The Redskins’ 2018 schedule is loaded with intriguing matchups against teams from the NFC South and AFC South in addition to Washington’s NFC East rivals.
Bottom line: Washington appears to have a middle-of-the-road schedule. It could be tougher, and it could be easier. As if the competition in the NFC East wasn’t strong enough, the division being matched up against the NFC South, which some consider the best division in football, makes life harder on Washington and its rivals. The Redskins could see a gloomy projection for their own season and think about what the Eagles were able to accomplish last year given a similar outlook. The problem is Washington doesn’t have the same level of talent on its roster. Record prediction: 6-10
Beyond Kendricks, the Vikings already have extended defensive end Everson Griffen, cornerback Xavier Rhodes, defensive tackle Linval Joseph, and receiver Adam Thielen. Executive V.P. of football operations Rob Brzezinski has been negotiating the deals for more than 20 years, and he’ll be trying to continue to keep the current team together.
“I would be lying if I said you don’t feel some pressure, because you want to be able to keep this team together and keep all your best players,” Brzezinski recently told Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
G.M. Rick Spielman realizes that the Vikings may not be able to accomplish the effort to extend Barr, Diggs, and Hunter.
“We’re still going to try,” Spielman said. “Is it going to be easy? No.”