RELATED LINKS:-- Redskins Sign Reed To Multi-Year Extension-- Redskins Players Share Photos For Mother's Day
It's very difficult to repeat as division champions in the NFL -- just ask the Redskins, Cowboys, Giants and Eagles, part of an NFC East that has had a new division winner every year since 2005.
But NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt believes the Redskins have a legitimate shot of breaking that 11-year trend and repeating as NFC East champions. He came up with a list of teams who are most susceptible to giving up their division title this coming season and has Washington as the least likely to give up their crown.
"I like the Redskins to repeat in 2016, just because they've put together a pretty good roster and should be playing with plenty of confidence," Brandt said.
Brandt feels the Redskins' high level of confidence stems from the confidence that their quarterback – Trent Williams – displayed on a weekly basis last season.
"Kirk Cousins had a great 2015 (69.8 percent completion rate, 29 touchdowns, 11 picks, 101.6 passer rating) and should solidify his status as a viable NFL quarterback, especially when you consider the incentive in front of him as a franchise-tagged player," Brandt said.
It's never one man that leads a team to a division title and a playoff berth; it's a group of 53-men that are responsible for a team's success, and Brandt sees that with the Redskins.
"The Ryan Kerrigan-led defense will get a boost from the addition of Josh Norman and the return of Junior Galette (who missed 2015 with a torn Achilles tendon), while rookie receiver Josh Doctson will only augment a pass-catching crew that includes Jamison Crowder, Pierre Garcon and matchup nightmare Jordan Reed at tight end," Brandt said.
Of course Washington's division mates aren't just going to lie down and not fight for the top spot. Brandt can see some major battles ahead between the Redskins, Giants and Cowboys during the regular season based off the additions New York and Dallas made this offseason.
"The Giants and Dallas Cowboys (who added a crucial piece in rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott) should both press Washington," Brandt said. "New York has an excellent QB-WR combo in Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., and the defensive spending spree (with the additions of pass rusher Olivier Vernon, defensive lineman Damon Harrison and corner Janoris Jenkins) will pay dividends, while rookie corner Eli Apple should contribute. Still, I'm confident Washington will outlast everyone."
.
.
.
