Entering showdown against Saints, it’s déjà vu for Redskins

Last year entering their fourth game, the Washington Redskins sported a record of 2-1 and had fans talking about a ‘new’ team. The Redskins had just manhandled the Oakland Raiders on national television and had their sights set on the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.

The Redskins would travel to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City which is one of the NFL’s toughest venues to play as a visiting team. That game was televised nationally on ESPN’s Monday Night football.

The Burgundy and Gold almost shocked the world by beating the Chiefs, but their efforts came up short in a 29-20 loss. Despite the loss, Washington showed the country that they had assimilated a new group of talent that could be reckoned with. Injuries slowed things down for the Redskins, however, and altered the rest of their season.

This year the script is almost identical to last year.

The Redskins enter the fourth game of their season with a record of 2-1. They are coming off of a dominating performance against a Super Bowl hopeful in the Green Bay Packers and now travel to one of the more hostile environments in the NFL, in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

Redskins make a roster move at RB

Washington like last year will play their fourth game against a Super Bowl contender in the New Orleans Saints and again on national television (ESPN).

The Redskins have a chance to show the football world that they are a serious NFC East contender to challenge the Super Bowl Champion, Philadelphia Eagles. They also have a chance to make a significant dent in NFC playoff ramifications later in the season with a win over the Saints.

To do so, the Redskins will have to lean on their defense which has been steady through the first four games of the season. Entering Week 5, the Redskins defense ranks at No. 2 in points per game (14.7 avg.). They also rank at No. 3 in total yards per game (278.0 avg.) and passing yards per game (187.3 avg.). Defensive Coordinator, Gre Manusky’s unit has not allowed a 300-yard passer this season so something will have to give because the Saints offense led by Pro Bowl quarterback and future Hall of Famer, Drew Brees, ranks among the NFL’s top five in yards per game (418.3 avg.) and points per game (34.3 avg.).

Both teams played in a thrilling overtime game last season the Saints won in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 34-31.