2011 Washington Redskins season
The 2011 season was the Washington Redskins' 80th in the National Football League and their 75th representing the District of Columbia. Their home games were played at FedExField in Landover, Maryland for the 15th consecutive year. The Redskins failed to improve on their 2010 record of 6–10, meaning they finished last in the NFC East, but did manage to sweep the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the regular season, becoming only the sixth team to do so. They would be joined by the 2020 New Orleans Saints and the 2021 San Francisco 49ers.
The season is also notable for being the first of three Redskins seasons to include four future head coaches on the coaching staff: Kyle Shanahan, Matt LaFleur, Sean McVay and Mike McDaniel.
Offseason
2011 NFL draft
The Redskins finished the 2010 season with a record of 6–10 and will be picking 6th overall.Transactions involving 2011 draft picks
- The Redskins traded their first-round selection to the Jacksonville Jaguars for its first-round selection and a second-round selection.
- The Redskins traded their third-round selection and a 2012 conditional sixth-round selection to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for T Jammal Brown and a fifth-round selection.
- The Redskins traded their fourth-round selection and a 2010 second-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for QB Donovan McNabb.
- The Redskins acquired a seventh-round selection in a trade that sent CB Justin Tryon to the Indianapolis Colts.
- The Redskins received a seventh-round compensatory pick.
Preseason
Schedule
The Redskins' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011. It was finalized on April 19, 2011.Regular season
Schedule
'''LEGEND:'''Game summaries
Week 1: vs. New York Giants
The Redskins opened the 2011 season at home against their division rival the New York Giants, on the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington D.C.With the win, the Redskins started their season at 1–0.
Week 2: vs. Arizona Cardinals
With the win, the Redskins improved to 2–0. This would be the last time the team would win a game at home until hosting the Minnesota Vikings during the middle of the 2012 season.Week 3: at Dallas Cowboys
Coming off their home win over the Cardinals, the Redskins flew to Cowboys Stadium for a Week 3 NFC East duel with the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. Washington threw the game's opening punch in the first quarter with a 46-yard field goal from kicker Graham Gano. The Cowboys answered with kicker Dan Bailey getting a 41-yard field goal, while the Redskins replied with Gano's 27-yard field goal. Dallas would take the lead in the second quarter as Bailey made a 27-yard and a 32-yard field goal, yet the Redskins closed out the half with Gano's 50-yard field goal.Washington began the third quarter with quarterback Rex Grossman finding running back Tim Hightower on a 1-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys would end the third quarter with Bailey making a 41-yard field goal. Dallas regained the lead in the fourth quarter with Bailey booting a 23-yard and a 40-yard field goal. The 'Skins tried to rally, but the Cowboys' defense held on to preserve the win.
With the loss, the Redskins fell to 2–1.
Week 4: at St. Louis Rams
With the win, the Redskins went into their bye week at 3–1.Week 6: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
With the loss, the Redskins fell to 3–2.Week 7: at Carolina Panthers
With the loss, the Redskins fell to 3–3.Week 8: at Buffalo Bills
Bills Toronto SeriesWith the loss, the Redskins fell to 3–4.