What We Know About The Washington Redskins After 8 Games

The Washington Redskins are 3-5 on the year, and are surprisingly still in contention to win the NFC East. They are coming off a loss to the Patriots on Sunday, but the first half of the season has been better than expected in Washington. Here are three things we've learned about them so far this season:

3) Kirk Cousins can be good - but the's incredibly inconsistent

Cousins has looked great at times this year - most notably when he passed for 317 yards and three touchdowns in a comeback victory over the Buccaneers - but has also thrown nine interceptions. In fact, that seems to be the determining factor in how Washington does on the field. 

When Cousins turns the ball over, the Redskins are 0-5 on the year. When he doesn't they're 3-0. The Redskins need him to become much more consistent if they want to make the playoffs.

2) Washington needs to force turnovers

Washington's secondary has been good this season, ranking in the top 10 in passing yards allowed this season, but they haven't been able to make the game-changing plays they've needed to. The Redskins have only intercepted four passes this year, which is tied for the second-worst in the league. If the secondary wants to truly be the strength of this team, they need to create more turnovers.

1) Head coach Jay Gruden is on the hot seat

Gruden's handling of Robert Griffin III alone would be enough to make this list. He's thrown Griffin under the bus numerous times, which is something a head coach should never do. He's staked his future on Kirk Cousins, which has not - and will not - pay off. The Redskins are somehow 3-5 and still in the mix in the NFC East with wins over the Rams, Eagles, and Bucs. If they collapse down the stretch, don't be surprised to see them fire Gruden at the end of the season.

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