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On paper, the Redskins’ 2009 schedule looks a lot like their record last season: average. The ‘Skins get three primetime games in 2009, all at home: Week 7 and Week 15 against the Eagles and Giants on Monday Night Football, and Week 16 against Dallas on Sunday Night Football (after playing Philadelphia in Week 15).
Washington also gets last season’s 0-16 Lions in Week 3. The "random" matchup will be Week 17 against San Diego.
ESPN made note last night of the ‘Skins season opener against the Giants, and the two token matchups with Dallas and Philadelphia. Washington’s bye is Week 8.
As ESPN talking heads emphasized during last night’s broadcast, it’s nearly impossible to predict how tough a team’s schedule is before anyone takes the field (not that it stops any of us from trying). Still, Washington failed to make ESPN’s top five toughest 2009 NFL schedules based on 2008 opponents' records (that honor goes to the Dolphins). Division rivals aside, most of the Redskins' 2009 opponents are even harder to predict, thanks to key personnel changes since 2008—the 'Skins will face a new head coach in St. Louis and Kansas City, as well as new head coaches and to-be-determined quarterbacks in Denver, Tampa Bay, and Detroit. In addition, three of these teams have the top 3 picks in the draft this year, so the extreme makeover has just begun.
The ‘Skins defense will also be tested by a slew of talented running backs, including LaDainian Tomlinson, Mike Turner, and Reggie Bush. They’ll also face 2008 breakout stars Matt Cassel and Matt Ryan. The highest rated 2008 defense on the schedule for Jason C. and company is the Eagles, ranked third.
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what do you mean by San Diego being a 'random' matchup?
Yeah, its not random. The NFC East is playing the AFC West this year, that's deliberate.
The only games that could be considered "random" would be the Lions and the Rams since they're not in the Redskins' division or one the two other divisions they're playing this year.
Anyway, the Raven's sched is looking promising!
Even the Lions and Rams games are calculated, since all three missed the playoffs last season. Strength of schedule match-ups.
There are no random matchups in the NFL.
6 games against divisional opponents.
4 games against an entire division within your conference (rotated).
4 games against an entire division outside conference (rotated).
2 games against the two teams within your conference that finished with the same standing at yourself, from the two divisons your team is not playing in any given year.
= 16 games
After the last game of the year, the teams you are playing next year is set in stone.
Ah, I didn't know about the last two. Good to know.
I'm not sure how they figured it out before there were 8 4 team divisons, and I'm not sure how they'll figure it out if they change to 17 or 18 game seasons, but that's the current formula. As of now, strength of schedule isn't used to tabulate opponents.
When there were 3 divisions per conference:
8 games within the division
4 games from a division in the opposite conference
4 games within the conference based on your seeding from prior year's finish
Well we don't want to bank on any wins in those last three games.
But otherwise, not a bad schedule. Not a ton of really tough out-of-division games. I'm making no predictions, but on paper it doesn't look too bad.
I guess you could say its random in that they have to go all the way out to SD on the last game of the season, kinda like last year's SF matchup.
San Diego on January 3rd? Sign me up
Dammit! Why is there a PJ Harvey ad saying a show is coming up, and no information on the actual date for it? And no info on her website? Damn you, LiveNation!
Sorry this has nothing to do with football - go Skins.
Nevermind - just saw the Friday, June 5th. I'm an idiot, but I'm an idiot who is a huge PJ fan.
While I'm at it, go Bucs!
Counting down until the Giants kick the crap out of the 'skins to open up the season! Again!
Let's Go Big Blue!!