Record: 8-8
Trench Counter: 1.9 (13th)
Point differential per game: -1.9 (22nd)
Payroll: $111.9M (18th)
Cost Per Win: $14.0M (19th)
Passing offense: 189.1 (23rd)
Rushing offense: 131.0 (8th)
Passing defense: 193.4 (7th)
Rushing defense: 95.4 (8th)
Turnover differential: 0.0 (17th)
Strength of schedule: 14th
If their season were a song: Hot and Cold ? Katy Perry
Game-by-Game (Score, Trench Counter)
Week 1: @ NYG, 7-16 Loss, -3.8
Week 2: NO, 29-24 Win, 21.4
Week 3: ARI, 24-17 Win, 1.5
Week 4: @ DAL, 26-24 Win, 3.7
Week 5: @ PHI, 23-17 Win, 6.5
Week 6: STL, 17-19 Loss, 15.2
Week 7: CLE, 14-11 Win, 6.9
Week 8: @ DET, 25-17 Win, 10.4
Week 9: PIT, 6-23 Loss, -7.9
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: DAL, 10-14 Loss, -1
Week 12: @ SEA, 20-17 Win, 10.9
Week 13: NYG, 7-23 Loss, -10.1
Week 14: @ BAL, 10-24 Loss, -5.9
Week 15: @ CIN, 12-30 Loss, -10.8
Week 16: PHI, 3-10 Win, -10.8
Week 17: @ SF, 24-27 Loss, -7.7
Season Summary
The Redskins made a splash with six wins in seven weeks beginning in Week 2, including wins over the rival Cowboys and Eagles on the road, but they stumbled down the stretch and won just two of their final eight games. Clinton Portis, who was a leading candidate to win MVP through the season's midpoint, wasn't as effective down the stretch, which was just one of the reasons for the team's decline.
Reina Value and FIC Rank
Quarterback
- Jason Campbell (12th, 753, 296%)
Campbell showed tremendous growth at the beginning of the season, but saw a slight dip in his numbers after Washington's bye in Week 10. He set career-highs across the board in 2008, and would have pushed the team into the playoffs if it hadn't been for a few disappointing losses in the second half. Through Week 9, Campbell had 1,960 yards, 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 176-for-273 passing (64.5%). In his last seven games, he posted 1,285 yards, five touchdowns, four interceptions on 139-for-233 passing (59.6%).
Running Backs
- Clinton Portis (7th, [507 rushing, 148 receiving], -7%)
Portis had his best season since 2005, rushing for 1,487 yards and nine touchdowns on 342 carries. His 4.3 yards per carry was a high in Washington, but he still hasn't approached his efficiency numbers from his days in Denver. He had five efforts of more than 100 yards and scored seven touchdowns in the season's first nine weeks, but eclipsed 100 yards just once and reached the end zone twice in the final seven games of 2008.
- Ladell Betts (63rd, [57 rushing, 128 receiving], -37%)
Betts didn't receive as many touches this season because of the comeback year enjoyed by Portis. He rushed just 61 times for 206 yards and one touchdown, the lowest totals of his seven-year NFL career. He was a decent threat in the receiving game, tallying nearly as many receptions as Portis did out of the backfield.
Wide Receivers
- Santana Moss (16th, 676, 55%)
Moss reached the 1,000-yard plateau for the first time since the 2005 season, catching 79 passes for 1,044 yards and six scores. Keeping with the theme of the Redskins in 2008, Moss was far more productive in the first half of the season than the latter portion. He averaged just 53.1 yards and scored just one touchdown after Washington's Week 10 bye.
- Antwaan Randle El (47th, 404, -8%)
Randle El actually set a career-high in receptions (53) in 2008, but was far less productive than we've come to expect. He gained 11.2 yards per catch, one of his lowest marks in the last five years. He also set a career-high in touchdowns (four), actually scoring three of them over the season's final six weeks.
Tight End
- Chris Cooley (5th, 541, 37%)
Cooley had an issue finding the end zone, but had his best season in terms of receptions and yards in 2008. Unfortunately, the play he'll be most known for last season was will probably be a very risqu? picture that ended up on his blog. He continued to develop a nice rapport with Campbell, which could bode well for his chances at reaching the 100-catch mark next season.
Defensive Summary
The Redskins were very good defensively, but not very opportunistic. They finished in the top eight in terms of both passing and rushing yards allowed per game, but ranked near the bottom of the leagues in takeaways and sacks. More big plays could very well have vaulted Washington into the playoffs.
Biggest draft needs
As Jeff Risdon points out in his latest 2009 NFL Mock Draft, the Redskins are far from young on both sides of the line. If the focus isn't on adding an influx on big-bodied talent, then a shot in the arm on offense would be welcomed as well. Players with the ability to make big plays on either side of the ball are desperately needed.
Previous Audits
32. Detroit Lions
31. St. Louis Rams
30. Oakland Raiders
29. Cleveland Browns
28. Seattle Seahawks
27. Cincinnati Bengals
26. Kansas City Chiefs
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
24. Buffalo Bills
23. Denver Broncos
22. San Francisco 49ers
21. Dallas Cowboys
20. Houston Texans
19. Green Bay Packers
18. Chicago Bears
17. Arizona Cardinals
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
15. New Orleans Saints
14. Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Perna writes on the MLB and NBA for RealGM.
Follow @Andrew_Perna on Twitter.