On Sunday afternoon, the storied NFL Washington Redskins franchise was in Arizona to play the Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Midway through the first half of the game, tied 7-7, the television cameras zoomed in on Daniel Snyder, owner of the Redskins, who was seated next to beloved Chairman of the Navajo Nation, Ben Shelly.
The Chairman and Dan Snyder appeared to be enjoying the game, which at the half was a 1 point game. Daniel Snyder’s team may have lost (Cardinals 30- Redskins 20) the very competitive game, but the Navajo Nation with the Redskins made a victorious statement about tradition and freedom.
There was a small gathering of mostly non-indigenous protesters.
Media outlets listed a variety of story lines readers might want to follow during the game, however they missed the most important story line:
•Washington owns a 74-44-2 all-time record against the Cardinals.
•The Redskins have won the past eight games against the Cardinals. Arizona last beat Washington in 2000, prevailing 16-15.
•Washington didn’t commit a turnover in its last game and will try to extend that streak to two games for the first time since doing so during a three-game streak in Weeks 8 to 11 in 2012. That Redskins streak stopped at one with four turnovers in the fourth quarter.
•Washington’s offense enters the game ranks seventh in the league with 393.6 yards per game. The Redskin’s defense ranks 10th in the league, holding opponents to 340 yards per game.
•The Redskins’ offense ranks first in the NFL in yards per first-down play (6.88), and first in the NFL in total yards on first downs (1,045).
•Washington’s offense averages 22.4 points per game while the Cardinals have scored 21.5 points per game.
•The Redskins give up 27.2 points per game and the Cardinals allow 21.5 points per outing.
•The Cardinals own a 2-0 record at home while Washington is 0-2 on the road.
