’s the only thing that’s kept them in games. However, their running game has likely been the weakest link. The Redskins are ranked 30th in the league in rushing with just 75 total yards, per NFL.com. This problem isn’t directly rooted from one thing, but multiple issues across the offense. From the Derrius Guice injury, to the Adrian Peterson healthy scratch in Week 1, to the newly formed offensive line; there are plenty of fingers to point and even more faces to point them at.

The Road Ahead

For Washington, the schedule in front of them is full of opportunity. After the Bears, they’ll go on the road to face the rival New York Giants. If Week 3 isn’t a must win, then Week 4 certainly is. Afterward, the champion-esque New England Patriots come into town, followed by a road game against the “tanking” Miami Dolphins. Minus the game against the Patriots, the Redskins have a chance to right their record against sub-par opponents in upcoming weeks. However, a loss to the Bears will turn almost every game going forward into a must win scenario.

Featured Image Courtesy of the Associated Press.

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