Fearless Forecast: Redskins to Finish 6-10

TRY AS I MIGHT, it's hard for me to be overly optimistic days before the NFL opener between the Giants and Redskins.

Jim Zorn’s offense is going to be the Redskins' biggest liability this season.

Forget the preseason decline — though it was noticeably steep — or Derrick Frost’s spot-on criticism that, clearly, management has more sway than the coaching staff on the opening day roster.

Almost every time a new system is put in place, a team's offense struggles. Given this is a first-time head coach who never served as an offensive coordinator, a slow start should be expected.

The trouble is that if Washington digs itself a hole early, the schedule doesn't seem to offer much of a reprieve.

The Redskins face all three of their division rivals on the road within the first five weeks.

Let's say the powerhouse Cowboys split with the Redskins for rivalry purposes. The improved Eagles could be in a position for a sweep Dec. 21 if they are in playoff contention, as I expect. We'll give Washington a split with New York.

Outside the NFC East, home games against Pittsburgh and Cleveland, and a road contest in Seattle seem daunting.

Sure, wins should come against the Rams (Oct. 12), Bengals (Dec. 14) and 49ers (Dec. 28). With the Cardinals (Sept. 21) and Ravens (Dec. 7), there should be another victory.

That's it. It looks like a 6-10 season with hopes of drafting a stellar offensive lineman next April.

Photo by John McDonnell/TWP