The Washington Redskins are heading into the 2017 NFL season looking to prove that they shouldn’t be overlooked. Even though the Dallas Cowboys were the best regular season team in the league last season, the Redskins are confident that they cannot only compete with the Cowboys but unseat them in the NFC East.

Kirk Cousins was one of the biggest offseason priorities for the Redskins, and they were able to bring him back for at least one more season. His future behind 2017 is in doubt, but Washington’s aerial attack is guaranteed to be deadly once again.

Last season, the Redskins finished the regular season with an 8-7-1 record. It was a rough season after the Redskins had made the playoffs the year before, unfortunately being knocked out of the playoffs by the Green Bay Packers. Washington may not be viewed as a favorite in the NFC this season, but they are a definite sleeper team to keep an eye on.

It will be an interesting season in the NFC. Green Bay and Dallas are considered to be front-runners once again, with the Atlanta Falcons also being a team to watch. Washington hasn’t gotten love from the national media to this point, but they are happy being the underdog.

All of that being said, what reasons can be given to support the statement that the Redskins will end up winning the NFC East this season?

Washington’s Defense Has Top-Notch Potential

Josh Norman is one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in the NFL and will lead an underrated Washington defense. They may not be elite, but they have playmaking potential. Looking at the NFC East, the Redskins have a good chance to have the best defense in the division.

Would Kirk Cousins take the Derek Carr deal? https://t.co/vx9k3g5GA0 pic.twitter.com/pAxSt2RXKz — SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) July 11, 2017

Kirk Cousins Puts Up Numbers

While Cousins may not be viewed as an elite quarterback, he still puts up big production. Cousins threw for 4,917 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. He needs to pick up his touchdown numbers in 2017, but there are very few quarterbacks who shoulder that much of a workload for their offense.

Improved Offense Around Cousins

Cousins may be the leader of the Redskins’ offense, but the team knew they needed to bring in more talent around him. Signing Terrelle Pryor in free agency was a huge move, even though they did lose DeSean Jackson. Washington made other moves to their offense, which made their already prolific offense from last season even stronger.

Will Terrelle Pryor surpass 1,000 receiving yards this season? @JPFinlayCSN likes his chances. https://t.co/EGddeIS4bK pic.twitter.com/79J5qEaRrP — CSN Redskins (@CSNRedskins) July 5, 2017

Glaring Weaknesses for the Rest of the Division

Washington may not be a Super Bowl contender in most people’s minds, but other teams in the NFC East have more glaring weaknesses than the Redskins. Dallas has a lot of defensive troubles, while the Giants also have defensive issues and questions at the running back position. Philadelphia doesn’t have a great defense either, which round out the rest of the division.

Do you think the Washington Redskins have a chance to win the NFC East division? What are your record predictions for their regular season? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[Featured Image by Nick Wass/AP Images]