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Redskins-Browns Predictions
By Jamie Mottram | December 15, 2012
Hey, let’s play Predictions! Last week’s winner is Phil Reed, who nailed his Ravens game pick and has a doozy of a guest post coming. A reminder on how it works, for the uninitiated:
Our Redskins-loving “staff” makes predictions in the post, readers make predictions in the comments, and the commenter who comes closest to predicting the final score gets to make a guest post. Hip-hip!
UPDATE: Kirk Cousins is starting, per the Redskins.
On the surface, the only thing about the Browns that should scare us is Trent Richardson. Then you find out he’s rushing for just 3.5 yards per carry (40th in the NFL) and realize there’s really nothing about the Browns offense that should worry the Skins. Even with their shoddy defense. Brandon Weeden has more picks than TDs and averages 6.5 yards per attempt. They rank 28th out of 32 in offensive efficiency. And while their defense isn’t quite as inept, it’s not great either, ranking 17th in efficiency. Regardless of who starts at QB for the Skins, I have a hard time believing Washington won’t put up more points than Cleveland.
With RGIII — Redskins, 27-16
Without RGIII — Redskins, 20-16
With RGIII — Redskins, 14-12. The Browns defense makes it their mission to knock Griffin out of the game. Trent Richardson rushes for 148 yards in the first half and for minus-6 in the second half, and the Redskins defense continues to bend but not break. I spend the entire game curled in the fetal position and hyperventilate every time Griffin leaves the pocket. Amidst all the drama, the Redskins win an ugly one.
Without RGIII — Browns, 19-14. Trent Richardson rushes for 148 yards in the first half, and for minus-6 in the second half, and the Redskins defense continues to bend but not break. Cousins acquits himself well in general but proves that Griffin’s underrated gift this year has been his ability to avoid costly turnovers; a Cousins pick-6 is the difference.
With RGIII — He’s not going to play.
Without RGIII — I think the Skins rally around Cousins. He is still pretty good, and the defense shows up against the Browns. Trent Richardson never really gets going for Cleveland, and the offense does enough to win. Redskins, 20-14.
Andy Peden:
RGIII starts and finishes the game. He leaves the pocket only 4 times all game. He throws 4 TDs and the legend grows out of control. This isn’t quite to the point that would maximum the total crushing of DC fans (not quite 2 outs and 2 strikes yet). That will come in week 17 when with a playoff berth insights, Skins lose to Dallas. This week, Skins, 31-23.
With RGIII — Skins play it close to the vest, trying to limit Bob’s exposure, and struggle to run against an underrated Browns defense. But as much as Cleveland may be stronger than they appear, that strength, at least on offense, is not in the passing game. Good matchup for the Skins D. Now there’s something I’ve never said this season. Skins 17-16
Without RGIII — Going the other way here, but I think Cousins may actually give them a little more freedom in the playcalling area, albeit a different set of plays/packages, and the team really steps up around him. Skins 27-24
With RGIII — Redskins win a close one 20-17 (HAIL KAI). RGIII will limp around between plays, but once the ball is snapped he’ll look fine. The defense will contain Trent Richardson (which isn’t nearly as tough to do as some people seem to think), and they’ll keep a lid on the deep passing plays for the most part.
Without RGIII — He’s playing. 20-17.
Me:
With RGIII — Redskins, 27-20
Without RGIII — Redskins, 21-20
Composite prediction: With RGIII, 26-17. Without RGIII, 21-18.
(Cleveland RGIII image taken with love from Redskins Hogs Heaven.)
Topics: Predictions, Redskins | 26 Comments »
December 15th, 2012 at 4:54 PM
24-17 Skins. DHall picks Weeden twice, taking one to the house. Morris scores 2 and rushes for 120+.
December 15th, 2012 at 4:59 PM
With RG3 – Punch Shanny right in the neck.
Without RG3 – Skins 23 – Browns 20
December 15th, 2012 at 5:06 PM
Either way:
‘Skins 19
Browns 13
December 15th, 2012 at 5:22 PM
With rgiii 30-20 skins
Without rgiii 21-20 skins
December 15th, 2012 at 6:06 PM
Cousins starts game and skins go down 17-7 into the half. RGIII starts the second to bring the skins back to win 27-23. Also the giants and bears lose and I buy my Dallas tickets.
December 15th, 2012 at 8:52 PM
with RGIII- Skins 24 Browns 17
without RGIII- Skins 20 Browns 24 (pick 6 from Cousins)
December 15th, 2012 at 9:26 PM
rg3 plays, 24 – 22 skins win
December 15th, 2012 at 10:01 PM
I think we’ll see the same gameplan we saw against the saints, i think the defense has been coming together in the last few games.
skins 24 : brownies 10
December 15th, 2012 at 10:17 PM
20-19 Redskins. Cobra-Kai wins it with a 52 yarder as time expires.
December 15th, 2012 at 10:18 PM
god i hope it doesn’t come to that.. not sure if my heart could take that.
December 15th, 2012 at 11:11 PM
Cousins gets hurt, Rex leads team to 6-3 win.
December 15th, 2012 at 11:31 PM
Theoretical cesspool of political waste and decay: 24
Actual cesspool of actual waste and decay: 13
And really, I’m glad were playing Cleveland just because it gives me a legitimate reason to watch this over and over:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM
December 16th, 2012 at 12:52 AM
Cousins plays…like…really well. 250+ yards passing with 2 TDs. Skins D gives up a late score to make it look closer than it was. Skins 31, Browns 23.
December 16th, 2012 at 2:55 AM
28-24 Redskins
December 16th, 2012 at 5:01 AM
31-21 Skins
Cousins is more than efficient. 3tds, 1 pick.
Unlikely big plays from unlikely guys.
Defense comes up with a couple of big turnovers.
December 16th, 2012 at 8:04 AM
Cleveland 20
Washington 17
D’oh
December 16th, 2012 at 8:20 AM
Cousins throws 4 TD’s and no picks and Morris has 120+ yards rushing and a TD. Skins 38-6.
December 16th, 2012 at 9:06 AM
My buddy saw Kai Forbath in Town Hall Friday night and, like a total fucking idiot, walks up to him and goes “dude you’re 14 for 14 this year, can’t miss!”
Kai misses three field goals, including the game winner as time expires.
Browns 16 Redskins 14.
December 16th, 2012 at 9:34 AM
Cousins looks good: 17 for 22, 220y, 1TD.
‘91 Mazda looks better: 156y, 2TD
Crawford takes it to the house.
Skins: 34
Browns: 17.
December 16th, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Skins 24
Browns 14
In Alfred we trust.
December 16th, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Skins 28
Browns 24
December 16th, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Skins 38
Browns 6
December 16th, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Skins 19-Browns 15.
December 16th, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Skins- 16
Browns- 10
UGLY game. We win, but Cousin Kirk doesn’t look that good and our dreams of flipping him for a 1 or 2 begin to fade away.
December 16th, 2012 at 10:54 PM
Pete + Nomad pretty much nail it (except coming up short a skins td). I think they get to co-write a post.
December 21st, 2012 at 11:45 AM
[...] let’s play Predictions! Last week’s winner is Nomad, who nailed his Browns game pick and should have a guest post coming. A reminder on how it works, [...]