NFL Power Rankings 2019, Week 4: The Redskins are a bottom 5 team

The Redskins got smoked by the Bears at home on Monday Night Football, and are now 0-3. Case Keenum went two games without a turnover, but more than made up for it with his 5 turnover performance against Chicago’s smothering defense.

The Redskins are consistently ranked as a bottom 5 team in the NFL. Until the Redskins get a win, or three, that’s not going to change. Washington visits the New York Giants this week. How good will they make Daniel Jones look?

Highest Ranking: 26

Lowest Ranking: 31

Average Ranking: 28.7

26. The Big Lead

Case Keenum is medicore and the defense, the unit that was supposed to carry the team this year, is struggling as a whole. Terry McLaurin seems like a future stud, but he alone will not bring wins to Washington. Last Week: 20

26. Scout

While not completely impossible, their chances of winning the Super Bowl is under 0.1 percent. Current Odds are 2000/1. They are projected to win 5 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 6. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #15 in the NFC. At 0-3 they are obviously short of expectations. Based on the money lines, the Redskins had an expected win percentage of 27%. Their 7-9 record last season was ahead of what was expected of them. Their expected win percentage was 40%. Week: 25

26. Bleacher Report

There haven’t been many positives for the Washington Redskins in 2019. The offense has been one-dimensional and inconsistent. The defense has been consistently bad, allowing over 30 points in all three games.

The countdown has started on Case Keenum’s time as the starting quarterback. Jay Gruden’s days as head coach may well be numbered too.

But there has been at least one bright spot.

By virtue of his six catches for 70 yards and a touchdown in Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bears, wide receiver Terry McLaurin became the first player in NFL history with at least five receptions and a touchdown in each of his first three games, per ESPN (via Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope).

McLaurin averaged 20 yards per catch and scored 11 touchdowns last year while catching balls from Dwayne Haskins at Ohio State.

With the Redskins winless and Keenum coming off a five-turnover game, it may not be long until McLaurin is catching passes from Haskins in the pros. Last Week: 27

26. Vegas Insider

Last Week: 26

27. Pro Football Focus

After starting the season with a disappointing, but encouraging loss at the Eagles, the wheels have fallen off of the Redskins. The passing game has generated EPA per play of 0.6 despite a second-worst passing grade of 49.0. Outside of breakout rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin (7th-highest receiving grade, 81.8), it’s beginning to look like a lost season in DC. Last Week: 26

27. New York Post

Last Week: 26

28. Houston Chronicle(McClain)

Washington has lost home games to Dallas and Chicago. Dwayne Haskins should start at QB so he can play against the Giants’ Daniel Jones. Last Week: 25

28. The Score

Josh Norman, CB - Seemingly past his best, Norman might be Washington’s third- or fourth-best cornerback at the moment. The veteran has allowed three touchdowns in coverage and quarterbacks are picking on him with ease. Last Week: 28

28. NumberFire

Last Week: 29

29. Washington Post

The Redskins are 0-3 while former assistants Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur and Kyle Shanahan are a combined 9-0 as head coaches elsewhere. This has gotten ugly, and Coach Jay Gruden and QB Case Keenum will be under the greatest scrutiny. A move to rookie QB Dwayne Haskins must be considered. If it’s made, it would be Haskins vs. Daniel Jones this weekend in the Meadowlands. Last Week: 25

29. The Athletic

What was the worst part of Washington’s loss to Chicago on Monday night? Was it Case Keenum’s first interception, or the second, or the third? Or was it Keenum’s fumble from when he tried to leap over the pile to pick up a first down? (Hey Case, that play call only works at the goal line.) Whichever you pick, one thing is clear: It’s time for Washington to switch quarterbacks. At this point, what do the Redskins have to lose? Last Week: 27

29. The MMQB

Warming up in the bullpen: rookie Dwayne Haskins. Last Week: 27

29. Business Insider

After another disappointing start to the season, it feels as though head coach Jay Gruden’s job might be at stake in the coming weeks in Washington. Last Week: 29

29. ESPN

What we got wrong: That their defense was going to be strong.

They entered the Monday night game 30th in yards per game allowed and tied for 30th in points allowed. The defense was supposed to be a strength, but they’ve put together a nasty combo: no pressure, a lack of creativity with the front seven plus coverage breakdowns. The line was supposed to be a strength, but losing Jonathan Allen for a game and a half hurt those plans. For the Redskins to have any chance this season, the defense needs to at least flirt with the top 10. It’s a couple of counties away from that neighborhood right now. -- John Keim Last Week: 30

29. Associated Press

Last Week: 26

29. OddsShark

Last Week: 29

30. Bleeding Green Nation

Jay Gruden’s going to be the first head coach fired this season, right? Whether he stays or goes, it’s time for Washington to yank Case Keenum for Dwayne Haskins. Last Week: 29

30. NFL.com(Hanzus)

The Dwayne Haskins Watch is on. Consider these facts as a case for turning to the first-round pick: 1) The Redskins fell to 0-3 with a lopsided Monday night home loss to the Bears. 2) Their veteran quarterback, Case Keenum, accounted for five turnovers in the defeat. 3) A large percentage of fans at FedExField were rooting for the visiting team. Yep, the Redskins badly need a shot in the arm, and Haskins represents the most logical source. Of course, there is the question of whether Haskins has shown enough to warrant such a promotion, but coach Jay Gruden has reached Hail Mary territory for both the 2019 season and his own job security. And, wouldn’t you know it, on Sunday the Redskins meet the New York Giants, who just saw their season take a turn for the relevant by promoting Daniel Jones. I know what Gruden said postgame about the need for continuity at QB, but seriously: What do you have to lose, Jay? Last Week: 29

30. Sporting News

Will Case Keenum be the next quarterback to be replaced by a young potential stud? The Bears’ defense should have expedited that move toward Dwayne Haskins. Last Week: 29

30. CBS Sports (Prisco)

Is it Dwayne Haskins time? This team looked awful losing to the Bears and at 0-3 the season is done. Last Week: 29

30. Chicago Tribune

Two decades and counting of mostly mediocre football has taken a toll. There were empty seats all over FedEx Field for the start of Monday night’s loss to the Bears. Jay Gruden‘s tenure figures to be winding to an end this season. Last Week: 30

30. Walter Football

I’d like to congratulate my picks podcast co-host Jacob Camenker (of NBC Sports Boston) for winning the prop of Jay Gruden as the first coach to be hired. It actually hasn’t occurred yet as of this writing, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Gruden is canned in the next day or so after what transpired on Monday night. Last Week: 30

30. Yahoo(Schwab)

Had the Redskins rolled over after that 28-0 start on Monday night, Jay Gruden might not have survived to Week 4. Not that a meaningless second-half rally should determine his job status, but at least it was something. The first half on Monday night was miserable. Last Week: 31

30. Detroit Free Press

Jay Gruden will be lucky to survive September. Last Week: 29

31. USA Today

Maybe they don’t like this new reality of star players forcing their way out, but what’s the point of this Trent Williams standoff now? Last Week: 29

31. NJ.com

Jay Gruden is heading toward a firing. Last Week: 31

31. PressBox

Last Week: 30