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What history tells us about Washington Football Team’s chances of reaching .500

By Jonathan Eig

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 20: Robert Griffin III #10 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after the Redskins scored a touchdown in the second half during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears at FedExField on October 20, 2013 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 20: Robert Griffin III #10 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after the Redskins scored a touchdown in the second half during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears at FedExField on October 20, 2013 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Football Team in action against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 18-10. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Football Team in action against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 18-10. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) /

2015 – 9-7, up from 4-12

Scot McCloughan was hired as WFT’s general manager in January, 2015. He drafted Brendan Scherff, Preston Smith, and Jamison Crowder. There was some hope that Washington finally had an independent talent evaluator in charge.

But not everything went smoothly. The running back McCloughan chose to take over for the aging Alfred Morris, Matt Jones, never showed much promise. Several other acquisitions were underwhelming. And once again, RGIII was hurt. The dynamic days of 2012 seemed a distant memory.

Kirk Cousins was looking like a capable fill-in, but the season was looking like another lost cause. In late October, trailing Tampa Bay 24-0, staring at a likely 2-5 record heading into the bye week (with New England waiting on the other side) many were ready to give up.

Then it happened. The “YOU LIKE THAT?” game. Cousins brought WFT back from the dead against Tampa. And despite the expected loss to New England after the bye, WFT went 6-2 in the second half of the season, including four straight to end the year. Cousins threw for 365 yards and four TDs in the crucial Sunday night win over Philadelphia which clinched the playoffs.

It really looked for a minute like the team might have found its QB. But again, that’s another story.

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