A Strange Coincidence: How The Washington Commanders' Win Could Indicate A Kamala Harris Victory

A strange coincidence that started with the 1940 election indicates that the Washington Commanders' last-minute thrilling win at home against the Chicago Bears on Sunday portends a Kamala Harris victory over Donald Trump on Nov. 5. The Washington Redskins—now known as the Commanders—moved from Boston to Washington, D.C., in 1937. This team has a unique history intertwined with political dynamics, particularly during election years.

Leading up to the 2000 presidential election, a sports-data company noticed an intriguing pattern, which soon became known as "The Redskins Rule." This rule suggested that if the Commanders won their last home game before a presidential election, the incumbent party would retain the White House. Conversely, if they lost, the rival party would take power. This trend held true from 1940 to 2000 but faced challenges in subsequent elections, raising questions about its reliability.

In 2004, the rule appeared to falter when President George W. Bush won reelection despite the Commanders losing to the Green Bay Packers. Yet, Barack Obama’s victory in 2008 reaffirmed the rule after the team lost. This fluctuation led to the concept of "Redskins Rule 2.0," proposed by Steve Hirdt of the Elias Sports Bureau, which considered the popular vote's influence on election outcomes.

Under this new interpretation, the rule posits that if the popular vote winner does not win the election, the impact of the Redskins game flips. This theory adds a layer of complexity to how sports can reflect political outcomes, making the Commanders’ performance even more significant in the eyes of some Democrats.

According to this interpretation, every presidential election since 1940 would align, except for the 2012 and 2016 elections, which complicates the narrative around the impacts of sports on politics. Given that President Joe Biden won both the popular vote and the election, a Commanders win this season would suggest that Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, is likely to emerge victorious as well.

The thrilling match against the Bears highlighted this theory with a dramatic last-minute Hail Mary pass that secured the Commanders' victory. As the game clock dwindled down, the Bears held a narrow lead, but the Commanders managed to pull off a stunning play that not only secured their win but also reignited discussions about the connection between their games and electoral outcomes.

In the context of sports, fans and analysts alike are always eager to draw connections between notable events on the field and significant happenings in the political realm. This ongoing narrative makes the Washington Commanders' performance not just a matter of sports but a fascinating case study in how cultural events can influence public perception and electoral outcomes.

As we look forward to the upcoming election and reflect on the Commanders' recent performance, it will be interesting to see if this trend holds true once again, potentially impacting not only the political landscape but also the way fans engage with their favorite teams.