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          NFL Nation

          Redskins' schedule includes tough finish with two late games vs. Eagles

          Jay Gruden and Washington will see Doug Pederson's Eagles twice in the last six weeks. Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports
          • John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterApr 20, 2018, 12:01 AM
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              John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
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          The NFL has released its 2018 regular-season schedule. Here’s a look at what’s in store for the Washington Redskins:

          Breakdown: The Redskins have a difficult schedule based on what their opponents did last year, with seven games against teams that made the postseason. And the toughest part is definitely down the stretch, with four road games in their last six. Of those games, four are vs. NFC East opponents and two are vs. the defending Super Bowl champions. The Redskins have not finished well the last two years, going 2-4 in the last six games of 2016 and 2-3 over the last five a year ago. They can’t afford to stumble down the stretch this season or jobs could be on the line. One note: Their bye week is the earliest since 2007. They had a Week 5 bye in 2017, which did not help with so many injured players needing a week or two off after that point.

          Turkey Day again: The Redskins will play on Thanksgiving Day for the third straight season, heading to Dallas for the second time in three years. Washington is 1-7 vs. the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. Why are these teams playing on the holiday again so soon after their last matchup? Fox said after the previous meeting that it was the most watched regular-season game in network history, with 35.1 million viewers. The Redskins play Houston at home four days prior to their trip to Dallas but then will have 10 days off before playing on Monday Night Football.

          Prime-time flops: That’s what the Redskins have been on Monday night for a long time. Both of their MNF games are on the road against 2017 playoff teams (New Orleans and Philadelphia). The Redskins have lost eight of their last nine on Monday night and 13 of their last 15. In those 15 games, they’ve allowed an average of 29.2 points. And they’ll be facing two high-powered offenses. The Redskins’ defense started to play well early last season, then injuries hit a group that wasn’t very deep and they couldn’t recover. That needs to change in 2018. Perhaps this will help: departed quarterback Kirk Cousins was 0-6 on Monday night. The new guy in charge, Alex Smith, helped lead a comeback win for Kansas City over Washington last season.

          Strength of schedule: 14th, .504

          Redskins' Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

          • Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, at Arizona, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

          • Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, Green Bay, 1 p.m.

          • Week 4: BYE

          • Week 5: Monday, Oct. 8, at New Orleans, 8:15 p.m.

          • Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14, Carolina, 1 p.m.

          • Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, Dallas, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, at NY Giants, 1 p.m.

          • Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, Atlanta, 1 p.m.

          • Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

          • Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, Houston, 1 p.m.

          • Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 22, at Dallas, 4:30 p.m.

          • Week 13: Monday, Dec. 3, at Philadelphia, 8:15 p.m.

          • Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, NY Giants, 1 p.m.

          • Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

          • Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

          • Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, Philadelphia, 1 p.m.