1. Will they ever score touchdowns? This is about more than the first two games. It’s about a trend over the last 10, dating to 2008. In that time, the offense has managed to score more than one touchdown just twice, in a win at Seattle and a loss at San Francisco. Say what you want about the playcalling — and it deserves criticism — but this offense lacks something else: playmakers.
2. How much will they miss Randy Thomas? A lot. This is not the same as two years ago when Thomas and Jon Jansen both missed most of the season and they still made the postseason. Different offense; different playcallers. Also, Thomas could bail out Stephon Heyer because of his strong punch vs. defensive linemen. So when teams would use stunts or twists, it would get them enough off-track. Will that still be the case with Chad Rinehart at guard? That’s hard to imagine. The Redskins will have to now be wary of teams that stunt well (Detroit is not one of them). In the past, one guy could negate that tactic on the right side; now Rinehart and Heyer must be able to work together to beat it.
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3. Could they possibly lose to the Lions? Of course. Listen, the Lions will win a game at some point; they’ve lost 19 straight dating to last season. So, yes, it’s possible. And there’s no doubt this is their most winnable game among their first six (next three: at Chicago, Pittsburgh, at Green Bay). The Lions want to play a physical game so they match up OK with Washington. But their defense lacks legitimate players and they have a rookie quarterback. The Redskins still will be favored. But imagine the uproar — in the organization, that is — if the Redskins somehow lost.
