Redskins.com - Closer Look At The 2004 Schedule

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A Closer Look At the 2004 Schedule

04/16/2004

By Gary Fitzgerald

Redskins.com

It feels like a rite of spring. When the NFL schedule is released every April, football fans far and wide scrutinze it for potential wins and losses, examine it for must-see games, scope out which games will be on national television, and so on.

In looking at the 2004 schedule, it appears to be manageable for head coach Joe Gibbs and the Redskins. Three road games in November will be challenging, since that's when most teams begin to make their move for a postseason run.

In December, a Sunday night matchup against Philadelphia is followed by two road games against San Francisco and then Dallas (on the day after Christmas). That could be the Redskins' most difficult stretch of the season. Here's a closer look at the Redskins’ opponents this season:

Week 1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sept, 12, 1 p.m. ET

The Bucs are just two years removed from a Super Bowl championship, so the first regular-season game in 12 years for Joe Gibbs should be a stern test. Tampa Bay still has Jon Gruden as head coach and Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator, two of the best in the business.

With Warren Sapp and John Lynch both elsewhere next season, the Bucs’ defense will have a new look. Former Redskin Brad Johnson will head into training camp as the probable starting quarterback.

The game will also be a homecoming for former Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, who signed on with the Bucs as a personnel executive last February.

Week 2

@ New York Giants, Sept. 19, 1 p.m. ET

With Tom Coughlin taking the reins in New York, the Giants appear to be undergoing a makeover, particularly on defense. Cornelius Griffin and Ralph Brown have joined the Redskins, Dhani Jones is in Philly, Brandon Short is in Carolina and Michael Barrow remains unsigned.

But the Giants still have Pro Bowl-caliber talent, with the likes of Michael Strahan leading the defense and Kerry Collins, Jeremy Shockey, Tiki Barber and Amani Toomer sparking the offense.

At this point, the Giants are a tough team to get a read on heading into next season. But with Coughlin, they’ll certainly be one of the hardest working teams in the NFL.

Week 3

Dallas Cowboys, Sept. 27, 9 p.m. ET

Monday Night Football. Joe Gibbs. Bill Parcells. Redskins vs. Cowboys. FedExField. Does anything else need to be said?

Certainly this is a game to circle on your calendar. It’ll pit Gibbs vs. Parcells for the first time since 1992. The Redskins have lost 12 of the last 13 to Dallas, including a 27-0 blowout last December. If anyone understands what this rivalry is all about, it’s Gibbs.

Week 4

@ Cleveland, Oct. 3, 1 p.m. ET

It’s the first time these two teams have played since 1991, when Gibbs’ Redskins routed the Browns 42-17. Under Butch Davis, Cleveland is a team that is undergoing significant changes this offseason. The most notable? Jeff Garcia, formerly of San Francisco, is the new starting quarterback.

Among former Redskins, Kenard Lang is a starter on defense, Terry Robiskie is offensive coordinator and George Edwards is linebackers coach.

Week 5

Baltimore Ravens, Oct. 10, 8:30 p.m. ET

A Sunday night matchup between two I-95 rivals, the Ravens come to FedExField for the third time in club history. Baltimore is led by a pair of Lewis’s in middle linebacker Ray Lewis and running back Jamal Lewis.

Some young stars may be emerging, however. Quarterback Kyle Boller has one year under his belt, as does outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. Chris McAlister and Ed Reed spearhead a solid secondary.

Week 6

@ Chicago, Oct. 17, 1 p.m. ET

The Redskins will look to avenge last December’s 20-17 loss to the Bears in the Windy City. Lovie Smith takes over as head coach of the Bears, but many of the familiar names will likely take the field, including middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and quarterback Rex Grossman. Former Redskin Bryan Johnson now plays for the Bears.

Week 7

BYE, Oct. 24

Seems like a good time for the bye week. It’s always best to have a bye mid-season as opposed to early in the year. After the bye, the Redskins should be well-rested for the November and December run.

Week 8

Green Bay Packers, Oct. 31, 1 p.m. ET

On Halloween, it’s the Packers’ first visit to the Nation’s Capital since 1979—meaning that it’s Brett Favre’s first visit to Washington as a Packer. (He played briefly in a game at RFK, but as a rookie with the Atlanta Falcons.)

The Packers, a playoff team last year, have had a relatively quiet offseason, but with solid talent in Ahman Green, Donald Driver and, of course, Favre, they should be strong again in 2004.

Week 9

@ Detroit, Nov. 7, 1 p.m. ET

It’s November, when playoff teams usually begin to make their push. The Redskins travel to Detroit for their debut at Ford Field. The Lions and head coach Steve Mariucci hope to field an up-and-coming team with the likes of quarterback Joey Harrington, wide receiver Charles Rogers, linebacker Boss Bailey and cornerback Dre’ Bly.

Former Redskin alert: Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson is also slated to play against his former team for the first time.

Week 10

Cincinnati Bengals, Nov. 14, 4:05 p.m. ET

Marvin Lewis led a remarkable turnaround in Cincinnati last year and now he returns to FedExField for the first time since leaving the Redskins following the 2002 season. Also, former Redskins offensive coordinator Hue Jackson now coaches the running backs in Cincinnati.

Carson Palmer takes over for Jon Kitna as the projected starter at quarterback for the Bengals. The Redskins should have a good read on his tendencies by this time of the season.

Week 11

@ Philadelphia, Nov. 21, 4:15 p.m. ET

At the Linc, it’s the first of two against the Eagles in four weeks. It’s also the first of a six-week stretch in which the Redskins will face off against NFC East foes. It’s possible the division could be won or lost during this period.

Philly has added Jevon Kearse and Terrell Owens to a team that has won the NFC East each of the last three seasons and won four straight against the Redskins. But they have lost a pair of Pro Bowl corners in Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor and appear to have settled on youngsters Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown as their replacements.

Meantime, former Eagle wide receiver James Thrash—back in Washington—has circled this game on his calendar.

Week 12

@ Pittsburgh, Nov. 28, 1 p.m. ET

The Redskins travel to play at Heinz Field for the first time in club history. The last time the Redskins and Steelers played was in the Three Rivers Stadium finale back in 2000.

It’ll be an interesting season for the Steelers. With high expectations, they struggled in 2003. Under Bill Cowher, Russ Grimm takes over as assistant head coach/offensive line and he’ll have former Eagles running back Duce Staley to pound the ball.

The Steelers also field a solid defense with the likes of Casey Hampton and Kendrell Bell, but they have a young secondary.

Week 13

New York Giants, Dec. 5, 4:15 p.m. ET

It’s a rematch with the Giants—this time at FedExField—and the second of four NFC East opponents in six weeks for the Redskins.

Week 14

Philadelphia, Dec. 12, 8:30 p.m. ET

In the Redskins’ third prime-time game of 2004, the Redskins host the Eagles at FedExField on Sunday night. It’s the third year in a row the two teams will rivals will play on national television.

Week 15

@ San Francisco, Dec. 18, 5 p.m. ET

The last time the Redskins traveled to San Francisco in late December? It was 1999 and the Redskins scored a 26-20 overtime victory to win the NFC East title.

This Saturday afternoon game is the first of two late-December road trips that should be tests for the Redskins.

With the loss of Garcia and Owens, the 49ers will sport a new look in 2004. Tim Rattay is poised to take over at quarterback and Kevan Barlow has emerged as San Francisco’s franchise running back.

Week 16

@ Dallas, Dec. 26, 4:15 p.m. ET

The Redskins close out their road schedule with their second-furthest trip of the season. The arch-rival Dallas Cowboys await at Texas Stadium in a game to be played the day after Christmas.

Week 17

Minnesota, Jan. 2, 2005, 1 p.m. ET

In the season finale last year, the Vikings lost to the Arizona Cardinals on the game’s final play—and subsequently were knocked out of the playoffs. This year, Minnesota travels to Washington to close out the season.

It’s the first game between the two teams since 1998. That means it’s also the first opportunity for Redskins fans to get a look at Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper and wide receiver Randy Moss.