Ranking the Past 20 Redskins Seasons

[kleese]

I enjoy these historical look-back threads in the off-season even if this one is a fairly painful retrospective. Decided I would take the past 20 years of Redskins football and rank the seasons from 1-20. Here is my criteria:

Not based soley on record or how far the team advanced:

--Results vs. Expectations for the year

--Enjoyment level during the season as a fan

--How I felt about the organization once the season ended

Here goes, in descending order:

20. 2009 (4-12): Absolute rock bottom for me. I didn't have a ton of hope entering Zorn's second year, but I didn't expect that level of misery. Team looked awful from game one and never improved. Some real low lights would include an excruciating loss at home to the Chiefs and some late-season debacles against the Giants and Cowboys that included the infamous "swinging gate." Also a low point off the field with the Sherman Lewis bingo fiasco, etc. Nothing redeeming about the whole season; can't get worse. Felt hopeless as it ended.

19. 2003 (5-11): Very similar to 2009 with the exception that we got off to a good start. But by mid-season Spurrier had packed it in and it was clear he would be gone. I really thought Spurrier had the goods and I forgave Snyder for the Marty thing because I felt Spurrier was worth the risk. But Spurrier just didn't care and I'll never respect him again because of it. By the time that season ended (with some brutal losses, notably 27-0 to Dallas) I had lost all hope.

18. 1998 (6-10): I was close to giving up on Norv in 1997, but entering 1998 I still thought he had a chance. Then, we start 0-7. That seven game stretch was as hard of period to be a fan as there has ever been. We suffered trough two painful near-misses in 1996 and 1997...for what? An 0-7 start? Yes, once Trent Green took over we played much better, but even then we lost a shootout to Arizona when it looked like we might really turn it around. The opener in the Meadowlands set the tone for the year. Miserable.

17. 1997 (8-7-1): As horrible as a contending season can get. We were right in the thick of things until the end when the Giants pummeled us in NY with the division on the line. But by that time, the life had already been sucked out of a promising year. We lost a heartbreaker in Dallas, got run over by Bam Morris and Amp Lee in upset home losses, and suffered all the indignities of the Sunday Night tie game with the Giants (which would rank first on my list of my painful/frustrating games of the last twenty years). Oh, and 1997 season was also the year of the infamous Romeo Bandison incident. When I have nightmares, the 1997 Redskin season is usually involved. Freakin Norv.

16. 1993 (4-12): Poor Petitbone. At that point I just thought it was my birthright as a fan to enjoy Redskins playoff runs. I was disappointed Gibbs was gone, but figured Petitbone would step in and keep it rolling. I should have been more observant the year before as our roster deteriorated. I actually attended one of our four wins that year (in Tampa) but the season was long gone by then. It was a punch in the gut season.

15. 1994 (3-13): Expectations for the year were very low, while expectations for Norv were very high. We weren't competitive at any point that year and it's hard to enjoy

a season much under those circumstances. I made my one and only trip to RFK that year which has fueled my belief that the stadium has nothing to do with our aura or struggles--RFK was quiet and half empty by the third quarter that day. No real atmosphere or excitement. Three years removed from a SB and the fans had already more or less bailed emotionally--five

years before we knew who Snyder was.

14. 2006 (5-11): Such high hopes and such disappointing results. I thought going in we'd be serious contenders, but opening the season with losses to Minnesota and Dallas was a real red flag. It never got much better. We had the dramatic OT win vs Jax and the Hand

Of God game, but even that game doesn't rank high with me because it really didn't matter by then. Out of it by early November in a year I thought we'd compete for the NFC. Lost a lot of faith and enthusiasm for Gibbs 2.0 as well.

13. 1995 (6-10): A semi-enjoyable year as the Redskins made strides from 2004. Still, suffered several painful losses, notably an OT loss in Philly that I happened to be at. Another year out of the race early, but we did sweep Dallas and I felt decent about our propects for 1996 ms beyond.

12. 2010 (6-10): At 5-5, things were looking OK, but it was still clear

at that point that McNabb was not the answer and than we'd made a mistake with that deal, which sort of colored the entire perception of the season and Shanny's first year. We did have some nice wins against Green Bay and at Chicago and a pretty thrilling win in Tennessee. Also had the dreadful experience of the Monday Night massacre versus Philly. Not a good year, but a somewhat tolerable one as I saw some things from Shanny I liked.

11. 2002 (7-9): You know, I was fairly encouraged by Spurrier's first attempt. Despite being really talent deficient, I thought we were generally a smart team that played pretty hard and surprised people a bit with our offense.

10. 2008 (8-8): A tale of two seasons. My expectations were extremely low for Zorn, but after that awesome four game run early in the season I really started to think maybe we'd lucked into a coaching gem. Jason Campbell looked so sharp, Portis was an MVP candidate and we were 4-1 and looking good. Then, the Rams game (I was there). After that, even though we eventually got to 6-2, nothing seemed the same. Then, much like the Norv teams in the 90's, we only needed 1-2 wins to make the playoffs down th stretch, but couldn't get any of them. Given one last chance to matter in Cincinnati, we lost, capping off a really miserable

end to a once promising year.

9. 2011 (5-11): Overall, I was encouraged. Disappointed we fell apart after the 3-1 start, but for the first time in 20 years I see a real philosophical shift within the organization that manifested itself with several young players stepping up and playing well. Very competitive late in th year against some good teams and the win in NY was a nice surprise. Overall, content with the direction.

8. 2004 (6-10): Our offense was barely watchable that year, but our defense was stellar. More importantly, Gibbs was back and it all seemed so fresh and exciting. I was never more content with double digit losses than I was that year.

7. 2001 (8-8): Slightly overrated year by many Redskins fans. I wasn't as in love with Marty as most were. All the 5-0 run did for me was erase the 0-5 start. Never will understand why people don't mention those next six games? Given a great opportunity, we blew it at home against a terrible Cowboys team and followed it up with two more home losses (Eagles and Bears) when the playoffs were still in play. We were eliminated from the playoffs at 6-8 before winning our last two games. I thought losing Marty after the year was odd, but I have never lamented the fact that he was gone.

6. 1996 (9-7): Of the painful years under Norv when the Redskins choked things away, this one was the least frustrating because it was the first. Started the year 7-1... And you had to feel good about that. How do you start 7-1 and actually not only miss the playoffs, but get eliminated from contention before week 16? Well, you can start by giving up

522 yards passing to an ancient Boomer Esiason. That game still gnaws at me. Despite a horrible ending, 1996 still felt like a step in the right direction.

5. 2007 (9-7): The entire year is clouded by the death of Sean Taylor; hard to separate that incident from anything regarding the season. At the midpoint, I was disappointed in our play, then ST was killed and I was downtrodden about it all. Then, the four game streak happens and renews hope. That run was fun...and there was a moment there in th Seattle playoff game...when we recovered the kickoff after taking a lead...when I had visions of winning it all. I saw Gibbs pulling one final miracle. Then, Cooley dropped the pass, we missed the FG, and it was all over.

4. 2000 (8-8): No doubt this will be the one on the list that draws the most raised eyebrows as I know some consider it rock bottom. But I believe that season is wildly misunderstood. The moves we made that year worked; Norv just messed it all up. The majority of our spending was on defense and went from 31st in 1999 to 4th in 2000. Our defense played well and contrary to popular belief, even Deion was effective--winning a game for us with an OT punt return versus Tampa and also giving us a chance to win in Arizona in a game we ultimately choked away. We were 6-2 at the midpoint and I remember Peter King writing in SI that he thought we'd win it all after watching us through 8 games. What no one remembers is how bad Brad Johnson was and how stubborn Norv was with sticking with him. People blame signing Jeff George as a downfall for that team, but I believe to this day had George started the season as the starter or replaced BJ earlier, that the Redskins win the division- maybe easily. The Giants went to the SB that year, but we were better. We beat them in NY handily and had Norv inserted George at halftime our game with them in DC (instead of the 4th quarter) I think we win that game as well. But after that loss, Norv got axed and the team fell apart, suffering an embarrassing end to the season. But I will always believe that the 2000 team had what it took, but the under-performing QB and stubborn coach derailed it.

3. 1999 (10-6): We got VERY lucky that year, but given this 20 year history, I certainly enjoyed and appreciated a division title. We didn't beat a team with a winning record all year (save Miami in week 17 when the game was meaningless). And TWO 8-8 teams made the playoffs in the NFC that year. Bottom line, the conference and division sucked and we just sort of floated along and won it. We lost every game that year when we had a chance to really

make a mark. Having said that, being a FG away from the NFC Championship game

was still pretty nice. Again, after a great five game run to open the season and a fantastic game

in SF to clinch the division, I was unimpressed with Brad Johnson. He was putrid in the playoffs against Tampa and his bonehead INT to Lynch in that game was the play that turned the tide.

2. 1992 (9-7): A struggle all year...We battled injuries, close losses, blowout losses, etc but kept fighting. That team was going on hearts and guts come December and January-- a wounded champ battling to stay alive. They did just that in what remains my all time favorite regular season win--the Aikman end zone fumble game at RFK. That was the last time the stands rocked there and I will never forget that game. I even remember what I had for dinner that night after the game ended It was the last great moment of the glory years. I loved the 1992 team. The playoff win in Minnesota vindicated our hard work... And I can still see the ball on the grass in Candlestick the next week... Rypien and Mitchell flubbed the hand off when we were driving to take the lead... In a way, 20 years later, the Redskins have yet to recover that fumble.

1. 2005 (10-6): In twenty years, this is truly the only really good team we've had. Even this team gave us heartburn with their mid-season meltdown, but the thrilling five game run to end the year was a thing of beauty. It's a shame

Brunell and Portis got banged up heading into the playoffs... Our offense really lost it's punch by that Seattle game. The 2005 team was the one team in which I was truly confident. I woke up in December and January thinking we'd win... And until Seattle, I was right! One year in twenty ain't bad, right?

[scruffylookin]

92 is way too NFL Filmsy. Their "December guts" resulted in losses in Philly and then at home to a bad Raiders team. Then we had to wait and hope a young Packers team, not quite ready, lose to Minnesota for us to back into the playoffs. At least 99, 05 and 07 we won our way in.

To me it's 99 and 05 neck and neck. Then 92 and 07 with the nod to 92 because of the playoff upset of Minnesota.

1. 1999

2. 2005

3. 1992

4. 2007

5. 1996

[CommanderDOOM]

...'then Cooley dropped the pass'... what a year.

[CrypticVillain]

2006 should be number 20. We were supposed to kill that season and we took two steps back. :doh: 1996 is also to high as well. We started off 7-1 and lost 6 out of eight. Honestly, I will put 2011 in its spot. We will look back on this year as when things finally started to click.

[kleese]

92 is way too NFL Filmsy. Their "December guts" resulted in losses in Philly and then at home to a bad Raiders team. Then we had to wait and hope a young Packers team, not quite ready, lose to Minnesota for us to back into the playoffs. At least 99, 05 and 07 we won our way in.

To me it's 99 and 05 neck and neck. Then 92 and 07 with the nod to 92 because of the playoff upset of Minnesota.

1. 1999

2. 2005

3. 1992

4. 2007

5. 1996

Losing to the Raiders in 1992 was bad, but losing to Philly actually benefited us, IMO. Had we won we would have gone to New Orleans as opposed to Minnesota and the Saints drubbed us that year 20-3; didn't like our potential rematch chances there.

[Califan007 The Constipated]

Your list needs pictures lol ...

Pretty much agree with all the rankings...I would flip #8 and #7, though, if only because Gibbs return was one million percent more enjoyable than anything that happened during Marty's season as head coach, even with a poorer record (and I agree, too many over-romanticize that season).

[Redskins4ever]

The Redskins have only had six winning seasons in the last twenty years(1992 9-7 1996 9-7 1997 8-7-1 1999 10-6 2005 10-6 2007 9-7). In my most humble opinion, the 1999 team was the best of those teams. That 1999 team not only played consistently during that season, but they won the NFC East and also won a wild card game.

[fuji869]

The 2005 Season was the closest thing we have had since the Joe Gibbs Glory Days of the 1980 & Early 1990s and who was our coach that season? It was Joe Gibbs! It was so sweet to sweep both the Cowboys and Eagles in the same season!

[frankez99]

kleese, threads like yours are the reason I come to ES. Awesome, albeit depressing, work. :helmet:

[kleese]

The Redskins have only had six winning seasons in the last twenty years(1992 9-7 1996 9-7 1997 8-7-1 1999 10-6 2005 10-6 2007 9-7). In my most humble opinion, the 1999 team was the best of those teams. That 1999 team not only played consistently during that season, but they won the NFC East and also won a wild card game.

Disagree-- I think the 1992 and 2005 teams definitley beat the 99 team head to head and I think the 2007 and even 2000 team would have had a shot as well. 1999 = fun season for fans, but an overrated team that sort of fell bass akwards into a division title

[chipwhich]

Disagree-- I think the 1992 and 2005 teams definitley beat the 99 team head to head and I think the 2007 and even 2000 team would have had a shot as well. 1999 = fun season for fans, but an overrated team that sort of fell bass akwards into a division title

Meh, Michael Westbrook and Albert Connell had career years, and it wasn't because we had a soft schedule. They actually looked for one year to be legit talent.

I still think Marty dumping Larry Centers was the downfall of his season (not that it was 1999).

Larry Centers was a BEAST.

[FSUSkins24]

Just wanted to say thanks to Califan and Kleese for these past 20 years OPs. Although very depressing, it's nice to have something to talk/read about other than the Draft/QB situation at the beginning of January.

Gotta have pics though!

[Rypien1191]

If Turk doesn't botch the snap, we could have slowed down the Rams....

If Hall doesn't miss the kick, we might have beat Seattle and definitely could have beaten Carolina.

If Cooley doesn't drop that pass, there's no WAY we would have lost to Dallas and the freakin Giants wouldn't have won that Super Bowl.

[terryb101]

Disagree-- I think the 1992 and 2005 teams definitley beat the 99 team head to head and I think the 2007 and even 2000 team would have had a shot as well. 1999 = fun season for fans, but an overrated team that sort of fell bass akwards into a division title

not much to choose from is it

[SkinsHokieFan]

One correction

The Romeo Bandison facemask was in 1996 against the Cardinals, not 1997

Other wise, fantastic list, I pretty much concur

[AsiaticSkinsFan]

so many disappointing seasons but 1996 really gnaws at me. Me and my Skins friends just call it 7-1 season.

You get mad at Romeo Bandison and that facemask in the Cardinals game. I think of that former Cowboy Scott Galbraith and his holding penalty that negated a GW field goal in that game. It pushed weak legged Scott Blanton back another 10 yards and he predictably missed the field goal.

Zorn's last season was very depressing tho, so its a draw between those two.

Best season was 1999, even tho that was a lucky year too. Hosted a playoff game, had an exciting offense, cheap dominos pizza, and Stephen Davis became a premier back. That year was awesome when looking back on it.

Its amazing that the Redskins have been one of the bottom 4 or 5 franchises in the NFL over the last 20 years.

[Dark Acre]

The blessing of being 44 is being old enough to enjoy Gibbs I from game #6 on.

[ddub52]

I was at both the 99 and 05 playoff games in Tampa Bay. That 05 win felt like a long time coming after that 99 loss.

[Darth Tater]

1999 was really the best season in the last 20 years, especially since most didn't seem to expect it. I did think it would happen. It along with 2005 are pretty much the only years I was dead right about the results. I kind of liked 1995 because it seemed we were tracking with my expectations (1994 I expected to suck, 1995 we were competitive as I expected). Until things fell apart in 1996, I also thought we were tracking nicely (expected playoffs but only a long shot at the SB).

[JerseyGator]

Largely the results of not have a GM (see Raiders and Cowboys).

[Andre The Giant]

Great write up. Thanks for posting this Kleese. I could spend a couple hours talking about this list. I'm partial to 2005 over 1999, partly because I like Gibbs way better than Turner / Casserly. Also the 2005 team was much tougher (most underrated aspect of Gibbs 2.0).

Looking at those Casserly years reminds me of how many draft picks / free agents he botched. Most overrated GM ever...

[Redskins4ever]

Disagree-- I think the 1992 and 2005 teams definitley beat the 99 team head to head and I think the 2007 and even 2000 team would have had a shot as well. 1999 = fun season for fans, but an overrated team that sort of fell bass akwards into a division title

The 1992 team was the last team during Gibbs I to make the playoffs. They were okay, but they finished third in the division behind Cowboys and Eagles who won a few more games that season. The 2005 team played very hard all year, but needed to win five straight games coming from 5-6 to finish 10-6 in order to make the 6th seed of the playoffs. the 2005 Redskins practically limped into the playoffs. Despite a wildcard win, they got trounced a week later against a superior Seahawks team. The 2007 team you mentioned was a lot like the 2005 Redskins. They limped into the playoffs from a losing record(5-7) and finished 9-7 to make a 6th seed. They were easily handled by those same Seahawks in the wildcard game. While the 1999 team had one of the worst defenses in the NFL, the offense led by Brad Johnson finished 2nd in the NFL in total yards. Michael Westbrook and Albert Connell each had over 1,000 yards receiving and Larry Centers had 80 receptions. Stephen Davis also had 17 rushing TDs and over 1400 yards running the ball in 1999.

The 1999 team was easily better than the 1992 team, the 2005 team, and the 2007 teams combined.

[AsiaticSkinsFan]

The 1992 team was the last team during Gibbs I to make the playoffs. They were okay, but they finished third in the division behind Cowboys and Eagles who won a few more games that season. The 2005 team played very hard all year, but needed to win five straight games coming from 5-6 to finish 10-6 in order to make the 6th seed of the playoffs. the 2005 Redskins practically limped into the playoffs. Despite a wildcard win, they got trounced a week later against a superior Seahawks team. The 2007 team you mentioned was a lot like the 2005 Redskins. They limped into the playoffs from a losing record(5-7) and finished 9-7 to make a 6th seed. They were easily handled by those same Seahawks in the wildcard game. While the 1999 team had one of the worst defenses in the NFL, the offense led by Brad Johnson finished 2nd in the NFL in total yards. Michael Westbrook and Albert Connell each had over 1,000 yards receiving and Larry Centers had 80 receptions. Stephen Davis also had 17 rushing TDs and over 1400 yards running the ball in 1999.

The 1999 team was easily better than the 1992 team, the 2005 team, and the 2007 teams combined.

hold on, the 2005 team did not limp into the playoffs. Winning 5 straight games is not limping. Not only that, but Seattle didnt trounce that team in the playoffs. If Brunnell completes that pass to Santana in the endzone, its 20 to 17 with a little over a minute left in the game.'

I am not arguing the 2005 team was great, but it wasnt a weak team either.

[Darth Tater]

hold on, the 2005 team did not limp into the playoffs. Winning 5 straight games is not limping. Not only that, but Seattle didnt trounce that team in the playoffs. If Brunnell completes that pass to Santana in the endzone, its 20 to 17 with a little over a minute left in the game.'

I am not arguing the 2005 team was great, but it wasnt a weak team either.

The big thing I remember in that game was Rogers dropping an pick-6 that would have put us in the lead 10-0 at the half. I agree that we definitely did not limp in as to limp in we would be like if we had clinched a spot and then lost those last 5 regular season games.

[Redskins4ever]

hold on, the 2005 team did not limp into the playoffs. Winning 5 straight games is not limping. Not only that, but Seattle didnt trounce that team in the playoffs. If Brunnell completes that pass to Santana in the endzone, its 20 to 17 with a little over a minute left in the game.'

I am not arguing the 2005 team was great, but it wasnt a weak team either.

If the team was 5-6, and they had to win five straight games in order to qualify for a lowly 6th seed in the post season, then that means they hobbled into the playoffs. The 2005 team lost some close games against the AFC west in particular. Five of those losses that season did come against the KC Chiefs, Mike Shanahan's Broncos, the Raiders, and the Chargers. Those were all very close games that the Redskins played hard in. I give them credit for being a very competitive team that year. But in my opinion if a NFL team has to go on a winning streak from a losing record in order to qualify for the playoffs and they succeed, then that means they barley qualified for post season.