Washington Redskins 2012 Schedule: A Year of Highs and Lows
The 2012 season was a tumultuous one for the Washington Redskins, marked by a mix of thrilling victories and crushing defeats. The team's schedule, which featured a combination of tough divisional opponents and weaker interconference foes, played a significant role in shaping their campaign. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Redskins' 2012 schedule, highlighting the key matchups, trends, and storylines that defined their season.
The Redskins' 2012 schedule began on September 10 with a home game against the New Orleans Saints, a team they had defeated just a week earlier in the preseason. However, the Saints had other plans, and they handed the Redskins a 40-32 defeat in a game that saw quarterback Robert Griffin III make his NFL debut. Despite the loss, Griffin's impressive performance left many fans optimistic about the team's prospects for the season.
"We knew we were in for a tough game, but I think our guys played hard and gave it their all," said Redskins coach Mike Shanahan in the aftermath of the loss. "Robert Griffin III was a bright spot for us, and we're excited to see him continue to develop as a player."
As the season progressed, the Redskins faced a number of challenges, including a difficult stretch of games against some of the NFC East's top teams. In Week 3, they traveled to Dallas to face the Cowboys, who were coming off a thrilling 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. The game was a closely contested affair, with the Redskins ultimately emerging victorious 38-31.
The Redskins' offense was a major story of the 2012 season, with Griffin and his running back Alfred Morris leading the way. The two players combined for over 2,500 yards of total offense, with Griffin throwing for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns while Morris rushed for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Redskins' defense, however, struggled to find consistency throughout the season. Despite having some talented players, such as outside linebacker Brian Orakpo and safety LaRon Landry, they were often exploited by opposing offenses. In Week 5, they faced the Cincinnati Bengals, who exploited their weaknesses in a 38-31 win.
"We knew the Bengals were a tough team, and we didn't execute well enough to get the win," said Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett after the game. "We'll watch the film and try to make some adjustments for next week."
One of the highlights of the 2012 season was the Redskins' surprising 14-6 win over the New York Giants in Week 15. The game was a defensive battle, with the Redskins' defense holding the Giants' potent offense to just six points.
"The guys played great defense, and we got some big plays on special teams," said Shanahan after the game. "It was a great team effort, and we're proud of the way they played."
Despite the win, the Redskins ultimately finished the season with a 10-6 record, which was good enough to earn them a wild card spot in the playoffs. However, they were upset by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round, 31-6, marking the end of their season.
The 2012 season was a learning experience for the Redskins, who gained valuable experience and developed some key young players. Griffin, in particular, emerged as a star, and his performance earned him the NFL Rookie of the Year award.
"We're proud of the way the guys played, and we're looking forward to building on this season," said Shanahan after the game. "We've got some young players who are going to be with us for a long time, and we're excited to see how they develop."
In conclusion, the 2012 season was a mixed bag for the Washington Redskins, with some thrilling victories and crushing defeats. However, the team's schedule played a significant role in shaping their campaign, and they will look to build on the experience they gained this season as they move forward in 2013.
Key Matchups and Trends of the 2012 Season
* The Redskins' schedule featured 16 games, including 6 divisional matchups and 10 interconference games.
* The team played 4 games against teams with winning records in 2011, including the Saints, Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles.
* The Redskins also played 3 games against teams with losing records in 2011, including the Browns, Vikings, and Chargers.
* The team's schedule was relatively balanced, with 8 games at home and 8 games on the road.
Notable Stats and Milestones of the 2012 Season
* Robert Griffin III threw for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns, setting an NFL rookie record for passing yards.
* Alfred Morris rushed for 1,613 yards, becoming the first Redskins running back to reach 1,000 yards in a season since Clinton Portis in 2008.
* The Redskins' offense averaged 26.3 points per game, the third-highest total in the NFL.
* The team's defense allowed 23.5 points per game, the 14th-most in the NFL.
Quotes and Reflections from the 2012 Season
* "We knew we were in for a tough game, but I think our guys played hard and gave it their all." - Mike Shanahan
* "Robert Griffin III was a bright spot for us, and we're excited to see him continue to develop as a player." - Mike Shanahan
* "We knew the Bengals were a tough team, and we didn't execute well enough to get the win." - Jim Haslett
* "The guys played great defense, and we got some big plays on special teams." - Mike Shanahan
A Look Back at the 2012 Season
The 2012 season was a memorable one for the Washington Redskins, marked by thrilling victories and crushing defeats. Despite the ups and downs, the team gained valuable experience and developed some key young players, including quarterback Robert Griffin III. As they look to the future, the Redskins will rely on the lessons they learned in 2012 to build a successful season in 2013.
