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News: Williams ruled out, Reed ruled maybe, predictions lazy or crazy?
The Washington Redskins are so close to Sunday they can smell it. The team continued practices on Wednesday with a few familiar faces seen emerging from the trainer's room, among them former Pro-Bowl tight end Jordan Reed, who's looking to make 2019 a bit of a comeback season. Reed has a shot at playing Sunday, but Colt McCoy doesn't. The one player everyone wants to know about... welp.
Wednesday packed in a plethora of predictions for the upcoming season. With the league celebrating its 100th anniversary, the pundits got their Nostradamus on. The Redskins didn't fair well, with one often-cited exception. Are the future looks just lazy narratives, or crazy enough to happen? Here's your News and Notes.
EPA, success rates preview Redskins-Eagles, Cowboys-Giants Week 1 tilts :: Redskin Maven
Expected Points Added, or EPA, analyzes each play by how many fractional points are added based on given factors; down, distance, time remaining and field position. On base level positive EPA is good, negative bad. The Redskins had more of the latter, but there's room for improvement.
Washington’s big change comes in the form of its two new quarterbacks. The stats unfortunately do not inspire confidence that either will improve the team’s performance. Case Keenum is slated to get the start in week 1. Keenum finished last season in Denver ranking 30th out of 36 QBs (min. 200 passes) in EPA/pass. He finished 6th in this metric in his dream season with Minnesota in 2017, so there is obviously the potential to turn his game around with the right system. Perhaps Jay Gruden can bring that Case Keenum back.
How to Watch: Coverage map, live stream, wager info for Redskins-Eagles Week 1 :: Redskin Maven
A quick glance at the coverage map for Sunday's 1:00 PM EST games, makes it pretty clear what parts of the country are getting the Redskins-Eagles game on broadcast TV; anywhere in NFC East territory. The Mid-Atlantic and northeast, along with much of the southwest, will get to see the NFC's premiere clash.
Currently the Eagles are favored by 10 points, according to OddShark, with the over/under at 46.
Redskins-Eagles Injury Report :: John Keim
No surprises here. Reed remains limited following the dastardly hit he took in preseason, causing repeated concussion symptoms. It remains to be seen if he'll make big enough strides over the next four days to play on Sunday.
McCoy meanwhile is officially ruled out ahead of the divisional tilt, as is Trent Williams as he continues to stay away from the team.
Jordan Reed practices Wednesday, still in concussion protocol :: Fansided
More on Reed, who had been having a very healthy offseason until Keanu Neal of the Atlanta Falcons got his full dirty-bird on. Reed practiced, but remains in concussion protocol.
Thursday will be the key day for determining whether or not Reed will be on the field. But the fact that he returned to practice yesterday coupled with the fact that the Redskins were comfortable only keeping three tight ends on their initial 53-man roster indicates that they are confident that he will return to the field.
NFL Power Rankings 2019, Week 1: No one thinks the Redskins have a chance :: Hogs Haven
The season looks bleak, according to the national level sites, but the Redskins' time is coming. Most of the predicted win-loss totals and outlooks given placed the Redskins in last place in the NFC East, but with a ray of hope looming in Dwayne Haskins. Whether Haskins light will be guided by Jay Gruden is another question.
Jay Gruden has the best odds to be the first head coach fired this year. and the “experts” do not have any faith in the Redskins this year. Where do they rate this year’s version of the Washington Redskins?
Uni Watch: NFL Uniform Preview 2016
The Redskins have held off handing out No. 7 for 34 years before now. The last man to wear it, Joe Theismann gave the nod for the franchise quarterback of the future, Dwayne Haskins to take it over, and so a new chapter begins.
Jay Gruden speaks to the media :: Washington Redskins
Gruden gave his rundown of injuries and fielded questions on the Philadelphia Eagles, who the Redskins will take on in Week 1. Gruden seemed perturbed by the barrage of injury questions, and in fairness to him, he's answered them repeatedly, and there's an injury report for a reason. Meanwhile he said the team will aim to make Wentz and the Eagles "one-dimensional, as they've done to us."
100 Predictions for the 100th NFL season: Mahomes wins MVP, Browns end playoff drought, Brady retires :: CBS Sports
The Redskins made three appearances on CBS's list, and it was a mixed bag. They predict that the team will start two quarterbacks this year. Seems about right. They also predict that Jay Gruden will be fired, and bonus, he'll be the first head coach fired this season. Ouch. Luckily enough, with prediction No. 3 they've named the next head coach, Kevin O'Connell.
37. Redskins start at least two different quarterbacks
The Redskins started four different quarterbacks in 2018, and we may see something similar this upcoming season. Case Keenum is the Week 1 starter, but can he play well enough to hold off Dwayne Haskins? Colt McCoy was the No.1 quarterback when the depth chart first came out, what happens when he's 100 percent healthy?
73. Jay Gruden is the first coach fired
It's not Gruden's fault that the team has turned into a train wreck, but he's going to be the one who pays for it. It's hard to see Washington wining very many games with this roster and if the Redskins get off to a slow start, which is completely possible, because they play the Eagles, Cowboys and Bears, that might be enough to get Daniel Snyder to pull the trigger.
97. Kevin O'Connell becomes the Redskins' next head coach
The Redskins' former quarterbacks coach was promoted to offensive coordinator this offseason just to keep him on staff. He's in a position like Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur found himself in last season, in that he has been receiving attention from several different NFL teams. If Washington does fire Gruden, they will promote O'Connell to head coach. They missed out on Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and LaFleur. They won't let O'Connell walk.
