Patriots-Redskins Week 5 Predictions
Aug 9, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; Washington Redskins defensive back Josh Norman (24) and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) meet at midfield after the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
After gutting out a 16-10 win over the Bills in Week 4, the New England Patriots will make their way down to Fedex Field for a Week 5 head-to-head with Jay Gruden’s Washington Redskins.
The Redskins enter this contest on the heels of a 24-3 loss to Daniel Jones and the Giants in Week 4, and are still in search of their first win of the season. The Redskins have already run through quarterbacks, too, bouncing between Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins in last week’s loss, and Gruden will give this start to veteran backup Colt McCoy. (It’s basically been the nightmare you would assume.)
New England, meanwhile, will look to get their offensive game back on track after scoring just 16 points in that aforementioned win over the Bills, on both the ground and through the air.
Here’s how the 98.5 The Sports Hub staff sees this game going…
Ty Anderson (Writer/columnist, 985TheSportsHub.com)
This sounds insane, I know, but I’m serious: Colt McCoy might be the best quarterback the Patriots have faced this season. But it doesn’t matter. None of this matters. Not when you have a defense that’s been this straight-up dominant out of the gate. Dan Snyder would be the worst owner in sports if Eugene Melnyk wasn’t actually robbing Ottawa fans of a happy life.
Patriots 34, Redskins 13.
Matt Dolloff (Digital producer, 985TheSportsHub.com)
The Patriots offense should have no problem bouncing back after facing perhaps the best defense in football in Buffalo. The Redskins, meanwhile, have allowed the fifth-highest opposing passer rating (112.5) in the league through four games, and the second-most points (29.5). They may not look perfect since Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon are still banged up and the offensive line probably needs more time to gel. But I’m not expecting another nine-point turkeyfart of a game from that unit. I’m expecting something closer to the other three games. Oh and the Redskins won’t be able to score themselves.
Patriots 30, Redskins 13.
Tony Massarotti (Felger & Mazz)
The real question: will the Patriots defense outscore the Redskins all by itself?
Patriots 41, Redskins 10.
Matt McCarthy (98.5 The Sports Hub)
Is there really much to say about this one? The Redskins are truly horrendous and the Patriots are outstanding. The Pats offense still isn’t firing on all cylinders and I don’t expect them to this week, either. They won’t put up 40, but the Redskins will barely score at all. When you have three quarterbacks, you have no quarterback.
Patriots 26, Redskins 3.
Mike ‘Sarge’ Riley (98.5 The Sports Hub)
After the Patriot offense had their toughest task of 2019 last week, I think they’ll revert back to what we saw in the first three weeks of the season.
And what better time for the run game, which has been suspect out of the game, as they’ll they go up against a Redskins team 28th in the league against the run and second to last with points allowed. And considering the majority of New England’s receivers are not all 100% healthy, I’m sticking with my Jakobi Meyers prediction from last week. This could be a good game for him as he got reps late in the win over the Jets and Brady tried to connect with him in the end zone at Buffalo.
And yes, all extra points and field goals will be good.
Patriots 35, Redskins 17.
