The head to head history of the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins doesn’t add up to much of a rivalry. The teams have played just 3 times in the last 20+ years. The Redskins haven’t defeated the Bengals since 1991, when the Redskins beat everybody. So, we’re traveling all the way back to December 15, 1985 for this installment of Flashback Friday.
The site was RFK Stadium and it was a cold day with temperatures in the 20’s. The Redskins were fighting for their playoff lives, heading into the game 8-6. The Redskins would strike first when George Rogers plowed in from the one yard line to make score 7-0. However, the Redskins found themselves down 21-7 in the 1st quarter and 24-7 in the 2nd. Boomer Esiason had 2 early TD passes to Rodney Holman and a 3rd TD pass came on a halfback option pass from James Brooks to Eddie Brown. Down 17, it was time for the Redskins to go to work.
Jay Schroeder would find Art Monk on a 4 yard TD pass to make the score 24-14. The Schroeder to Monk combination would become a theme for the day. Monk would have one of his greatest days as a pro, catching 13 balls for 230 yards and that TD. Mark Moseley would add a 42 yard FG after a Darrell Green 77 yard punt return TD was called back for unnecessary roughness. The high scoring half ended CIN 24 WAS 17.
While the Redskins defense was stiffening up and rising to the occasion in the 2nd half, the offense was doing their best to keep the Bengals in the game. Rogers fumbled 3 times, Moseley missed 2 FG’s and another TD was called back for a flag. Rogers would atone for his turnovers in the 4th quarter when he rumbled 34 yards for a TD. A last second 51 yard field goal attempt by Jim Breech was short, completing a scoreless 2nd half by the Bengals and made the final score WAS 27 CIN 24.
The Redskins defense was led by Curtis Jordan and his critical interception of Esiason in the Redskins end zone which would have put the Bengals up 31-7. Another safety, Raphel Cherry, who would later go to prison for life for murder, added an INT. Rich Milot had a huge sack with seconds left and Dexter Manley and Dean Hamel recorded sacks as well.
The Redskins offense was obviously led by Monk and his huge day. Rogers had 2TD’s and 94 yards on the ground. Schroeder passed for 273 yards. The Redskins would win the following week to finish 10-6. However, they failed to make the playoffs due to tie-breakers.
Cheers and Hail