2009 Washington Redskins NFL Predictions
The Redskins got off to a fast 6-2 start in head coach Jim Zorn’s first season on the job, but they finished just 2-6. Will we see the team that started the season strongly or the team that finished poorly in 2009? Find out where I have Washington finishing in the NFC East in this 2009 NFL betting preview. The Washington Redskins are listed at +1900 to win Super Bowl XLIV at Bookmaker.
Bet your NFL picks at Bookmaker this season to take advantage of early NFL lines and a great 20% cash sign up bonus!
Offense – Jason Campbell looked like the player the Redskins’ organization had hoped he would become early in the season when he led his team to road wins over the Cowboys and the Eagles. He threw eight touchdown strikes with no interceptions during Washington’s 4-1 start but managed only five more touchdown passes and eight picks the rest of the way. It’s time for Campbell to make the Redskins organization proud for making him their first round pick in 2005. This may be his last chance.
Much like Campbell, running back Clinton Portis got off to a fast start, but then trailed off significantly in the season’s second half and butted heads with Zorn. He is still one of the best running backs in the league, but he has been a feature back in the NFL for seven years now. It may do the Skins good to give backup Ladell Betts a few more carries to keep Portis from another second half collapse. I have to give some props to fullback Mike Sellers, who made his first Pro Bowl at age 33.
Like Campbell and Portis, no. 1 wide receiver Santana Moss also struggled in the second half of the season. It’s plain as day that there’s a theme developing here, but whose fault was it? Was it Campbell’s? Was it Zorn’s? After starting off the season on a tear, Moss only recorded one touchdown in the second half of the season. And he wasn’t the only receiver who struggled in the second part of the year. Antwaan Randle El didn’t even have a 50-yard receiving game after the mid-point. Tight end Chris Cooley was consistent throughout and made a repeat trip to the Pro Bowl after pulling in a career-high 83 catches. I’m starting to think, Washington’s offensive problems in the second half were the fault of the coaching staff and Campbell. The play calling seemed to get more conservative and Campbell didn’t appear willing to take risks down the field when called upon.
The line is aging, but it was good enough to make the Skins the best rushing team in the league through the first half of the season. Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels anchors the unit.
Defense – The Redskins are hoping defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth will prove worth the $100 million they paid him. I think he will be, and his presence up front should make the entire defense better. Plus, in comes highly regarded defensive end Brian Orakpo to provide some fireworks off the edge. The linebacker unit was arguably the Redskins best defensive unit in 2008, but it must adequately replace Marcus Washington to claim that again. London Fletcher continues to get the job done at middle linebacker. Shawn Springs is gone, but the Skins should still boast a talented secondary in 2009 with DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers anchoring the unit.
Prediction: 4th NFC East - The Redskins will remain a pretty good football team and would probably be a playoff team if they played in several other NFL divisions. They could surprise if Campbell finally has a breakout year, but that seems like to much to bank on. The Redskins are listed at +600 to win the NFC East at BetUS.
Try Jimmy Boyd’s free NFL picks on for size this season!
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- 2009 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Redskins
- St. Louis Rams at Washington Redskins NFL Betting Lines & Picks
- Kansas City Chiefs at Washington Redskins NFL Picks & Predictions
- Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions NFL Spread & Picks
- Washington Redskins at Carolina Panthers NFL Picks & Predictions
 |  |  |  |  |  |
Comments
4 Responses to “2009 Washington Redskins NFL Predictions”
Got something to say?
As far as your picks are concerned; the Eagles clearly have more holes than the Redskins, the Cowboys are overrated as usual just because they’re the Cowboys.
The Giants are consistently the best team in the division but the Redskins defense should make them very competitive and it should prove very difficult for teams to run on the Redskins defense. If the Redskins offense can maintain it’s run game and improve the passing game to the point of being average statistically they could be a difficult team to play. In the end it will probably come down to who has the fewest injuries.
Bill,
The NFC East should be a tight race again with the strong possibility of 3 playoff teams and I would not be surprised at all if the Redskins won the division. With that said, the way they finished last season is cause for concern and Campbell is yet to live up to the expectations for an entire season. While Washington should be better defensively, I’m not sure it will be good enough offensively to win the East. You said it yourself, “if” the Redskins can maintain their running game and “if” their passing game is average. I think Washington will be able to run, but the passing game is going to have to be better than average or defenses are just going to stack the box. Thanks for your 2 cents worth and I wish your Skins well this season.
jimmy jimmy coco pop, be realistic, the redskins are lurking
Harold, lurking is probably a good word to describe the Skins. There is definitely talent there, but this team is yet to put it all together. If they do, they could easily be right in the mix. Last year’s second half collapse is cause for concern, however, and Campbell needs a breakout season. Let’s see how the Skins lurk in 2009.