Washington Redskins

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Lore & Background

The 2016 campaign was defined by a grueling schedule that tested Washington against elite competition. The team faced seven games against eventual playoff teams: four combined contests against division rivals Dallas and New York, matches against Green Bay and Detroit (part of an NFC North sweep), and a clash with Pittsburgh, the sole AFC North representative. The Redskins went 2–5 in these high-stakes matchups, a record that directly contributed to their exclusion from the postseason. Key moments included a thrilling Week 11 victory over the Green Bay Packers, where Washington avenged a previous playoff loss with a 42–24 win, and a dramatic Week 7 rally at Detroit that was ultimately undone by a Matthew Stafford pass to Anquan Boldin. The season also saw significant roster turnover, including the release of Robert Griffin III in March and the team's first-ever game in London.

In Their Own Story

Week 1 began with a grim reality as Washington suffered their worst opening-day home loss since 1966 against Pittsburgh, dropping to 0–1 after five consecutive losses to the Steelers. Momentum shifted in Week 3 when the Redskins defeated the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium for the first time since 2011. The season's turning point arrived in London during Week 8; with minutes left in overtime, Dustin Hopkins missed a game-winning field goal, and although Andy Dalton later fumbled to give Washington the ball back, a final Hail Mary failed, resulting in a tie not seen by the franchise since 1997. The team rebounded to improve to 5–3–1 with a dominant second-half shutout of Minnesota. However, the road to the playoffs crumbled after a Thanksgiving Day sweep by Dallas and a Week 13 interception by Patrick Peterson that sealed their fate against Arizona. In the final week, pressure from the Giants and two interceptions by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie eliminated Washington from contention, closing out an 8–7–1 campaign.

Reader's Guide

Fans should note the specific struggles of the Redskins in intra-division play during this season, particularly their inability to overcome Dallas and New York when it mattered most. The 2016 roster saw the departure of key veterans like Dashon Goldson, Jason Hatcher, and Robert Griffin III on March 8, setting a new tone for the team's direction. Draft strategies included swapping first-round picks with Houston and trading multiple selections to acquire future assets from New Orleans and New York.

Did You Know?

• The 2016 season was the first time in franchise history the Redskins played a game in London.
• Washington finished 8–7–1, marking their first consecutive winning seasons since 1996 and 1997.
• The team went 2–5 against opponents who eventually reached the playoffs, a primary factor in missing the postseason.
• This was the final winning season for the franchise before they retired the 'Redskins' name four years later.
• Kirk Cousins led a late touchdown run at Detroit in Week 7, but Matthew Stafford's pass to Anquan Boldin ended the Redskins' winning streak.