Can the Washington Redskins stay in the NFC East race?

Washington, DC. One of the bigger surprises two weeks into the NFL season has to be the transformation that the Washington Redskins have seemed to go through. Gone are the second string QB’s who masqueraded as starters in Washington for so many years, as the second overall pick from Baylor is now putting on quite a show. Robert Griffin III has been sensational so far, as he already has the look of a guy who gets it, and will continue to just get better. The Redskins offense looks completely different in 2012, and dare I say it, it looks explosive. Griffin is doing to Washington what Cam Newton did to Carolina last year. He is making them relevant, and a nice surprise midway through September in our nation’s capital. After losing a tough road game to the Rams on Sunday, the Skins are 1-1 and tied with New York and Dallas in second place. Before the season, Washington was generally chosen by most experts to finish last once again in the NFC East. The selection of Griffin in the draft would pay off down the road, most people thought, but the Redskins would struggle again to win games this season. Is this the way it will play out? Hard to say, as it is still too early to tell. But one thing is for sure. Even if Washington doesn’t contend or win the NFC East, they are definitely gonna be a dangerous team to face all year long.
 

 
The preseason prognostications by writers, experts, and fans alike all seemed to be split to a certain degree. Who would win the NFC East in 2012? The defending champion Giants were a popular choice of course. The Cowboys were a trendy pick, as some felt they would finally realize their potential and get it done. The Eagles were picked by some as well because of the immense amount of overall talent they have on their roster. But the one team that was consistently written in to finish at or near the bottom was the Redskins. After several seasons of ineptitude, they seemed to show that they have had many holes the last few years. Even the mastermind, Mike Shanahan, hasn’t had the magic potion to pull this team out of the NFC East basement since he signed on. So choosing Washington to struggle again in 2012 seemed like a safe pick. But just two weeks into this year, this team looks different than it has in seasons past. They look….competent, and dangerous. Robert Griffin III has brought a new energy to this franchise, and it is already paying off on the field. In week one, Griffin made a few huge plays in the 4th quarter to secure a Redskins win at New Orleans. In week two, he again showed amazing athleticism, only to watch his defense falter in the 4th quarter in a loss to the Rams. At 1-1, Redskins fans now have something that they really haven’t had in several years….hope. Where will this team go from here as they head down the path that is the 2012 regular season? Who knows. But Washington, behind Griffin, will surprise a few more opponents along the way. They are suddenly a squad that nobody will be excited to face, and they have the look of a team who will give fits to Dallas, Philly, and New York well into December.

Can the Redskins stay in this divisional race deep into the season? They still have some holes, and the overall talent doesn’t appear to be on the same level as their NFC East counterparts. But they do have some momentum now, and they also have this guy at QB named RG3. It is still unlikely that they shock everyone and actually finish atop the East, but knocking off their divisional foes a few times along the way shouldn’t surprise anyone now. Regardless of what the Washington Redskins do this year, they finally seem to be heading in the right direction for many years to come.

Denver Sports by J Simp