Can the Redskins contend for the NFC East title?

We’re just two games into the season and there is a long, long way to go. But, at this moment, things are shaping up nicely for Washington.

Consider the following:

—The Cowboys, the defending division champs and current leaders at 2-0, will play for at least half of the season without perhaps their best player, Dez Bryant, and quarterback Tony Romo.

—Eagles coach Chip Kelly is looking less like a genius and more like a guy in over his head. He took over personnel controls and three of his high profile additions look like expensive mistakes. DeMarco Murray has rushed for a total of 11 yards in two games, cornerback Byron Maxwell looks lost, and quarterback Sam Bradford has two TD’s, four interceptions and a 72 passer rating. They are 0-2.

—The 0-2 Giants are choking away games in historic fashion. They are the only team since 1925 to lose its first two games after leading by 10 or more points in the fourth quarter.

—Meanwhile the Redskins are 1-1 and they had their chances to be 2-0. They are doing things according to their plan, leading the NFL in both total defense and rushing yardage. They are flying well under the radar.

As long as we’re here, let’s take a look ahead. The Redskins have the Giants and Eagles in the next two weeks. If they can keep those two teams reeling and the wounded Cowboys split against the Falcons and Saints, the Redskins will be tied for first place a quarter of the way through the season.

Then there are 12 games to go and a lot will happen. Instead of parsing out possible results of games that will be played after Thanksgiving, let’s leave it at this. Is it out of the question that this Redskins team could work their formula of running the ball and playing good defense into eight wins? Is it possible that the Eagles and Giants will go no better than 8-6 the rest of the season? Might the Cowboys, who are 6-9 when they have played without Romo, struggle while he is out for perhaps as many as 10 weeks and end up with just eight wins?

One more warning that there is a long way to go. But now there is a glimmer of hope—just a glimmer—in a Redskins season that appeared to be headed to its familiar destination of nowhere just 24 hours ago.