Three prime-time games, a matchup on foreign soil and a Thanksgiving Day tilt highlight the Washington Redskins’ schedule for the coming season as they come off of their 2015 NFC East title run.
The NFL on Thursday night released the slate for the 2016 season, and the league wasted no time putting Kirk Cousins & Co. in the national spotlight. Washington will open the season at home on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Week 8 trip to play the Cincinnati Bengals in London precedes a bye in Week 9. Two weeks later, the Redskins return to the national spotlight, hosting the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football in a rematch of last year’s first-round playoff pairing.
Week 15 features another nationally televised game as Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers visit Washington on Monday Night Football.
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The Redskins close out the season at home against the New York Giants.
Here’s a game-by-game breakdown of how the schedule shakes out.
Week 9 Bye, Sunday, Nov. 6
The Redskins return from their overseas trip and get a chance to catch their breath before kicking off the second half of the season.
Week 10 vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 13, 1 (Fox)
Adrian Peterson and Teddy Bridgewater come to town, and like the Redskins, the Vikings will try to build on last season’s success and reach the playoffs once again. Gruden faces another coaching friend in Mike Zimmer, who served as defensive coordinator in Cincinnati while Gruden directed the offense. This marks the Vikings’ first trip to Washington since the 2012 meeting that featured RGIII’s electrifying 76-yard touchdown run in a 38-26 Redskins victory.
Week 15 vs. Carolina Panthers, Monday, Dec. 19, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
The defending NFC champs come to town, giving Washington yet another tough test. Last season, in Charlotte, Cam Newton had his way with the Redskins, leading his team to a 44-16 victory. This game should serve as a good measuring stick for Washington. Have the offseason moves, and another year together in their respective systems, led to a significant leap forward for the Redskins? Or, are they still way behind this Super Bowl-contending team?
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