The Washington Redskins will open their 2014 season at the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 7.
That opener kicks off a 17-week, 16-game quest for redemption after last season’s 3-13 debacle that cost coach Mike Shanahan his job.
With Jay Gruden in charge and no lingering questions about Robert Griffin III’s health, the Redskins now know their roadmap to what they hope will be a return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.
The opener could pit the Redskins against the top overall pick in next month’s draft, assuming the Texans don’t trade it away. That could mean an opening date against quarterback Johnny Manziel or pass-rush specialist Jadeveon Clowney.
The first of the Redskins’ three prime-time games will come in Week 4 when they host the Giants in a Thursday night game on Sept. 26, and they’ll follow it with a Monday night game against the Seahawks in a marquee quarterback matchup between Griffin and Russell Wilson.
They’ll close the season with the traditional run of three straight division opponents, finishing up with the Cowboys at FedEx Field on Dec. 28.
SEE ALSO: 2014 NFL schedule: Seahawks vs. Packers is opener
The full 2014 schedule:
Week 1: Redskins at Texans
Date: Sunday, Sept. 7
Time: 1 p.m.
Television: Fox
Site: Reliant Stadium, Houston
Regular Season Series: Redskins, 2-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 19, 2010 (Texans, 30-27, OT)
Last Redskins Victory: Sept. 24, 2006 (31-15)
Note: The No. 1 pick in the draft in May will see his first action against the Redskins.
Week 2: Redskins vs. Jaguars
Date: Sunday, Sept. 14
Time: 1 p.m.
Television: CBS
Site: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
Regular Season Series: Redskins, 4-1
Last Meeting: Dec. 26, 2010 (Redskins, 20-17, OT)
Last Redskins Victory: Dec. 26, 2010
Note: The Redskins having this home game prevented it from being exiled to London.
Week 3: Redskins at Eagles
Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
Time: 1 p.m.
Television: Fox
Site: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Regular Season Series: Redskins, 80-72-5
Last Meeting: Nov. 17, 2013 (Eagles, 24-17)
Last Redskins Victory: Nov. 18, 2012 (31-6)
Note: DeSean Jackson’s first game against his old team will draw eyeballs.
Week 4: Redskins vs. Giants
Date: Thursday, Sept. 25
Time: 8:20 p.m.
Television: CBS/NFL Network
Site: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
Regular Season Series: Giants, 92-64-4
Last Meeting: Dec. 29, 2013 (Giants 20, Redskins 6)
Last Redskins Victory: Dec. 3, 2012 (17-16)
Note: Three of the last four meetings have been won by the Giants.
Week 5: Redskins vs. Seahawks
Date: Monday, Oct. 6
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Television: ESPN
Site: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
Regular Season Series: Redskins, 11-4
Last Meeting: Nov. 27, 2011 (Redskins, 23-17)
Last Redskins Victory: Nov. 27, 2011
Note: A 2012 playoff rematch against the defending Super Bowl champs.
Week 6: Redskins at Cardinals
Date: Sunday, Oct. 12
Time: 4:25 p.m.
Television: Fox
Site: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
Regular Season Series: Redskins, 74-44-2
Last Meeting: Sept. 18, 2011 (Redskins, 22-21)
Last Redskins Victory: Sept. 18, 2011 (22-21)
Note: Another receiver reunion as Andre Roberts faces his old team.
Week 7: Redskins vs. Titans
Date: Sunday, Oct. 19
Time: 1 p.m.
Television: CBS
Site: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
Regular Season Series: Titans, 6-5
Last Meeting: Nov. 21, 2010 (Redskins, 19-16, OT)
Last Redskins Victory: Nov. 21, 2010
Note: One-time Redskins coaching candidate Ken Whisenhunt comes to town.
Week 8: Redskins at Cowboys
Date: Monday, Oct. 27
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Television: ESPN
Site: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Regular Season Series: Cowboys, 64-40-2
Last Meeting: Dec. 22, 2013 (Cowboys, 24-23)
Last Redskins Victory: Dec. 30, 2012 (28-18)
Note: Defensive end Jason Hatcher signed with the Redskins to remain in the rivalry.
Week 9: Redskins at Vikings
Date: Sunday, Nov. 2
Time: 1 p.m.
Television: Fox
Site: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Regular Season Series: Tied, 9-9
Last Meeting: Nov. 7, 2013 (Vikings, 34-27)
Last Redskins Victory: Oct. 14, 2012 (38-26)
Note: Old Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden faces old Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
Week 10 – Bye
Date: Sunday, Nov. 9
Week 11: Redskins vs. Buccaneers
Date: Sunday, Nov. 16
Time: 1 p.m.
Television: Fox
Site: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
Regular Season Series: Tied, 9-9
Last Meeting: Sept. 30, 2012 (Redskins, 24-22)
Last Redskins Victory: Sept. 30, 2012 (24-22)
Note: A significant number of the Redskins’ coaches got their start in Tampa Bay.
Week 12: Redskins at 49ers
Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 4:25 p.m.
Television: CBS
Site: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
Regular Season Series: 49ers, 16-9-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 25, 2013 (49ers, 27-6)
Last Redskins Victory: Dec. 26, 1999 (26-20, OT)
Note: Colin Kaepernick got the best of the QB matchup in November.
Week 13: Redskins at Colts
Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 1 p.m.
Television: Fox
Site: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Regular Season Series: Colts, 19-10
Last Meeting: Oct. 17, 2010 (Colts, 27-24)
Last Redskins Victory: Oct. 27, 2002 (26-21)
Note: Robert Griffin III vs. Andrew Luck has lost some luster over the past two seasons.
Week 14: Redskins vs. Rams
Date: Sunday, Dec. 7
Time: 1 p.m.
Television: Fox
Site: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
Regular Season Series: Redskins, 22-10-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 16, 2012 (Rams, 31-28)
Last Redskins Victory: Oct. 2, 2011 (17-10)
Note: Will the No. 2 pick from the Griffin trade make an impact in this game?
Week 15: Redskins at Giants
Date: Sunday, Dec. 14
Time: 1 p.m.
Television: Fox
Site: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Regular Season Series: Giants, 92-64-4
Last Meeting: Dec. 29, 2013 (Giants 20, Redskins 6)
Last Redskins Victory: Dec. 3, 2012 (17-16)
Note: Late matchup will indicate if Eli Manning’s career truly is trending down.
Week 16: Redskins vs. Eagles
Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
Time: TBD
Television: NFL Network/CBS
Site: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
Regular Season Series: Redskins, 80-72-5 (1-0 in postseason)
Last Meeting: Nov. 17, 2013 (Eagles, 24-17)
Last Redskins Victory: Nov. 18, 2012 (31-6)
Note: The teams’ second meeting could be for the NFC East title.
Week 17: Redskins vs. Cowboys
Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
Time: TBD
Television: Fox
Site: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
Regular Season Series: Cowboys, 64-40-2
Last Meeting: Dec. 22, 2013 (Cowboys, 24-23)
Last Redskins Victory: Dec. 30, 2012 (28-18)
Note: With the Cowboys frequently in playoff contention, will one team be playing spoiler?
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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