Redskins Defy the Odds by Staying Unbeaten During Bye Weeks

Despite going into the bye week with as much turmoil as any professional football franchise in the league this year, the Washington Redskins have managed to extend their unbeaten streak during bye weeks to 20 straight games.

The 20-0 record during bye weeks ties the Redskins for the best record during bye weeks in the NFL.

Controversy has surrounded the Redskins this year.  Going into the bye there were many experts who doubted whether the Redskins could stay unbeaten for the 20th year in a row.

Despite Jim Zorn’s poor record during his tenure as head coach, he extends his unbeaten streak to two games during the bye.  This is the first week that the Redskins have not lost since Sherm Lewis took over play calling duties for Zorn, so much of the credit should be given to his positive new influence.

Both coaches and players echoed Redskin management’s sentiments that the bye week was a week that the team could not afford to lose.  Despite a record low in team morale, the Redskins pulled together this week, the way true professionals should.

This week should undoubtedly bring the team momentum as it seeks to beat the Atlanta Falcons next weekend.

The Redskins are 11-8 following a bye week.  However their record against non-division foes is much better. They are 7-3 against non division opponents, while only 4-5 in games against division foes.

Despite the Redskins’ consistency during the bye week, Jim Zorn has urged Redskin fans not to get too confident.  He warned reporters present at his weekly news conference on Monday that it is much harder to achieve positive results after a bye week than during it.