Schedule, 2010

The NFL released its 2010 schedule Tuesday, and so I now get to tell you all how I think the Redskins will do this season.

First off, the actual schedule, courtesy of the Redskins:

What we have here is a fairly balanced schedule. When the opponents were initially released, I thought that it was an overpoweringly difficult schedule, but the "difficult" opponents are spread out over the season, so the first half of the schedule is similar to the second half. (Also, note that the Bye week comes in the exact middle of the season).

But there aren't too many "gimmie" games for the Skins. The closest they come are at the Lions, against Houston, at the Rams and at Jacksonville, and those aren't too easy. Consider: The Lions -- THE LIONS! -- edged the Skins last season.

Prime time = ouch
There are three national TV games on the docket, which hasn't been good for the Redskins recently. The Redskins played three prime time games in 2009 and lost all three. Not only that, but they scored just 29 points in those three games COMBINED. They were shut out by the Cowboys, 17-0.

The Redskins are winless in their last two seasons in prime-time games. They're 1-5 for the last three years, and 1-7 in the last four years. Since 2004, the Redskins have won just 3 prime-time games. 3 out of 14 games. Ouch.

Divisional games ...
I really would like to say that I think the Skins will go far this coming season. But, going game-by-game, I just have trouble seeing anything over a .500 season. Of course, that may be because I'm marking off all divisional games as a loss.

Yes, I'm giving the Redskins an "L" for every divisional game, even against the McNabb-less Eagles. Why? Because the Skins have had trouble with divisional victories for several years now. Color me skeptical, but I'll wait until Shanahan and Co. start beating the pants off the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys until I start to be a believer.

Prime time is NOT a good time

Why do Redskins fans look forward to prime-time games? Because you can watch it on ESPN?

Remember your history! And start being afraid.

Since 2004, the Redskins are 3-8 in prime-time games (those games on Sunday or Monday nights). Here's a breakdown:

2008: 0-3
2007: 1-0
2006: 0-2
2005: 2-0
2004: 0-3

So, when the NFL's schedule was announced Tuesday, it was not with great joy that I saw the team was playing three prime-time games. And divisional games at that. Whoopee.

First off, for those that use this site as their NFL news haven, here is the Redskins' 2009 schedule:

Sept. 13 @N.Y. Giants, 4:15
Sept. 20 vs. St. Louis Rams, 1
Sept. 27 @Detroit Lions, 1
Oct. 4 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1
Oct. 11 @Carolina Panthers, 1
Oct. 18 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1
Oct. 26 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:30 (Monday night)
Nov. 8 @Atlanta Falcons, 1
Nov. 15 vs. Denver Broncos, 1
Nov. 22 @Dallas Cowboys, 1
Nov. 29 @Philadelphia Eagles, 1
Dec. 6 vs. New Orleans Saints, 1
Dec. 13 @Oakland Raiders, 4:05
Dec. 21 vs. New York Giants, 8:30 (Monday night)
Dec. 27 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 (Sunday night)
Jan. 3 @San Diego Chargers, 4:15

If the Redskins get interesting in the last half of the season, there is always flex scheduling to deal with, too. Maybe more games will go prime time. Yay?

Given the Redskins' horrendous nature in prime-time games, I suppose it's a saving grace that at least all of the games are at home. Not that FedEx Field has been great to the Redskins lately - the team was a mediocre 4-4 last season.

The rest of the games
Overall, the schedule isn't that bad.

The good news is, since the Redskins finished dead last in the NFC East, they get to play the K.C. Chiefs, the Lions and the rest of the bad teams in the NFL.

The crucial stretch is Nov. 22-Dec. 27. Out of those six games, four are against divisional rivals (@Dallas, @Philly, vs. Giants, vs. Dallas), plus you add in a tough road game against Oakland (they were terribad last year, yes, but the team is still traveling across the county), and that's a tough month of football.

If I've learned anything, it's that just because a team was bad one year does not mean that it'll be bad the next. Except maybe the Lions. And the Chiefs. And the Raiders. ... Maybe I do feel better about the Redskins schedule.

The opener against the Giants will be tough. Last year, if you'll recall, the team basically got stomped in New York in the season-opener. Well the Skins get to travel to N.Y. again this season for the season-opener. Hopefully it'll turn out better.

I think hoping for a 10-6 record with that schedule isn't crazy. I said hoping, because anything is possible.

Until next time.

schedule out tonight, and Maualuga visiting

The team brought in Southern Cal linebacker/macho man Rey Maualuga, right, for a visit. Wonderful hitter. Not sure if the team needs a linebacker this badly, though.

(I kind of wish they did, just because of how terribly awesome he is).

Also, check back tomorrow for my take on the Redskins' schedule, which will be announced tonight.

The opponents are already known:
Home: New Orleans, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Denver, Kansas City, Philly, Dallas and NY Giants;

Road: Carolina, Atlanta, Detroit, San Diego, Oakland, Philly, Dallas and the NY Giants.