The Redskins won the NFC East in 2015 and came up just short of a Wild Card bid in 2016. Despite that, the Vegas wiseguys have very little faith Washington makes the playoffs this season.
Odds to make the NFL playoffs via @LVSuperBook: pic.twitter.com/TDrroW0UfO
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) July 2, 2017
The most remarkable part of the 2017 NFL playoff odds might be the increased expectations in the Eagles compared to the Redskins. Washington hasn't lost to Philadelphia since 2014, yet the Vegas Hilton has the Eagles at nearly double the chances of making the playoffs as the Redskins. The Eagles have improved their offense this offseason, but still, the shift in odds seems significant.
It's not surprising the 'Skins playoff odds lag well behind the Cowboys and Giants.
ROSTER BATTLES: Left guard | Tight end | Nickel cornerback | Inside linebacker | Running back
Dallas and New York were two of the best teams in the NFC last season. The Giants had a tremendous defense and added Brandon Marshall and drafted Evan Engram to boost an offense that underperformed in 2016.
The Cowboys, however, lost a number of starters off a bend-but-don't-break defense, not to mention losing two starting offensive linemen. Dallas' strength was their run game, and its strength was the O-line. Regardless of the personnel upheaval, the Cowboys have the fifth-highest odds of making the playoffs in the NFL.
Back to Washington.
Maybe Vegas sees a team that lost 40 percent of its 2016 receiving yards in DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garçon, fired GM Scot McCloughan and has an ongoing contract struggle with QB Kirk Cousins and just doesn't see a playoff squad. But there still is talent, and the defense should be much improved.
Will that be enough?
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden has voiced optimism all offseason, even after losing Jackson, Garçon and McCloughan.
"We’ve had back-to-back winning seasons and there’s no reason for us not to be optimistic. Last year we were very close, lost 19-10 the last game of the year to get in. So, yeah, we’re excited," Gruden said in April.
In July, the head coach has to be optimisitc. Vegas doesn't.
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