The 2017 Washington Redskins are a team in search of their own identity after losing two 1000-yard receivers via free agency this past offseason. While the Redskins do have other options including the elusive Jamison Crowder and free-agent acquisition Terrelle Pryor, the unit has not looked like they're completely on the same page with quarterback Kirk Cousins this preseason. That could also be attributed to the vanilla play calling from Redskins head coach Jay Gruden the last few weeks as the team tries to avoid showing any plays they may have been working on this summer.

At any rate, the team still has some things to sort out over the next 13 days before the Redskins take the field to kick-off the season against Philadelphia. With that in mind let's take a look at five bold predictions for the Washington Redskins in 2017.

The Redskins will sweep the Eagles for the third straight year in a row

The Redskins and Eagles have been going back and forth in their heated rivalry for as long as the Nfc East has existed. The last five times the teams have met the Redskins have come out the victors.

The Eagles will push the issue this season, but second-year quarterback Carson Wentz will remain winless against Washington as the Redskins will sweep the Eagles for the third straight season.

The Redskins will have a top 10 offense and defense

The 2016 Redskins defense was one of the worst units on third-downs that the NFL has seen since the modern-day merger.

The team simply could not stop opposing offenses. Enter 2017: The Redskins made several upgrades to their unit bringing in former Buffalo Bills linebacker Zach Brown, who lead the NFL in tackles in 2016, defensive ends Terrell McClain from Dallas, and Stacy McGee from Oakland.

The team also added some vital pieces via the NFL Draft including Alabama stars defensive end Jonathan Allen and linebacker Ryan Anderson.

Washington will have veteran playmaker Ryan Kerrigan leading the way on defense, but will also display a revamped safety position that includes former Cardinals safety D.J Swearinger and former linebacker-turned-safety Su'a Cravens (who is currently recovering from minor knee surgery) on the back-end.

With a healthy Junior Galette and the production of Allen along with Kerrigan and defensive lineman Stacy McGee, the Redskins defensive unit should level out into a top ten group by seasons end. With the added pressure the front seven should bring, cornerback Josh Norman will have an increase in interceptions as well.

Samaje Perine will lead all rookie RB's in yards and touchdown's

Samaje Perine is easily one of the most underrated running backs in the group of NFL rookie back of 2017.

While this may be one that Redskins fans clearly don't see coming, Perine will take over the starting job from Rob Kelley by week four and lead all rookie ball carriers in yards and touchdowns in 2017.

Both of these backs need to have good seasons if Washington wants to be a competitive team in 2017.

Both Junior Galette and Ryan Kerrigan will have 10+ sacks

If Junior Galette can stay healthy, this will be an easy one. Kerrigan's numbers will only improve with a healthy and productive Galette on the opposite side. If rookie Jonathan Allen shows out like he did in college both of these edge-rushers will reap the benefits his big frame brings to the equation.

A lot depends on how well the team does on the defensive line in terms of this prediction coming true. The addition of defensive line coach Jim Tomsula should give fans some confidence in this group.

The Redskins will win at least nine games and compete for the NFC East title

This will obviously be the toughest get on this years five bold predictions list, but not an impossible feat at all. The team would have to do no worse than split with the Giants and Cowboys, and sweep Philly. Washington would then have to win at least five of the other ten games on their tough schedule, which will not be an easy task but is doable.

Along with playing the other NFC East teams twice, the Redskins will also play the AFC West and NFC West teams this year with two trips to California, one to Kansas City, one to Seattle and one to New Orleans on the schedule.

The Redskins toughest stretch will come from week seven against the Eagles and go until week 13 against the Cowboys. During that time they will face Philly, Dallas twice, the Seahawks in Seattle, Minnesota, Saints in New Orleans, and New York at FedEx Field. That stretch of games will decide how good the 2017 Redskins are, and also if this last prediction comes true.
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