NFC EAST - WASHINGTON REDSKINS

2006 PREVIEW

These is no question that the Redskins have one of the best defenses in football, but the offense holds us back from picking them ahead of Dallas in the division. We do feel however that Washington will win enough games to earn a second consecutive wild card berth.

The biggest concern on offense is Mark Brunell at quarterback. Yes he put up good numbers last season with 23 touchdown passes against just 10 interceptions after replacing Patrick Ramsey in Week 2. He is not getting any younger however, and his loss of mobility is a liability in a division full of good defensive lines. He does have some nice receiving targets in Santana Moss and the newly signed Antwaan Randle El, but the key will be having enough time to find these guys. The running game is not a concern with Clinton Portis carrying most of the load, and Ladell Betts is one of the best backup backs in the league. The Skins have the ability to use the running game to control the clock, which takes some of the burden off of Brunell.

Defensively this team ranked 9 th in the NFL in total yards allowed last year, and it is still a formidable unit even with the loss of LaVar Arrington to the Giants. Washington did not have a first round draft pick this year, but they did use their first pick in the second round to address the linebacking hole vacated by Arrington by tabbing Rocky McIntosh of the Miami Hurricanes. McIntosh has great speed for his position and he could end up being an immediate starter.

2006 Prediction: 2 nd Place NFC East, Wild Card