Predicting 16

The 'Skins season kicks off this Sunday with a fierce rival from the NFC East, the New York Giants. But before this game initiates the beginning of a long, grueling season, I've gotta take a stab at the 'Skins schedule.

Week One: @ Giants (0-0)
The Giants are one of the best teams in the NFL, and games in the NFC are especially competitive, so the edge has to go to the home team. Giants in a close one, 20-17.

Week Two: VS Rams (0-1)
The 'Skins will be looking to bounce back after this week, and with first year head coach Steve Spagnuolo, who was the Giants defensive coordinator the past two years, the defense should be ready for what the 'Skins have to offer, but the defense is going to take this one over. 'Skins win 24-6.

Week Three: @ Lions (1-1)
With a chance to go above a .500 record in week three while playing the worst team from last year should be an easy win for the 'Skins, but they better not take this game lightly. They found themselves in the loss column with a similar game against the Rams last year, and they came to regret it at the end of the season. This team will remember that game, however, and blowout a young Lions team, 27-10.

Week Four: VS Buccaneers (2-1)
The 'Skins come home week four to play their third rookie head coach in a row. The Buccaneers are in a rebuilding season, and with a roster filled with youngsters, the Redskins should overmatch them greatly. Veterans like Ronde Barber, however, will prevent the 'Skins passing attack from taking off, and the game will be a little closer. 20-13.

Week Five: @ Panthers (3-1)
This game should be the biggest challenge the 'Skins have had since the season opener against the Giants. The Panthers have a fierce running attack and always put a solid defense on the field. The 'Skins lose in a close one, 21-17.

Week Six: VS Chiefs (3-2)
Wanting to stay above .500 and frustrated about the close loss to the Panthers, the 'Skins will dominate a young Chiefs team. Matt Cassel will throw a lot to stay in this one, and will get picked off a few times, but with a porous defense, the Chiefs won't be able to keep up. 'Skins win easily, 34-17.

Week Seven: VS Eagles (4-2)
Mike Vick makes his first appearance at FedEx Field and causes a stir. The focus will be on him coming to town and not on the team, and they will thrive. This will still be a battle in the East, but the Eagles will still be getting used to using Vick, so the 'Skins steal one, 24-21.

Week Eight: BYE WEEK (5-2 and feeling good)

Week Nine: @ Falcons (5-2)
Coming off the bye week, the 'Skins are fully rested, ready to play some football again, but are shocked by Matt Ryan and the fantastic Falcons. 'Skins lose, 24-10.

Week Ten: VS Broncos (5-3)
Once again on edge after a loss, the 'Skins come back ready to face the team that almost had a hand in sending Jason Campbell out of town. Campbell has a big day, throwing three TD's. 'Skins win handily, 31-13.

Week Eleven: @ Cowboys (6-3)
It's finally the biggest rivalry of the season, and the 'Skins first trip to Jerry Jones' Palace. It's a close one between these two rivals, and after a delay where Shawn Suisham breaks the Jerry's big screen TV over the stadium, the 'Skins blow it in the fourth quarter as Marion Barber runs all over them, 24-13.

Week Twelve: @ Eagles (6-4)
The Eagles have figured out their offense, and the defense has hit their midseason stride. This is a close game, but it doesn't show on the scoreboard. Eagles win, 27-14.

Week Thirteen: VS Saints (6-5)
Hitting their first two game skid of the season, the 'Skins look to bounce back at home verse their old defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams. The Redskins current coordinator, Greg Blatche, worked for several years with Williams, and the 'Skins offense practices against pretty much the same defensive scheme every day, they will take this one, but not without Saints quarterback Drew Brees putting a few nice scoring drives together. Redskins, 31-21.

Week Fourteen: @ Raiders (7-5)
The Raiders recently traded a first round pick in 2011 for a 29 year old defensive end who has only played 16 games two times in his eight year NFL career. Do I need to say more to how much disarray this organization is in? 'Skins crush, 35-9.

Week Fifteen: VS Giants (8-5)
Entering their toughest home stretch of the season, the 'Skins beat a banged up Giants team, but it's an ugly one. 14-10.

Week Sixteen: VS Cowboys (9-5)
The rivalry comes home and with the playoffs on the line for the both teams, the home team prevails in another slugfest. Redskins win, 17-16.

Week Seventeen: @ Chargers (10-5)
It comes down to the last game of the season, but the Chargers have already clinched their division and their hearts aren't in the game as much as the 'Skins are. The 'Skins win this one from the beginning, 21-17.

The 'Skins finish 11-5 with a wildcard spot in the NFC. It's going to be tough, and a lot of this depends on the team staying healthy, but I think it should shake out like this. What does everyone else think?