Hat tip: Niners Nation.
ESPN has ranked every single Superbowl team in history from 80th to 1st. I present to you Your Washington Redskins. Post your own thoughts, comments, and criticisms below:
Super Bowl: Lost to Miami 14-7 Coach: George Allen
Key players: QB Billy Kilmer (1,648 yards, 19 TD), RB Larry Brown (1,216 yards), WR Charley Taylor, TE, Jerry Smith, C Len Hauss, LB Chris Hanburger, DB Pat Fischer
In his second season at the helm in Washington, George Allen coached the "Over the Hill Gang" to the NFC championship. The Redskins enjoyed solid performances from Billy Kilmer and Larry Brown, but their offense ranked just 11th in total yardage. After earning two playoff victories by a combined score of 42-6, Washington was actually a slight favorite over the undefeated Dolphins in Super Bowl VII. However, the Redskins were unable to dent Miami's "no-name defense" and were 2:07 from getting shut out until Mike Bass' fortuitous fumble recovery and touchdown return of Garo Yepremian's infamous flub.
Super Bowl: Beat Miami 27-17 Coach: Joe Gibbs
Key players: QB Joe Theismann (91.3 QB rating), RB John Riggins, WR Art Monk, WR Charlie Brown, OG Russ Grimm, OT Joe Jacoby, DE Dexter Manley, DT Dave Butz, K Mark Moseley
How bizarre was the 1982 strike-shortened season? Kicker Mark Moseley was named NFL MVP. That is not a misprint (he was 20-of-21 on field goals but, oddly, just 16-of-19 on extra points). A year after beginning his head coaching career 0-5, Joe Gibbs piloted the Redskins to their first Super Bowl victory. Despite allowing the fewest points in the NFL during a nine-game, strike-shortened regular season, Washington was a three-point underdog in the Super Bowl. Behind The Hogs, John Riggins rumbled for a then-Super Bowl record 166 rushing yards, becoming the first NFL player to rush for 100 or more yards in four consecutive postseason games.
Super Bowl: Beat Denver 42-10 Coach: Joe Gibbs
Key players: QB Doug Williams (1,156 yards, 11 TD), QB Jay Schroeder (1,878, 12 TD), RB George Rogers, WR Gary Clark (1,066 yards), OT Joe Jacoby, DE Charles Mann, CB Darrell Green
As Super Bowl XXII kicked off, it was difficult to know what to expect from the Redskins, who were three-point underdogs to Denver. Washington entered the playoffs with a quarterback controversy and a defense ranked 18th in yards allowed. It had just the third-best record in the NFC, even with a soft schedule and a 3-0 mark in games involving replacement players. As it turned out, unheralded Timmy Smith ran for a Super Bowl-record 204 yards, and Doug Williams and Ricky Sanders burned the Broncos' secondary in an easy victory.
Super Bowl: Lost to Los Angeles Raiders 38-9 Coach: Joe Gibbs
Key players: QB Joe Theismann (3,714 yards, 29 TD), RB John Riggins (1,347 yards, 24 TD), RB Joe Washington, WR Charlie Brown (1,225 yards), WR Art Monk, OT Joe Jacoby, DT Dave Butz
The Redskins seemed to be on the verge of a dynasty. Coming off a victory in Super Bowl XVII, Washington boasted the second-highest point total in NFL history at 541. Both of its losses were by a single point. The weapons were plentiful: Joe Thiesmann (career highs in passing yards, touchdowns and passer rating), John Riggins (career highs in rushing yards and touchdowns), Joe Washington (1,226 yards from scrimmage) and Charlie Brown. Something often overlooked regarding this team is its ordinary defense, which ranked 11th in points allowed and 12th in yards allowed and featured just one Pro Bowler (Dave Butz). Some of the yards did result from opponents trying to play catch-up (the Redskins were last in passing yards allowed, but first in interceptions).
Super Bowl: Beat Buffalo 37-24 Coach: Joe Gibbs
Key players: QB Mark Rypien (3,564, 28 TD), RB Earnest Byner (1,048 yards), WR Gary Clark
(70 rec, 1,340 yards), WR Art Monk, OT Jim Lachey, OG Mark Schlereth, CB Darrell Green
If you're a Redskins fan, we know you're angry. And know what? You may be right. There is a case that this isn't just the greatest Redskins team ever, but the greatest of any team. Their point differential (+261) is tied for second-best since the 16-game schedule began. They lost two games by a combined five points, and one of those came in the final game. They dominated the playoffs. They recorded 50 sacks and allowed just nine. They played a tough schedule. But two things prevent a higher ranking: While Washington ran the ball a lot, it wasn't a great running team (just 18th in average yards per carry). And while Mark Rypien didn't have exactly a fluke season, he certainly had a career year. And we're having a little trouble getting past ranking a team with Rypien higher than 10th.