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The Redskins(2-2) didn’t play last week, but the bye week gave them a little bump in the NFL Power Rankings for Week 6. The loss to the Chiefs on Monday Night Football, dropped them a few spots last week, and now the poor play of the rest of the league helped them get into the Top 10. Most teams in the NFL have played 5 games, and we’re starting to get a clear picture of who is the real deal(Kansas City), and who is a raging dumpster fire(I still see you Giants).
The Redskins are in the 8 - 19 range this week, and the majority are in the Top 12, playoff-caliber, range. The NFC East is starting to shake out and the Eagles sit at the top of the division with a 4-1 record after beating up the lowly Arizona Cardinals. The Cowboys(2-3)had their hearts ripped out again by Aaron Rodgers in a way that everyone can get enjoyment from. And then there’s the Giants, who lost their 5th game of the season, their 6th game since partying it up on a boat after Week 17 last year, and 3 WRs for the season last week. Sad!
The Redskins host Kyle Shanahan and his winless 49ers this week in a game they are favored by 11 points to win. Should win home game against a former coach. Hmm...
Redskins Week 6 Ranking Average: 10
Is their ranking too high or too low this week?
Bye week and then the 49ers coming to town is a nice breather before a make-or-break stretch the next four weeks that will show us if this is a team capable of getting back to the playoffs. Last Week: 7
They come off their bye with a home game against the 49ers. They need to keep winning to keep pace with the Eagles. Last Week: 11
Another team that was off last week -- and like the Falcons, coming off a loss. Usually going on bye (Do teams "go" on bye? Endure a bye?) after a loss kinda blows, but in the Redskins' case ... Dude, they so needed a week off. Washington lost, oh, about 58 defensive players at one point or another in the Monday night loss to the Chiefs. And with that aerodynamic 49ers pass offense coming to town, they need ... Well, maybe not. Last Week: 7
The Redskins overall had an enjoyable bye week: Injured players took extra time to heal up and two out of the three rivals in their division took Ls. They advance into the top 10 because none of the three franchises ahead of them or two franchises behind them came out on top in their matchups. Last Week: 11
The bye week couldn't have come at a better time for the Redskins, as they suffered a number of injuries in Week 4. It's still going to be a few weeks before star corner Josh Norman can return, but the week off should help the team as a whole.
This is a strong football team too. The Washington defense can challenge opponents, and the offense can be special. I know the Redskins are just 2-2, but I'd caution the rest of the NFC to look out for Washington moving forward. Last Week: 9
Last Week: 15
11. USA Today
Kirk Cousins will be thrilled to see his favorite target Sunday -- Pierre Garcon. NVM. No current Redskin WR/TE on pace for an 800-yard season. Last Week: 9
The schedule gets somewhat difficult after the bye week. After the 49ers, the Redskins face the Eagles, Cowboys and Seahawks consecutively. Last Week: 12
11. Yahoo Sports
If you would have asked before the season to name the most indispensable players on this team, Kirk Cousins would have been first, and Josh Norman might have been second simply because the Redskins don’t have much proven depth at cornerback. Washington has been good on defense but that could change if the cornerbacks don’t hold up while Norman is out with a rib injury. Last Week: 14
13. Chicago Tribune
Week off to heal up came at the right time and the most impressive thing through the first month was a solid job by Greg Manuksy’s defense. Last Week: 13
13. ESPN
Playoff Chance: 27.0%. Washington's two losses this season have come against teams that are a combined 9-1, so its .500 record shouldn't look that bad. The Redskins have the second-easiest remaining schedule, so their record (and playoff chances) could improve. Last Week: 14
14. Sporting News
Kirk Cousins probably didn't sleep like a baby during the bye, given he needed it to get used to life as a first-time father. Papa should be proud he's playing well again, just in time to challenge for a more-wide open NFC East. Last Week: 17
17. Washington Post
The Redskins return from their bye week feeling relatively good, and rightfully so, about how they’ve played. They appear to be the main challenger to the Eagles in the NFC East. Who would have predicted that two-team race? The Redskins have the winless Niners coming to FedEx Field this weekend but cannot afford to be complacent, particularly with CB Josh Norman out of the lineup. His absence will be felt. Last Week: 16
19. OddsShark
Last Week: 20