Washington is a superstitious town and has been on edge for weeks.
No, not about the election (OK, not only about the election) but about how the Washington Commanders would fare at home on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
Historically, the success of Washington’s football team in its final home game before a presidential election has been a reasonably reliable indicator of the outcome. And on Sunday, the Commanders were going to lose — until they didn’t, because rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels completed a 52-yard miracle touchdown pass as time expired.
The 18-15 victory, beyond ensuring that the Commanders remain in first place in the NFC East, may also have implications for those in Washington jittery about that other looming contest.
In 17 of the 21 presidential campaigns since the team moved to Washington in 1937, the outcome of its final home game before Election Day has accurately predicted the outcome. It was called the Redskins Rule, before the team changed its name, and it held that if Washington won, the incumbent party in the White House would win the election. If Washington lost, the other party would prevail.
By that measure, Washington’s sensational comeback on Sunday would signal good news for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and bad news for former President Donald Trump.
Now the ominous tiding for Harris, and the solace for Trump, is that the old rule has missed the last three presidential elections — including in 2020, when the franchise dropped its old name. So, the Commanders Rule, if we can call it that, may be shakier than it has been historically.
Still, if nothing else, Daniels’ brilliance in his first season suggests that he may become one J.D. that all of Washington can get behind.
