Oct. 22—1. Weight of expectations: The Washington Football Team finished at the top of a putrid pile when they won the NFC East last year with a 7-9 record. An unsettled quarterback situation was the team's biggest problem, but the defense, led by edge rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young, was fourth in the league in scoring and second in yards allowed.
The Team became a trendy pick to take a step forward and challenge for the division title again—presumably with a winning record this time—based on the perceived strength of the defense.
But that perception has not been the reality.