[skinsfaninok]

2. The return of Shanahan: Mike Shanahan's return to Denver isn't getting the attention Peyton Manning had last Sunday night in Indianapolis, but it should. Shanahan established an incredible legacy leading the Broncos. He was 138-86, had seven trips to the playoffs and won two Super Bowls. Sure, it was John Elway's franchise, but Shanahan was the perfect caretaker. For Shanahan, facing the Broncos will bring back plenty of great memories and one bad one -- his firing. He didn't expect it. After being let go after the 2008 season, Shanahan sat for a year and then accepted Dan Snyder's invitation to coach the Redskins. Unfortunately for Shanahan, the Redskins aren't equal to the Broncos at the moment. Washington is 2-4 while the Broncos are 6-1. Manning is thinking Super Bowl. Shanahan is just trying to squeeze as much out of a cap-strapped roster as he can. Nevertheless, it should be an interesting scene.

[+] EnlargeRobert Griffin III
Brad Mills/USA TODAY SportsRedskins QB Robert Griffin III is steadily returning to his pre-injury form.

3. The recovery of RG III: Because of the Redskins' 2-4 start, fewer fans might be following the Redskins, but each week Griffin is getting better. Coming off a knee reconstruction, he looked as though he was playing at about 75 percent efficiency in the first few weeks of the season. Last Sunday's 45-41 victory over the Chicago Bears illustrated his improvements. He threw for 298 yards and ran for 84. Since the Week 5 bye, Griffin has run the ball 20 times for 161 yards. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Griffin is now starting to keep the ball on read-option plays. He kept the ball on only two read-options in the first two games. In the past three, he's kept it 14 times for 100 yards. With no preseason and coming off a major knee injury, Griffin was expected to have a slow start. He's close to being back to where he was before the injury.