The 1996 Washington Redskins season was the ultimate NFL tease, a campaign defined by a blistering start that ultimately dissolved into a classic case of what-could-have-been. Entering head coach Norv Turner’s third year in charge, expectations were carefully optimistic for a franchise trying to recapture its Joe Gibbs-era swagger. The front office added pieces like guard Bob Dahl and veteran wide receiver Flipper Anderson to fortify the roster. Turner’s squad exploded out of the gate, winning seven of their first eight contests to look like a legitimate Super Bowl contender. However, a catastrophic mid-season collapse saw Washington drop six of their final eight games. They finished at 9-7, placing third in a brutal NFC East and narrowly missing the postseason on tiebreakers.

Washington’s offense was a highly productive unit, finishing the regular season ranked 8th in points scored with 364 (22.8 ppg) and 9th in total yards with 5,229. The attack was built on a ground approach, marshaled by 25-year-old quarterback Gus Frerotte, who grabbed the starting job over former first-round pick Heath Shuler. Frerotte started all 16 games, throwing for 3,453 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod despite tossing 11 interceptions. The undisputed motor of Turner’s offense, however, was running back Terry Allen. Allen was an absolute workhorse, carrying the rock 347 times for 1,353 yards and a league-leading 21 rushing touchdowns. Out wide, the ageless 35-year-old Henry Ellard remained incredibly efficient, racking up 1,014 yards on just 52 receptions, while tight end Jamie Asher chipped in with 42 catches.

The defensive side of the ball tells a completely different story, as Washington fielded an incredibly bend-but-don’t-break unit that ranked 13th in points allowed with 312 (19.5 ppg), but a dismal 28th in total yards surrendered. Opponents routinely chewed up yardage against a defensive front that ranked 30th against the run, giving up 2,275 rushing yards. Despite giving up massive chunks of real estate, individual playmakers kept the unit afloat. Defensive end Rich Owens enjoyed a breakout campaign, tormenting opposing quarterbacks with a team-high 11.0 sacks, while Pro Bowl linebacker Ken Harvey added 9.0 sacks coming off the edge. In the secondary, ageless cornerback Darrell Green continued to defy time with three interceptions, including a spectacular 68-yard pick-six, while corner Tom Carter led the secondary with five interceptions.

The trajectory of the season resembled a terrifying rollercoaster ride for the RFK Stadium faithful. The team’s scorching 7-1 start featured dominant division sweeps of the New York Giants and a thrilling 27-22 road victory over the eventual AFC champion New England Patriots. The wheels completely fell off in November, sparked by a devastating 38-13 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills that triggered six loses over the remaining eight games. The low point came during an agonizing overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals, where the defense surrendered an unbelievable 615 total yards. Further loses against the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers completed a catastrophic collapse, turning a guaranteed playoff ticket into a December scramble to save their season.

Missing out on January football made this season one of the most frustrating missed opportunities in franchise history. Washington became the first team since the 1986 Jets to start 7-1 and completely miss the playoffs, a legacy of collapse that haunted the late-90s Turner era. Still, individual accolades provided a silver lining. Punter Matt Turk earned first-team All-Pro honors after averaging 45.1 yards per punt, while dynamic return specialist Brian Mitchell racked up 1,995 all-purpose yards. Terry Allen earned second-team All-Pro recognition for his historic 21-touchdown campaign. The 1996 squad is remembered as a tantalizing collection of elite talent that simply could not put together a complete football season.