With week six coming up this weekend, one-fourth of the NFL season is in the books. The fans have seen enough to make predictions on their teams and how far they will go this postseason. For all the die-hard Redskins fans the first four games have taught us three things, our run game is formidable, Kirk Cousins has the potential to lead the team to victory, and we have a serious chance at getting a step up in the division.
This season the Reskins offensive line has shown up to play twice, and when they have our run game has flourished. Against the St. Louis Rams the second game of the season, the O line dominated a highly touted St. Louis defensive front line. In that game running back, Matt Jones, averaged 6.5 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns. Along with Jones, Alfred Morris has shown sparks that he is still the powerful, down field runner he was when he entered the league. I am convinced that with a healthy offensive line playing at full potential, and a healthy Jones and Morris, the Redskin running game can combat any defense. But it makes a fan wonder, where would the Redskins be if the line had played more games like St. Louis when RGIII was taking snaps?
On Sept. 24, the Redskins played at the Meadowlands against the Giants, a divisional foe. Kirk Cousins had a mediocre game, a level that will not win in the cut throat NFC East. He threw two interceptions to out-weigh one touchdown. The first interception was to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a concerning interception considering Cousins threw it right to him. It was clear on that play that he was not truly seeing the field, just throwing at a spot without reading the defense. However, after seeing the past game against the Eagles, Kirk Cousins has shown he can lead the team down the field in a pressure situation. Cousins capped off a game winning drive with a precise pass to Pierre Garcon, threading the needle between two defenders. After four games, the fans have seen the potential in Cousins, we can only hope it will be sustained.
Injuries are a part of the professional world of sports, the Cowboys, a divisional foe, have experienced this harsher than anyone early this season. With their star quarterback Tony Romo on IR, and their star receiver Dez Bryant below 100 percent, now is the time to gain some distance from the Cowboys in the standings. The same goes for the Eagles. In Philadelphia, Sam Bradford is having a difficult time running the offense and Demarco Murray is still trying to get on track this season. They have failed to capture a divisional win, now is the time to gain distance on them. The Giants are the only team in the division that is looking solid, but one team to worry about is better than three. The division is open early and as it is every season, it will be a tough road the first place.
These are some early observations on the Washington Redskins this season. I predict that a first or second place finish is very attainable if everyone plays to their potential. I will watch, cheer, and scream as I watch my team progress through the season.
