Redskins Clinch NFC East Title, End 13-Year Postseason Drought

Strategic Insights -

The Washington Redskins, fueled by rookies Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris, claimed their first NFC East division title since 1999, beating the Dallas Cowboys 28-18 in a winner-take-all finale Sunday night. Griffin, a first-round pick, ran for 63 yards and a touchdown, while Morris, a sixth-rounder from Florida Atlantic, set the franchise single-season rushing record with 200 yards and three scores. The Redskins' turnaround was nothing short of remarkable, rallying from a 3-6 start to win seven consecutive games after their bye week.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Redskins are the first NFL team since the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1996 to rally from 3-6 to make the playoffs.
  • Alfred Morris set the franchise single-season rushing record with 1,613 yards, surpassing Clinton Portis' 1,516 yards in 2005.
  • Robert Griffin III, a first-round pick, ran for 63 yards and a touchdown, while completing 9 of 18 passes for 100 yards.
  • The Redskins set a franchise record for fewest turnovers in a season with 14, fewer even than the 1982 team that played only nine regular-season games due to a players strike.
  • Tony Romo threw three interceptions, including one in the final minutes that sealed the loss for the Cowboys.
  • The Cowboys (8-8) missed the playoffs for the third straight season, having stumbled in a make-or-break end-of-regular-season game for the third time in five years.

Statistics:

  • The Redskins' seven-game winning streak marked their first playoff appearance since 2007.
  • Alfred Morris' 200 yards rushing in the game set a new franchise record, surpassing Clinton Portis' 196 yards in 2005.
  • The Redskins' 28-18 victory marked their first division title since 1999.
  • The Redskins' 14 turnovers in a season set a new franchise record, fewer than the 1982 team that played only nine regular-season games.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press
  • Joseph White