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Can the ‘Redskins Rule’ predict outcome of the presidential election?

Valerie Bonk | vbonk@wtop.com

October 17, 2016, 10:25 AM

Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins throws to a receiver in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Here’s the “Redskins Rule” in short: If the Redskins win their final home game before Election Day, the party currently in the White House stays in the White House. If they lose, the other party wins the presidency. Scroll through the gallery to see how the Redskins record matches up with the eventual Election Day victor.

 Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins throws to a receiver in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shake hands after the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Redskins bested the Philadelphia Eagles at FedEx Oct. 16 — their last home game before the presidential election next month. According to the “Redskin Rule,” that bodes well for Democrat Hillary Clinton, who’s running to succeed President Barack Obama.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shake hands after the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
FILE - This Nov. 7, 2012 file photo shows President Barack Obama looks the the cheering crowd at the election night party at McCormick Place in Chicago. Presidential terms are measured by sweeping laws and stirring events, but legacies are about enduring ideas. The one Barack Obama has in mind will drive most everything he tries to do in the next four years: assuring that America is a place where anyone can make it. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
The Redskins fell 21-13 to the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 4, 2012 — just two days before the election-day matchup between incumbent President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. This is only of two elections going back to 1940 that the “Redskins Rule” failed to predict the winner of the election.
FILE – This Nov. 7, 2012 file photo shows President Barack Obama looks the the cheering crowd at the election night party at McCormick Place in Chicago. Presidential terms are measured by sweeping laws and stirring events, but legacies are about enduring ideas. The one Barack Obama has in mind will drive most everything he tries to do in the next four years: assuring that America is a place where anyone can make it. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle and Vice president-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill take the stage after Obama delivered his victory speech at the election night party at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
The Redskins lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-6 at FedEx field on Nov. 3. The next day, voters across the county elected relative Washington newcomer then-Sen. Barack Obama to the White House.
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle and Vice president-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill take the stage after Obama delivered his victory speech at the election night party at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush wave to supporters at an election victory rally Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, as daughters Jenna, left, and Barbara smile. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
A 28-14 loss to the Greenbay Packers on Halloween should have meant bad news for incumbent President George W. Bush. Instead, he won re-election Nov. 2 by a comfortable margin against Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush wave to supporters at an election victory rally Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, as daughters Jenna, left, and Barbara smile. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. George W. Bush, left, along with his parents George Bush and Barbara watch election returns Tuesday evening, Nov. 7, 2000, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)
A 27-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 30 came just a week before the hotly contested 2000 squeaker of an election. Weeks later (and after a Supreme Court intervention), George W. Bush takes the White House after eight years of Democrats holding the office.   Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. George W. Bush, left, along with his parents George Bush and Barbara watch election returns Tuesday evening, Nov. 7, 2000, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)
AP Photo/Eric Draper
President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore raise their hands in front of the Old State House during an election night celebration in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1996. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)
The Redskins scored a 31-21 win against the New York Giants on Oct. 20 at RFK Stadium (FedEx Field didn’t open until the following September). A few weeks later, voters would elect to continue with President Bill Clinton.   President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore raise their hands in front of the Old State House during an election night celebration in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1996.   (AP Photo/David Longstreath)
AP Photo/David Longstreath
President-elect Bill Clinton speaks to a crowd at The Old State House in Little Rock, Arkansas Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1992 as his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton looks. Clinton defeated President Bush in a landslide election. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
A 24-7 loss against the Giants two days before the 1992 election foreshadowed the outcome of the presidential contest when then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton defeated sitting President George H.W. Bush.     President-elect Bill Clinton speaks to a crowd at The Old State House in Little Rock, Arkansas Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1992 as his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton looks. Clinton defeated President Bush in a landslide election. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Vice President George H. Bush and Barbara Bush wave as balloons are dropped during a welcome rally in Houston, Nov. 8, 1988. Bush will watch the election results in Houston on Tuesday. (AP Photo/John Duricka)
A 27-24 win against New Orleans came two days before voters elected George H.W. Bush, who had served as vice president for eight years under President Ronald Reagan, over Democratic Gov. Michael Dukakis.     Vice President George H. Bush and Barbara Bush wave as balloons are dropped during a welcome rally in Houston, Nov. 8, 1988. Bush will watch the election results in Houston on Tuesday. (AP Photo/John Duricka)
AP Photo/John Duricka
Nancy and Ronald Reagan signal to well-wishers and supporters at the Century Plaza Hotel at night, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1984 in Los Angeles after Reagan was declared the winner in the 1984 presidential election against Democratic opponent Walter Mondale. (AP Photo)
A 27-14 win against Atlanta on the eve of Election Day 1984 predicted the landslide President Ronald Reagan would win against Democratic challenger Walter Mondale.     Nancy and Ronald Reagan signal to well-wishers and supporters at the Century Plaza Hotel at night, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1984 in Los Angeles after Reagan was declared the winner in the 1984 presidential election against Democratic opponent Walter Mondale. (AP Photo)
AP Photo
President-elect Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy wave to supporters after speaking at his election night headquarters in Los Angeles at night on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1980. Reagan swept to an unusually lopsided win over President Jimmy Carter. (AP Photo)
A 39-14 blowout loss to Minnesota came just two days before former Ronald Reagan’s 1980 victory ended President Jimmy Carter’s presidency after one term.   President-elect Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy wave to supporters after speaking at his election night headquarters in Los Angeles at night on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1980. Reagan swept to an unusually lopsided win over President Jimmy Carter.   (AP Photo)
AP Photo
President elect Jimmy Carter says "thanks" to supporters at the World Congress Center on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1976 in Atlanta, Ga., after defeating General Ford in the election. At left is wife Rosalynn Carter with daughter Amy. (AP Photo)
A 20-7 loss against Dallas on Halloween did not bode well for President Gerald Ford’s short presidential tenure. Three days later, voters elected Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter president.
President elect Jimmy Carter says “thanks” to supporters at the World Congress Center on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1976 in Atlanta, Ga., after defeating General Ford in the election. At left is wife Rosalynn Carter with daughter Amy. (AP Photo)
AP Photo
(1/12)
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins throws to a receiver in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shake hands after the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
FILE - This Nov. 7, 2012 file photo shows President Barack Obama looks the the cheering crowd at the election night party at McCormick Place in Chicago. Presidential terms are measured by sweeping laws and stirring events, but legacies are about enduring ideas. The one Barack Obama has in mind will drive most everything he tries to do in the next four years: assuring that America is a place where anyone can make it. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle and Vice president-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill take the stage after Obama delivered his victory speech at the election night party at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush wave to supporters at an election victory rally Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, as daughters Jenna, left, and Barbara smile. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. George W. Bush, left, along with his parents George Bush and Barbara watch election returns Tuesday evening, Nov. 7, 2000, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)
President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore raise their hands in front of the Old State House during an election night celebration in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1996. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)
President-elect Bill Clinton speaks to a crowd at The Old State House in Little Rock, Arkansas Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1992 as his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton looks. Clinton defeated President Bush in a landslide election. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Vice President George H. Bush and Barbara Bush wave as balloons are dropped during a welcome rally in Houston, Nov. 8, 1988. Bush will watch the election results in Houston on Tuesday. (AP Photo/John Duricka)
Nancy and Ronald Reagan signal to well-wishers and supporters at the Century Plaza Hotel at night, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1984 in Los Angeles after Reagan was declared the winner in the 1984 presidential election against Democratic opponent Walter Mondale. (AP Photo)
President-elect Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy wave to supporters after speaking at his election night headquarters in Los Angeles at night on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1980. Reagan swept to an unusually lopsided win over President Jimmy Carter. (AP Photo)
President elect Jimmy Carter says "thanks" to supporters at the World Congress Center on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1976 in Atlanta, Ga., after defeating General Ford in the election. At left is wife Rosalynn Carter with daughter Amy. (AP Photo)

WASHINGTON — The theory is that if the Redskins win their final home game before Election Day, the party currently in the White House stays in the White House. If they lose, the other party wins the presidency.

Well, the Redskins beat the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, 27-20, meaning, if you’re into superstitions, it seems the White House will go to the Democrats in November.

Since 1940, the outcome of the final Redskins’ home game before the presidential election has predicted the result 17 out of 19 times.

But after being right for 60 straight years, the rule has in fact been wrong for two of the past three elections. The Redskins Rule failed to predict the winner for Barack Obama’s victory over Mitt Romney in 2012 and George W. Bush’s win over John Kerry in 2004.

According to the latest WSJ/NBC News poll, Clinton has opened up an 11-point lead over Republican Donald Trump.

Washington’s next two games are on the road. The Redskins have a bye week before Election Day.

Valerie Bonk

Valerie Bonk started working at WTOP in 2016 and has lived in Howard County, Maryland, her entire life. She's thrilled to be a reporter for WTOP telling stories on air. She works as both a television and radio reporter in the Maryland and D.C. areas. 

vbonk@wtop.com

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