Welcome back to "The Redskinny," a weekly preview of the local professional football team's upcoming game and opponent. Every Thursday, you can find any and all information* about the Redskins' next opponent in this space.
(*Sometimes, it may be some or most information.)
Here comes Week 4.
Week 3 opponent: Oakland Raiders (1-2)
Game information: Sunday, Sept. 29 -- O.co Coliseum -- 4:25 p.m. -- FOX
Last week: For the first time in over a decade, the Redskins lost their first three games of the season after a 27-20 loss to the Lions. The Raiders, meanwhile, not only lost a 37-21 game to the Broncos, but potentially lost starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor to a concussion.
What's the skinny?: The numbers say that the Redskins' chances to qualify for the postseason after an 0-3 start are somewhere between slim and none, but it was only one year ago that they rebounded from a 3-6 start to win the NFC East with a 10-6 record. That being said, Washington will try to jumpstart that turnaround in Raider Nation.
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Pryor's playing status for Sunday is unclear -- if he doesn't play, Matt Flynn will start -- but the Redskins are preparing as if the former Ohio State Buckeye will indeed be under center.
“We’re preparing for Terrelle Pryor right now because he’s listed as the starter,” Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan told reporters. “If it’s Matt Flynn that does come in, then that’ll be something we adjust to. …With Matt Flynn, you know what you’re getting. You’re getting more of a traditional pocket passer, whereas Terrelle Pryor does a number of things with his legs and his arm. So preparing for Terrelle Pryor, since he is the starter and does have that unique skill set, will be our focus.”
If Pryor does play, then the Redskins' league-worst defense (which is on pace to be the worst of all time, by the way) will have to contend with the AFC's fourth-leading rusher.
Statistic Of The Week: Just win, baby.
What The 'Skins Are Saying:
"I think the swagger you are talking about, it's hard to have that swagger sitting at 0-3, but I don't think the team has lost its sense of confidence. We know we can turn it around. We're built to get out of this hole just like we were last year."
- Robert Griffin III on his team's winless start
What The Raiders Are Saying:
"I'm not going to try and prove anything. If I do get the chance to play, then I'll play the best I can. I'm going to go out there and lay it on the line and try to do the things I can to try help this team win. Nothing has shaken confidence in myself, so I'm going to go out there and I believe I can do it and do the best I can."
- Flynn on potentially starting Sunday
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