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Who would’ve thought at the start of this season that the Washington Redskins‘ Super Bowl hopes would be alive and well at this time of the year? Yet, here we are. Head coach Jay Gruden deserves a lot of praise for guiding Washington to the NFC East title, and his team is still dancing as a result.
The Redskins face a tough matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers this weekend, but they have a chance to win the whole thing if Kirk Cousins can continue playing at a high level. Here is why Washington could take home the Lombardi trophy in 2016.
5. QB Kirk Cousins
Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports5. QB Kirk Cousins
You like that? Fans in Washington certainly do. Cousins has trademarked that expression after it exploded on social media following a comeback win against Tampa Bay, and the quarterback is key to the Redskins' dreams of winning the Super Bowl. He led the NFL in completion percentage (69.8) this season, and he has made the memory of Robert Griffin III a thing of the past. Whether or not Cousins can hang with a quarterback like Rodgers in the playoffs remains to be seen.
4. WR DeSean Jackson
Credit: Getty Images4. WR DeSean Jackson
Some folks don't like the way that DeSean Jackson celebrates after touchdowns, but the fact is that if he keeps finding the end zone, then his teammates won't really care what he does afterwards. Jackson didn't lead the Redskins in receiving yards, but he bended defenses so much with his speed to the point that cracks opened up for other players. He will be a crucial weapon in the playoffs, especially if the weather stays nice in Washington this weekend.
3. Head coach Jay Gruden
Credit: Getty Images3. Head coach Jay Gruden
When Gruden took over the Redskins, it was assumed that he would have to try and make things work with Robert Griffin III at quarterback. Little did we know that Jon Gruden's brother would eventually turn to Cousins in order to achieve success. A lot of people doubted Jay during his first season, but it appears like he will be the head coach in Washington for a long time after the wins they've piled up this year.
2. TE Jordan Reed
Credit: Getty Images2. TE Jordan Reed
Would anyone have predicted that a tight end would lead Washington in receiving yards? He recorded 87 catches this season for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he became the first Redskins tight end to lead the franchise in receiving since 1977. Reed will need to step up against Green Bay's secondary this weekend in order for Washington to make a Super Bowl run. Rodgers isn't going to roll over; the Redskins will have to outscore him.
1. Pass Rushing
Credit: Getty Images1. Pass Rushing
Washington features a front line that includes Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith. The former led the Redskins in sacks with 9.5, and the latter is a rookie who has proved his worth with an eight-sack campaign that led all rookies. Five of those came in the last three games of the season, and Smith is clearly peaking at the right point of the year. Kerrigan is the head of the snake when it comes to pass rushing for Washington.
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