For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Washington Redskins are coming off consecutive winning seasons for the first time since finishing 9-7 in 1996 and 8-7-1 in ’97. So talk about a big-time case of déjà vu? Jay Gruden’s squad won the NFC East with a 9-7 mark in 2015 and followed that with an 8-7-1 record this past year. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the team’s performance in ’16 was the fact that the club was a mere 4-4 at home. That came back to bite Gruden’s team in the backfield in the season finale this year when they couldn’t beat the visiting New York Giants.
All told, we’ve known since the conclusion of the regular season end who all 32 teams will be playing this year. So what are the scheduling highlights for the Redskins in 2017?
Games of note
This past season, the Washington Redskins were 3-3 vs. their divisional rivals, including a sweep at the hands of the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Kirk Cousins did his share in both games but the Washington defense just wasn’t up to the task. This year’s battles with their longtime divisional rival first takes place at Washington (Week 8) and then on a Thursday evening at Dallas (Week 13). It’s also somewhat interesting to note that the team will be making two trips to Los Angeles this season, first to face the Rams (Week 2) and then the Chargers (Week 14).
Like the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, the Redskins also have to make road trips to 2016 NFC West champion Seattle (Week 9 and defending AFC West champion Kansas City (Week 4) on Monday Night Football. And one-time Washington offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will bring his San Francisco 49ers to FedExField in Week 6.
Tricky stretches
Jay Gruden’s team doesn’t have any long streaks of any kind. The Washington Redskins have back-to-back home games against the Arizona Cardinals in Weeks 15 and 16, respectively. A few weeks before that, the club does have a bit of a challenge. After a trip south to the Superdome to clash with the New Orleans Saints (Week 11), the ‘Skins play host to the New York Giants on Thanksgiving night.
That key contest is directly followed by another Thursday evening encounter as Gruden’s club heads to Dallas to face the Cowboys. All told, Washington plays a total of five primetime games. Finally, the Washington Redskins’ mini-vacation this season comes in Week 5 following that previously-mentioned Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
