What Can I See

There has been a buzz on the internet today because the NFL schedules were going to be announced. I don't see what the big deal is. Every team knew exactly who and where they were going to play. Sure, you didn't know when you were playing each team, but does that really matter? Players and coaches will always tell you that they focus on one game at a time. I guess this really is for the fans and being the fan that I am (contrary to what some believe), I'll play along. 

What I'm most concerned about, as a fan of an east coast team who lives on the west coast, is how many times I get to watch my Redskins. I don't have DirecTV anymore so the Sunday Ticket isn't even an option. I hate going to bars to watch games because they're usually filled with a bunch of drunk idiots. Plus, I'm more likely to drink if I'm at a bar and those who know me know that I really shouldn't drink while watching one of my teams, but that's a whole other story. Let's take a quick look at the Redskins 2012 schedule.

Sept 9 @ New Orleans

Sept 16 @ St. Louis

Sept 23 Cincinnati

Sept 30 @ Tampa Bay

Oct 7 Atlanta

Oct 14 Minnesota

Oct 21 @ NY Giants

Oct 28 @ Pittsburgh

Nov 4 Carolina

Nov 11 Bye

Nov 18 Philadelphia

Nov 22 @ Dallas

Dec 3 NY Giants

Dec 9 Baltimore

Dec 16 @ Cleveland

Dec 23 @ Philadelphia

Dec 30 Dallas

At first glance, I know I'll get to watch two games in my own home. The Redskins play Thanksgiving Day against Dallas and their following game against the Giants on Monday night. Those are nationally televised games, but what about the other 14 games. There are three weeks when the Skins have a late game; Weeks 2, 4 and 6. Week 2 is a 4:05 ET start. Unfortunately both San Diego and San Fancisco play at 4:15 ET that week which means I'll end up with one of those games. Week 4 is 4:15 ET start against Tampa Bay(4:15 games are more likely to be national games). There is one other game at 4:15 that week and that's Saints vs Packers. I'm probably going to get the Saints/Packers game because it's a more high profile game. Week 6 is also a 4:15 start, this time against Minnesota. The 49ers have a 4:15 start that week as well, so that's the game I'll probably get.

The early games are usually regional so unless the Redskins are playing a team from the west, it's doubtful the game would be shown here. There is always a chance that, depending on the TV schedule, that I could get a high profile matchup involving the Skins. Their first game is against New Orleans and there's a shot I could get that game. There is also a chance of a divisional game being shown out here because of a QB matchup. The NFL may want everyone to see Vick/RGIII or Eli/RGIII. The game against Carolina might get shown because it would feature the last two Heisman Trophy winners. The Pittsburgh and Baltimore games are a crapshoot and I can't imagine getting any of the St Louis/Cincinnati/Atlanta/Cleveland games. At best I think I'll get 6 games on broadcast TV and worst case, I get 3. I may have to break down and go to a bar.

Now I'll focus on what everyone else will slowly be focusing on and that's how well will the Redskins do. I know we haven't even had the draft or training camp yet, but I know I'm not the only one who is making predictions at this point. We know that this is the NFL and everyone has a shot at winning every week, but there are games that should win and games you should lose. I'll make a prediction now with no analysis and will make another one as we get closer to the start of the season with my two cents thrown in. At quick glance, I think the Redskins could/should beat the Saints, St Louis, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Carolina, Philadelphia, NY Giants, Cleveland and Dallas and could/probably lose to Tampa Bay, Atlanta, NY Giants, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Baltimore and Philadelphia. That would leave them at 9-7. With that being said, my early prediction is officially a 6-10 season.

We'll do this again sometime after the draft and before the season starts. Feel free to tell me how wrong I am.