The Washington Redskins have already taken on a new identity under new head coach Mike Shanahan, starting with the treatment of former All-Pro DT Albert Haynesworth. Shanahan is a no-nonsense leader who was able to churn out a couple Super Bowl titles with an older John Elway that played three more seasons than new QB Donovan McNabb has under his belt heading into this year before winning his first championship. McNabb gives the Redskins their best quarterback since they won their last Super Bowl with Mark Rypien under center 19 years ago. But Shanahan’s biggest challenge will be trying to provide McNabb with enough weapons to give him a real chance to win in the toughest division in all of football.
Odds to win NFC East Division: +500
Odds to win the NFC Conference: 13/1
Washington Redskins Odds to win Super Bowl XLV: 25/1
Regular Season Wins Total Line: 7.5
*all odds quoted from Bodog*
Here’s what this year’s schedule looks like for the Redskins:
Week 1 Sunday, September 12, 2010 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Analysis: McNabb will try to erase the memories of last season against the Cowboys in which his Eagles team fell to them three times, including a humiliating playoff loss that turned out to be his final game in a Philly uniform.
Week 2 Sunday, September 19, 2010 vs. Houston Texans
Analysis: The Redskins play their second straight game against a team from Texas to start the season while Houston will be coming off a tough opener against AFC South rival Indianapolis.
Week 3 Sunday, September 26, 2010 @ St. Louis Rams
Analysis: Washington visits St. Louis before playing three straight against playoff teams from last year.
Week 4 Sunday, October 3, 2010 @ Philadelphia Eagles
Analysis: McNabb visits Philly for the first time as a Redskin.
Week 5 Sunday, October 10, 2010 vs. Green Bay Packers
Analysis: Washington plays three of the next four games at home before the bye and three of four against teams from the NFC North, starting with Green Bay.
Week 6 Sunday, October 17, 2010 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Analysis: The Colts visit the Redskins to complete a stretch of three road games in four weeks before their bye.
Week 7 Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ Chicago Bears
Analysis: McNabb won in his hometown 24-20 last season with the Eagles, throwing for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 8 Sunday, October 31, 2010 vs. Detroit Lions
Analysis: Washington hosts the Lions before the bye week while Detroit plays the first game after its break.
Week 9 — BYE WEEK —
Week 10 Monday, November 15, 2010 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Analysis: Philadelphia topped Washington in both meetings last season, scoring 27 points each time.
Week 11 Sunday, November 21, 2010 @ Tennessee Titans
Analysis: Tennessee hosts the Redskins in between road games at Miami and Houston.
Week 12 Sunday, November 28, 2010 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Analysis: The Vikings could have pursued McNabb in the offseason but opted to wait for Brett Favre, who will be coming off a game against the Packers.
Week 13 Sunday, December 5, 2010 @ New York Giants
Analysis: Washington plays three of the next four games away from home, starting with its very first visit to New Meadowlands Stadium.
Week 14 Sunday, December 12, 2010 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Analysis: The Bucs visit Maryland for the second time in three weeks after playing Baltimore and Atlanta in their previous two games.
Week 15 Sunday, December 19, 2010 @ Dallas Cowboys
Analysis: The Redskins scored only six points total in two meetings with the Cowboys last season.
Week 16 Sunday, December 26, 2010 @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Analysis: The Jaguars host the Redskins in the middle of road games against AFC South rivals Indianapolis and Houston.
Week 17 Sunday, January 2, 2011 vs. New York Giants
Analysis: The Giants will be playing their second straight road game to end the season after visiting Green Bay the previous week.
