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2016 Washington Redskins season

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2016 Washington Redskins season
OwnerDaniel Snyder
General managerScot McCloughan
PresidentBruce Allen
Head coachJay Gruden
Offensive coordinatorSean McVay
Defensive coordinatorJoe Barry
Home fieldFedExField
Local radioESPN 980 WTEM
Results
Record8–7–1
Division place3rd NFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersLB Ryan Kerrigan
TE Jordan Reed
G Brandon Scherff
T Trent Williams
QB Kirk Cousins
Uniform

The 2016 Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 85th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 20th playing their home games at FedExField and the third under head coach Jay Gruden.

The season saw the Redskins play in London for the first time in franchise history, where they tied the Cincinnati Bengals 27–27.

After a disappointing loss in the final week to the New York Giants, the Redskins were eliminated from playoff contention. Despite missing the playoffs, the Redskins finished the season with a record of 8–7–1, which was the first consecutive winning seasons for the team since the 1996 and 1997 seasons. Along with the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington was the only team in 2016 that played seven regular-season games against teams that would reach the playoffs: four games combined against the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants, games against the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions (as the NFC North was the only division besides the NFC East to send more than one team to the 2016 postseason) and a game against the sole AFC North 2016 playoff team (the Pittsburgh Steelers); the Redskins' 2–5 record in these contests was a major reason they did not return to the playoffs. This is the last time that the team finished with a winning record as the Redskins, and their last until 2024, by which point they were known as the Commanders.

Offseason changes

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Free agency

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All 2015 contracts expired to coincide with the beginning of the 2016 NFL League Year at 4:00 EDT on March 9, 2016. However, before that date, all teams had until March 1 to place the franchise tag on a player, and could begin negotiations with a player's agent on March 7.

Waivers and releases

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On March 8, the Redskins released S Dashon Goldson, DE Jason Hatcher, QB Robert Griffin III, and S Jeron Johnson.

On April 14, the Redskins waived OLB Jackson Jeffcoat.

Team re-signings/contract extensions

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Date Player Position Contract Type Notes
March 1 Kirk Cousins QB Franchise Tag 2016 salary worth $19.953 million
March 9 Colt McCoy QB Extension Signed 2 yr, $15m contract with $6.75m guaranteed
Duke Ihenacho S RFA
Mason Foster LB UFA Signed 2 yr, $3.5m contract with $1.8m guaranteed
Kedric Golston DE UFA
March 11 Logan Paulsen TE UFA
March 12 Tress Way P RFA Signed 5 yr, $7.59m contract with $2.95m guaranteed
March 15 Will Blackmon FS UFA
March 16 Junior Galette OLB UFA Signed 1 yr, $1.6m contract
Josh LeRibeus C UFA
March 17 Chris Thompson RB UFA

Free agency transactions

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Date Player Position Previous Team New Team Notes
March 9 Robert Griffin III QB Washington Redskins Cleveland Browns Signed 2 yr, $15m contract with $6.75m guaranteed
Tom Compton G Washington Redskins Atlanta Falcons
Alfred Morris RB Washington Redskins Dallas Cowboys Signed 2 yr, $3.5m contract with $1.8m guaranteed
Keenan Robinson ILB Washington Redskins New York Giants
Terrence Knighton DT Washington Redskins New England Patriots
Frank Kearse DE Washington Redskins New England Patriots
March 11 Kendall Reyes DE San Diego Chargers Washington Redskins
March 15 David Bruton SS Denver Broncos Washington Redskins Signed 3 yr, $9.15m contract with $3.4m guaranteed
March 17 Terrence Garvin ILB Pittsburgh Steelers Washington Redskins
March 31 Vernon Davis TE Denver Broncos Washington Redskins Signed 1 yr, $2.4m contract with $1.1m guaranteed
April 14 Greg Toler CB Indianapolis Colts Washington Redskins
Jackson Jeffcoat OLB/DE Washington Redskins Cleveland Browns
April 18 Cody Booth OLB Jacksonville Jaguars Washington Redskins
April 22 Josh Norman CB Carolina Panthers Washington Redskins Signed 5 yr, $75m contract with $36.5m guaranteed

Draft

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Main article: 2016 NFL Draft

The 2016 NFL Draft occurred from April 28 to April 30, 2016. Going into the draft, the Redskins had eight selections, two of which were from another team: the additional seventh-round (#232) selection from the Dashon Goldson trade in 2015 and a sixth-round selection (#187) from the New Orleans Saints (the Redskins sent their sixth-round selection to Tampa Bay as part of the Goldson trade).

During the draft, the Redskins swapped first-round selections (#21 for #22) with the Houston Texans in exchange for their 2017 sixth-round selection, traded their 2016 fourth round selection (#120) to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for the Saints' fifth-round selections in 2016 (#152) and 2017, and traded their fifth-round selection (#158) to the New York Jets in exchange for their 2017 fourth-round selection.

2016 Washington Redskins Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 22 Josh Doctson WR TCU
2 53 Su'a Cravens ILB USC
3 84 Kendall Fuller CB Virginia Tech
4 120 Selection traded to the New Orleans Saints
5 152 Matt Ioannidis DE Temple
6 187 Nate Sudfeld QB Indiana
7 232 Steven Daniels LB Boston College
7 242 Keith Marshall RB Georgia

Undrafted free agents

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After the draft, the Redskins signed 14 undrafted college free agents to the team as part of the off season roster:[1]

Player Position College
Tevin Carter S Utah
Michael Cooper TE Indiana
Reginald Diggs WR Richmond
Ejiro Ederaine LB Fresno State
Joe Gore OT Clemson
Maurice Harris WR Cal
Dominick Jackson OT Alabama
Joe Kerridge FB Michigan
Anthony Lanier DE Alabama A&M
Geno Matias-Smith DB Alabama
Shiro Davis LB Texas
Robert Kelley RB Tulane
Valdez Showers WR Florida

Staff

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2016 Washington Redskins staff

Front office

  • Owner – Daniel Snyder
  • President – Bruce Allen
  • General Manager – Scot McCloughan
  • Personnel Executive – Doug Williams
  • Vice President of football administration/General Counsel – Eric Schaffer
  • Director of player personnel – Scott Campbell
  • Director of pro personnel – Alex Santos
  • Director of football operations – Paul Kelly
  • Director of Sports Medicine – Robin West

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Director of player development – Malcolm Blacken
  • Head strength and conditioning – Mike Clark
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Chad Englehart
  • Assistant strength and conditioning/nutritionist – Jake Sankal


Final roster

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2016 Washington Redskins roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 12 reserve, 10 practice squad

Schedule

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Preseason

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 11 at Atlanta Falcons L 17–23 0–1 Georgia Dome Recap
2 August 19 New York Jets W 22–18 1–1 FedExField Recap
3 August 26 Buffalo Bills W 21–16 2–1 FedExField Recap
4 August 31[A] at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 20–13 3–1 Raymond James Stadium Recap

Regular season

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 12 Pittsburgh Steelers L 16–38 0–1 FedExField Recap
2 September 18 Dallas Cowboys L 23–27 0–2 FedExField Recap
3 September 25 at New York Giants W 29–27 1–2 MetLife Stadium Recap
4 October 2 Cleveland Browns W 31–20 2–2 FedExField Recap
5 October 9 at Baltimore Ravens W 16–10 3–2 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
6 October 16 Philadelphia Eagles W 27–20 4–2 FedExField Recap
7 October 23 at Detroit Lions L 17–20 4–3 Ford Field Recap
8 October 30 at Cincinnati Bengals T 27–27 (OT) 4–3–1 Wembley Stadium (London, England) Recap
9 Bye
10 November 13 Minnesota Vikings W 26–20 5–3–1 FedExField Recap
11 November 20 Green Bay Packers W 42–24 6–3–1 FedExField Recap
12 November 24 at Dallas Cowboys L 26–31 6–4–1 AT&T Stadium Recap
13 December 4 at Arizona Cardinals L 23–31 6–5–1 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
14 December 11 at Philadelphia Eagles W 27–22 7–5–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
15 December 19 Carolina Panthers L 15–26 7–6–1 FedExField Recap
16 December 24 at Chicago Bears W 41–21 8–6–1 Soldier Field Recap
17 January 1 New York Giants L 10–19 8–7–1 FedExField Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

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Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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Week One: Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 14 101438
Redskins 6 0 3716

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

The Redskins entered this Week 1 matchup against the Steelers having lost five consecutive games against Pittsburgh dating back to 1991. They scored an average of 8.2 points per game in those five losses. The Redskins' 22-point defeat was their worst in a Week 1 game in 15 years. It was also their worst opening day home loss since 1966.[3]

The Redskins defense had a very hard time containing DeAngelo Williams as he exploded for 143 rushing yards and the Steelers explosive receiving corps of Antonio Brown and Eli Rogers who would go on to have strong performances.

Week 2: vs. Dallas Cowboys

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Week Two: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 10 3 7727
Redskins 0 10 13023

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

Week 3: at New York Giants

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Week Three: Washington Redskins at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 6 10 7629
Giants 14 7 3327

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

With the win, the Redskins improved 1-2 and won at MetLife Stadium for the first time since 2011.

Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns

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Week Four: Cleveland Browns at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 17 3020
Redskins 14 3 01431

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

Week 5: at Baltimore Ravens

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Week Five: Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 6 0 10016
Ravens 7 3 0010

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

Week 6: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

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Week Six: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 14 0620
Redskins 7 14 3327

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 78,934
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 7: at Detroit Lions

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Week Seven: Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 3 01417
Lions 0 3 71020

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

The Redskins rallied with a late touchdown run by Cousins, but the Lions responded with Matthew Stafford throwing the game winner to Anquan Boldin, thus ending the Redskins winning streak.

Week 8: at Cincinnati Bengals

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NFL International Series

Week Eight: Washington Redskins at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Redskins 7 3 710027
Bengals 7 0 137027

at Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m. BST/9:30 a.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 84,488
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Detroit Lions, the Redskins played in the third and final game of the year in London against the Cincinnati Bengals. With a few minutes left in overtime, Dustin Hopkins missed a game-winning field goal and allowed the Bengals to take over. After that, Bengals' Andy Dalton fumbled and allowed the Redskins to take back the ball. A Hail Mary attempt failed, making the Redskins tie for the first time since 1997 when they tied 7–7 against the Giants.

Week 10: vs. Minnesota Vikings

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Week Ten: Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 20 0020
Redskins 7 7 6626

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

After their tie against the Bengals and their bye week, the Redskins came back home to host the Minnesota Vikings on Homecoming Weekend. After allowing the Vikings to score 20 unanswered points to end the first half, the Redskins shut out the Vikings 12-0 in the second half, improving to 5-3-1 on the season.

Week 11: vs. Green Bay Packers

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Week Eleven: Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 10 01424
Redskins 7 6 92042

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

The Redskins avenged their 35–18 loss to the Packers in the wildcard round of last season's playoffs by beating them 42–24. They also were the last team to beat the Packers, as they went on a 6-game winning streak to finish the season.

Week 12: at Dallas Cowboys

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Thanksgiving Day game

Week Twelve: Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 6 02026
Cowboys 7 10 01431

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: November 24
  • Game time: 4:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 93,099
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Chris Myers
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

An attempted rally by the offense did not pay off. The Redskins dropped to 6–4–1 and were swept by the Cowboys for the first time since 2013.

Week 13: at Arizona Cardinals

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Week Thirteen: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 6 14323
Cardinals 7 3 71431

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/2:25 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 64,939
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Chris Spielman and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Kirk Cousins attempted to drive down the field but was intercepted by Patrick Peterson to seal the second straight loss for the Washington Redskins. With the loss, the 'Skins dropped to 6-5-1 and allowed the Cowboys to clinch a playoff spot by virtue of the loss.

Week 14: at Philadelphia Eagles

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Week Fourteen: Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 7 14627
Eagles 3 10 0922

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 35 °F (2 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 69,596
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Redskins rebounded from a disappointing loss at Arizona to break their two-game losing streak. Chris Thompson scored the game-winning touchdown, while Ryan Kerrigan sealed the game with a strip sack of Carson Wentz.

Week 15: vs. Carolina Panthers

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Week Fifteen: Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 10 3 10326
Redskins 3 6 0615

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: December 19
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 32 °F (0 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 76,689
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Josh Norman's revenge against his former team came up short in an abysmal Monday Night performance by the Redskins.

Week 16: at Chicago Bears

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Week Sixteen: Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 14 10 71041
Bears 0 14 0721

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C) cloudy, steady temps
  • Game attendance: 57,953
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, David Diehl and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 17: vs. New York Giants

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Week Seventeen: New York Giants at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Giants 3 7 0919
Redskins 0 0 3710

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: January 1, 2017
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), Sunny
  • Game attendance: 79,471
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With their playoff hopes on the line, the Redskins hosted the 10-5 New York Giants. The Redskins were pressured all day and two picks by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie made the Redskins miss out on the playoffs.

Standings

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Division

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NFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Dallas Cowboys 13 3 0 .813 3–3 9–3 421 306 L1
(5) New York Giants 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 310 284 W1
Washington Redskins 8 7 1 .531 3–3 6–6 396 383 L1
Philadelphia Eagles 7 9 0 .438 2–4 5–7 367 331 W2

Conference

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NFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Dallas Cowboys East 13 3 0 .813 3–3 9–3 .471 .440 L1
2 Atlanta Falcons South 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 .480 .452 W4
3 Seattle Seahawks West 10 5 1 .656 3–2–1 6–5–1 .441 .425 W1
4 Green Bay Packers North 10 6 0 .625 5–1 8–4 .508 .453 W6
Wild Cards
5 New York Giants East 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 .486 .455 W1
6[a] Detroit Lions North 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .475 .392 L3
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[a] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 9 7 0 .563 4–2 7–5 .492 .434 W1
8 Washington Redskins East 8 7 1 .531 3–3 6–6 .516 .430 L1
9 Minnesota Vikings North 8 8 0 .500 2–4 5–7 .492 .457 W1
10 Arizona Cardinals West 7 8 1 .469 4–1–1 6–5–1 .463 .366 W2
11[b] New Orleans Saints South 7 9 0 .438 2–4 6–6 .523 .393 L1
12[b] Philadelphia Eagles East 7 9 0 .438 2–4 5–7 .559 .518 W2
13 Carolina Panthers South 6 10 0 .375 1–5 5–7 .518 .354 L2
14 Los Angeles Rams West 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 .504 .500 L7
15 Chicago Bears North 3 13 0 .188 2–4 3–9 .521 .396 L4
16 San Francisco 49ers West 2 14 0 .125 2–4 2–10 .504 .250 L1
Tiebreakers[c]
  1. ^ a b Detroit finished ahead of Tampa Bay for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents—Detroit's cumulative record against Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New Orleans was 3–2, while Tampa Bay's cumulative record against the same four teams was 2–3.
  2. ^ a b New Orleans finished ahead of Philadelphia based on better record vs. conference opponents.
  3. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

Notes

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  1. ^ The Week 4 preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, originally scheduled for September 1, was moved forward to Wednesday, August 31, in an effort to avoid anticipated severe weather from Tropical Depression Nine.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Redskins Sign 14 College Free Agents". Washington Football Team. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  2. ^ "Buccaneers-Redskins Preseason Game Moved to Wednesday Night". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. August 29, 2016. Archived from the original on August 31, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  3. ^ "Team Game Finder".
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