2006 Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins had a more respectable season in 2005, reversing their previous win/loss record to finish the year with 10 wins and 6 losses. This positioned the 'Skins a notch below the New York Giants in the NFC East, but it did allow them into the NFL Playoffs, where they beat out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but succumbed to the Super-Bowl-bound Seattle Seahawks. The Redskins were at the top of the heap in one area, though: ticket sales. They led the entire NFL in attendance, with an astonishing average of 89,625 tickets sold per game!

The NFC has some of the fiercest rivalries and arguably the most depth of any NFL conference; that can also mean the most volatility. Can coach Joe Gibbs build on the momentum that carried the 'Skins from the a 5-6 record all the way to a spot in the playoffs? A lot depends on quarterback Mark Brunell, who had his momentum stymied at the halfway point last year. But he'll have support from Pro Bowler Santana Moss plus the addition of former Patriot Christian Fauria and former 49er Brandon Lloyd. Washington also retains one of the most highly rated secondaries in the NFL. Tickets go fast to Redskins' games, so why not call or click Coast to Coast Tickets today?

Some Washington Redskins history: George Preston Marshall founded the Redskins franchise in 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts, as the Boston Braves, sharing Braves Field with the Boston Braves baseball team. A year later, Marshall moved his team to Fenway Park and changed the team's name to the Redskins. The Redskins were not profitable, and even an Eastern Division championship in 1936 failed to excite Boston fans, so in 1937 Marshall moved the club to Washington, D.C.

The team found success in its new home. From 1936 to 1942 head coach Ray Flaherty led the Redskins to seven consecutive winning records and three appearances in the NFL Championship Game. Washington faced the Chicago Bears in all three contests, posting narrow victories in 1937 and 1942 and suffering a 73-0 defeat in 1940. During the 1937 title match Flaherty introduced the screen pass.

The Redskins suffered a 25-season playoff drought from 1946 through 1970, posting just four winning records and changing head coaches 11 times during that span. Noteworthy individual achievements during this period included wide receiver Bobby Mitchell's yardage championships in 1962 and 1963 and league-leading performances in 1966 and 1967 by quarterback Sonny Jurgensen and wide receiver Charley Taylor.

In 1971 former Los Angeles Rams coach George Allen took over as head coach of the Redskins. He dramatically reshaped the team through a series of trades for seasoned veteran players. The retooled Redskins, known as the Over the Hill Gang, recorded nine victories, the most by a Washington team in 29 years. In his seven seasons with the club, Allen produced seven winning records, five playoff appearances, and one trip to the Super Bowl. Washington's Super Bowl appearance was in 1973, when the Miami Dolphins defeated them 14-7.

In 1981 former San Diego Chargers assistant coach Joe Gibbs was hired to improve the Redskins' passing game. In his 12 seasons as Washington's head coach, Gibbs delivered ten winning records, eight playoff appearances, and three Super Bowl championships. Washington defeated Miami 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII, led by John Riggins's Super Bowl-record 166 rushing yards. The following year they returned to the Super Bowl but lost to the Los Angeles Raiders 38-9. At Super Bowl XXII in 1988, the Redskins beat the Denver Broncos 42-10.

In 1991 Gibbs assembled one of the most explosive offensive units in NFL history. Quarterback Mark Rypien led the NFC in yardage, and running back Earnest Byner and wide receivers Gary Clark and Art Monk each topped the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Washington also fielded the second-toughest defensive unit in the league. After the season the Redskins routed the Buffalo Bills 37-24 in Super Bowl XXVI.