A weekly examination of the Redskins’ ESPN.com Power Ranking.
Preseason: 10 | Last Week: 19 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
When the season started, the Washington Redskins were considered a top-10 team by the ESPN.com voters. Now they’re in the bottom 10. And deservedly so.
The Redskins, who opened up at No. 10 before the season, have tumbled all the way to No. 24 after a second consecutive loss, this time by 18 points to the Green Bay Packers. Perennial contender Pittsburgh, also 0-2, is one spot behind the Redskins. Sunday's opponent, Detroit, is 18th.
But that’s little solace for a team that clearly expected more than what they’ve done thus far. The Redskins have been outscored 50-7 in the first half of the first two games combined. The defense misses too many tackles; the offense can’t convert third downs and the special teams hasn’t helped at all. Defenses are preventing Robert Griffin III from getting outside the pocket -- last year teams were afraid to blitz and play man against them, fearing what he’d do if he broke through. That hasn’t been the case in 2013.
The Redskins need Griffin to make big plays and throws early in the game, giving them a chance in the second half. But he at least can improve coming off his knee surgery. The defense will be harder to fix.