The going only gets tougher from here

Published September 29, 2010 4:00am ET



Don’t panic just yet Redskins fans. Because while your team is off to a 1-2 start with a loss to the woeful Rams, it also is still 1-0 in division play thanks to that win over the Cowboys.

And Dallas and the New York Giants are in the exact same predicament at 1-2. With a game at 2-1 Philadelphia this weekend, Washington could find itself in control of the division race at 2-2.

Of course, the Redskins almost need to win considering their difficult schedule in the ensuing weeks, including games against Green Bay (2-1) and Indianapolis (2-1). New York has to play Chicago (3-0) and Houston (2-1) — two teams also off to strong starts — and the Cowboys get Tennessee and Minnesota, not exactly a pair of lightweights.

Philadelphia has taken advantage of an easy early schedule. But after it faces the Redskins, games with Atlanta (2-1), Tennessee (2-1), Indianapolis, Chicago and Houston loom.

In what was supposed to be one of the NFL’s best divisions, 9-7 may do it.

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