Remembering when the Commanders last opened season with two road games

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When was the last time the Washington Commanders opened an NFL season with its first two games being on the road?

Well, it’s been over a decade, meaning they weren’t the Commanders then, but still the Washington Redskins. This is the 14th NFL season since Washington last opened the season with two road games.

It was 2012. What do you recall about that team? What do you recall about those first two road games opening the season?

  • The owner was of course, Daniel Snyder
  • Mike Shanahan was the head coach, his son in training, Kyle, was the offensive coordinator
  • Jim Haslett was the defensive coordinator
  • Chris Foerster (Offensive Line) Matt LaFleur (Quarterbacks), Mike McDaniel (Offensive Assistant), Sean McVay (Tight Ends), Raheem Morris (Secondary), Bob Slowik (Linebackers), Bobby Slowik (Defensive Assistant).
  • Bruce Allen was the General Manager/Team President.
  • Owner Daniel Snyder traded the then-St. Louis Rams‘ the No. 6 and No. 39 picks in the 2012 draft. Also in the trade were the No. 22 pick in the 2013 draft and the No 2 pick from the 2014 draft. All of these high selections went to the Rams, and the Redskins, in return, received the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft and selected quarterback Robert Griffin II.
  • Washington went to New Orleans and beat the Saints 40-32. Robert Griffin completed 19 of 26 for 320 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was a 139.9 and fellow rookie running back Alfred Morris rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns. WR Pierre Garcon turned a nice 20 yard reception into an 88 yard touchdown. He was only targeted four times but finished with 109 receiving yards.
  • Washington went to St. Louis in Week 2 to face the Rams. The Redskins jumped on the Rams early to lead 21-6. But they would blow their 15-point lead and lose 31-28. Late in the game, Josh Morgan caught a pass but then committed a horribly selfish dead-ball unsportsmanlike penalty, throwing the ball at an opponent. Pushed back 15 yards, Billy Cundiff had to attempt a 62-yard field goal instead of a 47-yarder.

So, the last time Washington started a season with two road games was 14 years ago in 2012, and the Redskins split those two road games, winning in New Orleans and losing in St. Louis after leading by 15 points.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Last time they opened with two road games

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