The Washington Redskins are looking to bounce-back in a year of transition.

The Washington Redskins come into 2018 needing to win. With a new quarterback. And a rookie running back. Yikes. Thankfully, the crowd has seen what Alex Smith can bring to the table. With other players, not so much. Sometimes, it’s injuries leading to doubts about their capabilities. Sometimes, it’s youth.

Here are the five X-factors for the Washington Redskins that will determine how the season goes for the organization.

Number Five: Rookie Running Back Derrius Guice

If you have watched the Washington Redskins over the last three years, you already know what I’m alluding to. For those who don’t, the Washington Redskins cannot run the rock for their lives.

The Redskins could run the ball when Alfred Morris was here, but they thought Matt Jones could replace him. Matt Jones is no longer in the league. Since Morris’ departure, the running back stable has been unstable. Derrius Guice is supposed to change all of that.

Even though he fell in the draft, Guice is drawing rave reviews at OTAs. While others are calling for over 1,000 yards rushing for him in 2018, I have a different goal. I need Guice to get four yards a carry. Four yards means 3rd and 2 instead of 3rd and 10.

If Guice can rush for 800 yards and 8 touchdowns, that’s a success in my book. Samaje Perine led the team last year with just over 600 yards rushing. Baby steps guys, baby steps.

Number Four: Wide Receiver Jamison Crowder

Jamison Crowder had a down year in 2017. His returning troubles seemed to leak into his receiver play. Furthermore, to the fans, Crowder did not appear to be the same player as in 2015 and 2016. The real Jamison Crowder did not stand up until Week 7, breaking out with 123 yards on nine receptions against the Cowboys.

With a new year comes new responsibilities for Jamison Crowder. He will not have to worry about returning kicks this year, focusing on slot receiver play. Hopefully, with a lessened workload, Crowder can return to old form.

I need Crowder to have more than two 100-yard receiving games in 2018. With only two games passing the century mark and only three touchdowns in 2017, consistent play in 2018 will do wonders for Crowder’s game.

Number Three: Rookie Nose Tackle DaRon Payne

The Washington Redskins’ defense looked like swiss cheese last year. One week, Ezekiel Elliott is getting to the third level and crushing the Redskins’ defensive backs. The next, LeGarrette Blount was tossing Redskins’ defensive ends off of him while rumbling for a touchdown. The defense took an incredible amount of punishment just from NFL running backs.

Redskins’ brass finally had enough of it. They were planning for Vita Vea but ended up picking DaRon Payne. Payne came highly recommended from Jonathan Allen and Ryan Anderson. Payne could finally plug the leak led to the worst rushing offense in the NFL.

I just need to feel that the Washington Redskins can stop a run. Nose tackles, by design, do not stuff the stat book. But Payne’s play will filter outward to other players’ statistics. Zach Brown could have 200 tackles, Josh Norman could have 6 interceptions due to pressure and having to pass so much. We will see.

Number Two. Whoever starts at cornerback across from Josh Norman

Quinton Dunbar or Fabien Moreau. Whichever one starts will be a huge determining factor for the Washington Redskins defense. Gone is the firey Bashaud Breeland, who, I felt, was an NFL cover corner. Yes, he was young but he was not a complete liability.

Gone is Kendall Fuller, who was used to replace Kirk Cousins. So now the fourth-best corner of 2017 is now the second-best on the team. That is not exactly the best look going into the year for the Washington Redskins.

If the Washington Redskins cannot defend the pass, just pack it in. In today’s NFL, the pass is the biggest part of the offensive strategy. The organization believes that Dunbar or Moreau can replace Breeland, I just hope that their play will show the same.

Number One. Tight End Jordan Reed

Jordan Reed is the top weapon for the Washington Redskins. It’s not even close. When healthy, he is mentioned in the same breath as Rob Gronkowski. Unfortunately, Reed has been anything but healthy. The Washington Redskins are depending on him being full-strength. If not, it will be a tough year for Jay Gruden.

The Redskins’ offense centers around Reed being a threat on the field. The offense cannot move effectively with Reed hurt. When he is in, the offense moves the ball methodically and grinds the defense. When he is hurt, it is three and outs and deep shots to try and make up yardage.

Jordan Reed has to play at least 14 games. His best season, 2015, he played in 14 games. The more games that Jordan Reed plays in, the more games that the Washington Redskins will be competitive. His game is quite literally game-changing. Reed’s health is the biggest X-factor for the Washington Redskins success in 2018.

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