Why we must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

It is critical that the Skins start fast this season.

The reason is that in the first six weeks we play 4 of the 6 non-division teams on our schedule that we should beat, 3 of them at home. If we’re not at least 4-2 after our 6th game, which is on Oct. 18th, we may be in trouble.

As I see it, we play 6 non-division teams we should beat (Rams, Lions, Bucs, Chiefs, Broncos, and Raiders), 4 non-division teams that should beat us (Carolina, Falcons, Saints, and Chargers), and our division games (which I hope we’ll be able to split 3-3). If we beat 5 of the 6 non-division teams we should beat, steal one game from the 4 non-division teams that should beat us, and split the division games, we finish 9-7. But we may need to finish 10-6 to make the playoffs. So, we may need to find one more win somewhere without giving away any games.

In the first 6 games, we won’t be expected to beat either the Giants or the Panthers at their places. But we also play the Rams, Lions, Bucs, and Chiefs in the first 6 games, all but the Lions at home.

After that, we play 5 of our 6 division games, 3 of the 4 teams that should beat us (2 of them away), and only 2 of the teams we should beat (1 on the road). So, 8 of our final 10 games should be very tough to win. That’s why I think we’d better be at least 4-2 after 6 games if we hope to make the playoffs.

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

Agreed. The schedule dictates that a fast start is required. We need to be 5-3 or better at the midway point.

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

Not to look to far ahead & like you guys i'm a die hard Redskin fan but yes we need a good start & a great finish. One game at a time, one game at a time i have to keep repeating to myself. HTTR.

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

Of the 6 division games - The Redskins will go 1-1 against 2 of the division rivals and 2-0 against another (hopefully the Cowboys LOL). That's 4-2 right there.
The non-division teams are Rams, Lions, Buccaneers, Panthers, Chiefs, Falcons, Broncos, Saints, Raiders and Chargers. Of those 10 games, the Redskins should beat the Rams, Lions, Bucs, Chiefs, and Raiders meaning another 5 games which makes them 9-2.
The tougher games are the Falcons, Broncos, Saints, Chargers, and Panthers. Of those the Redskins should go 2-3 or 3-2 meaning the final W/L count should be 11-5 or 12-4. Now this is an extremely optimistic count and if the Redskins go 11-5 or 12-4, division champ or at the very least wild card.

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

no need to over anylize this as we will need a good team to score points to win games i would like to win the first game against the giants.AND make a statement that we are the team to beat this year.!!!!!HAIL

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

I hope for a WIN and think we will get it in NY week one. But don't get carried away, this is a marathon not a sprint!

We got off to a fast start last season, didn't work out to well. Have to carry your weight every week, and get hot down the stretch!

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

Here is how it goes. We beat the Giants, Rams, and so on....... We get up to a 6 - 1 record.

"They havent played anybody.....blah blah". We definitely have to at least start 5-2 to have a chance at winning the division, or even to pick up a wildcard spot. The first half of the season is a good stretch for the skins to gel together, gain a bunch of confidence and set their record up for advancement into the preseason.

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

Ill reiterate what has been mentioned because it is what I believe. One game at a time, take care of your business each week and good things will happen. The giants will be a good test in week 1 to see what the skins will be made of.

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

[quote=Warpath;585482]Ill reiterate what has been mentioned because it is what I believe. One game at a time, take care of your business each week and good things will happen. The giants will be a good test in week 1 to see what the skins will be made of.[/quote]

I understand the mindset of taking it one game at a time from the perspective of the players and coaches. They have to approach things that way to maintain their focus and intensity.

On the other hand, we fans can look ahead and clearly see that the early part of the Skins schedule seems to have more winnable games than the latter part of their schedule. So, if the Skins don't win enough of their early games, it stands to reason that it will become a more difficult task for them to make the playoffs. That's because they will have to string together more wins against tougher competition. I think that's a valid observation.

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

[quote=KI Skins Fan;585494]I understand the mindset of taking it one game at a time from the perspective of the players and coaches. They have to approach things that way to maintain their focus and intensity.

On the other hand, we fans can look ahead and clearly see that the early part of the Skins schedule seems to have more winnable games than the latter part of their schedule. So, if the Skins don't win enough of their early games, it stands to reason that it will become a more difficult task for them to make the playoffs. That's because they will have to string together more wins against tougher competition. I think that's a valid observation.[/quote]

Id say looking at the schedule and comparing it to last years results that is a vaild observation. There are always surprise teams either better or worse than expected every year. But lets wait and see how the team reacts to the giants game. Once that game is over I think we'll have a good idea of how we'll do this season.

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

Obviously our schedule is front loaded as far as winnable games. I get really nervous thinking about that week 17 game in San Diego. There's a chance that will be a win and get in scenario for us. My hope for that game is that San Diego is so much better than every other team in the AFC West that they'll have their division and playoff seeding locked up and rest their starters.

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

The Redskin schedule looks like last year's. Relatively easy in the first half and more difficult in the second half. The Skins have been unpredictable. They play hard against tough competition and soft against weak opponents. Hopefully they won't repeat that trend.

Re: We must start fast to make the playoffs.
 

[quote=hail_2_da_skins;585540]The Redskin schedule looks like last year's. Relatively easy in the first half and more difficult in the second half. [B]The Skins have been unpredictable. They play hard against tough competition and soft against weak opponents.[/B] Hopefully they won't repeat that trend.[/quote]

Until the Skins get to the point that they can beat almost all, if not all, of the weaker teams on their schedule they are going to struggle to make the playoffs.

I think most of us would agree that there are 6 weaker teams on the Skins' schedule that they should be able to beat. If they could win 5 of those 6 games and split the rest, then they would finish 10-6 and, in all liklihood, be in the playoffs.

The Skins also need to get to the point where they are very hard to beat at home. They lose too many games at FedEx.