1987 Washington Redskins season

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1987 NFL draft

Personnel

Staff

• Owner – Jack Kent Cooke

• General manager – Bobby Beathard

• Administrative assistant – Bill Hickman

• Head coach – Joe Gibbs

• Offensive coordinator – Dan Henning

• Quarterbacks – Jerry Rhome

• Running backs – Don Breaux

• Wide receivers – Charley Taylor

• Assistant wide receivers – Dan Henning

• Tight ends – Rennie Simmons

• Offensive line – Joe Bugel

• Co-defensive coordinator – Larry Peccatiello

• Co-defensive coordinator – Richie Petitbon

• Defensive line – LaVern Torgeson

• Special teams coordinator – Chuck Banker

• Strength coach – Joe Diange

• Conditioning coach – Dan Riley

NFL replacement players

After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:

Roster

Preseason

Regular season

In 1987, Redskins starting QB Jay Schroeder got injured early in the opening game against the Eagles and was replaced by Williams, who led the team to victory. In his NFL debut, replacement player Ed Rubbert passed for 334 yards. Rubbert also threw three touchdown passes to Anthony Allen. Allen would have 255 receiving yards.

Schedule

Regular season summaries

Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

First quarter

• WAS – Jess Atkinson 27-yard field goal, 11:30. Redskins 3–0.
• WAS – Art Monk 6-yard pass from Doug Williams (Jess Atkinson kick), 4:18. Redskins 10–0. Second quarter
• PHI – Mike Quick 30-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Paul McFadden kick), 10:58. Redskins 10–7.
• PHI – Paul McFadden 43-yard field goal, 5:32. Tied 10–10.
• WAS – George Rogers 1-yard run (Steve Cox kick), 0:38. Redskins 17–10. Third quarter
• WAS – Reggie Branch 1-yard run (Steve Cox kick), 11:12. Redskins 24–10.
• PHI – Randall Cunningham 2-yard run (Paul McFadden kick), 4:19. Redskins 24–17.
• PHI – Reggie White 70-yard fumble return (Paul McFadden kick), 0:08. Tied 24–24. Fourth quarter
• WAS – Art Monk 39-yard pass from Doug Williams (Steve Cox kick), 14:53. Redskins 31–24.
• WAS – Steve Cox 40-yard field goal, 5:20. Redskins 34–24. Top passers
• PHI – Randall Cunningham – 21/36, 269 yards, TD, 2 INT
• WAS – Doug Williams – 17/27, 272 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
• PHI – Michael Haddix – 14 rushes, 60 yards
• WAS – Kelvin Bryant – 7 rushes, 32 yards Top receivers
• PHI – John Spagnola – 6 receptions, 61 yards
• WAS – Gary Clark – 8 receptions, 102 yards

Week 2 (Sunday, September 20, 1987): at [[1987 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]]

• Point spread: Redskins –6½
• Over/under: 41.5 (under)
• Time of game:

Individual stats

• Missed Field Goals: Haji-Sheikh 33

Week 3: vs. New England Patriots (Canceled)

The Redskins were scheduled to host the New England Patriots, but a players' strike was called following the conclusion of week 2. The week 3 slate of games were cancelled as a result. Games would resume the following week with team rosters mostly made up of replacement players.

Week 4: vs. St. Louis Cardinals

First quarter

• WAS – Anthony Allen 34-yard pass from Ed Rubbert (Brendan Toibin kick), 1:20. Redskins 7–0. Second quarter
• STL – Earl Ferrell 1-yard run (Jason Staurovsky kick), 9:28. Tied 7–7.
• WAS – Anthony Allen 88-yard pass from Ed Rubbert (Brendan Toibin kick), 9:05. Redskins 14–7. Third quarter
• STL – Earl Ferrell 1-yard run (Jason Staurovsky kick), 8:01. Tied 14–14.
• WAS – Lionel Vital 8-yard run (Brendan Toibin kick), 5:24. Redskins 21–14.
• WAS – Anthony Allen 48-yard pass from Ed Rubbert (Brendan Toibin kick), 2:02. Redskins 28–14. Fourth quarter
• STL – Pete Noga 60-yard interception return (Jason Staurovsky kick), 12:17. Redskins 28–21. Top passers
• STL – Shawn Halloran – 16/35, 258 yards
• WAS – Ed Rubbert – 14/24, 334 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers
• STL – Earl Ferrell – 27 rushes, 87 yards, 2 TD
• WAS – Lionel Vital – 27 rushes, 82 yards, TD Top receivers
• STL – J. T. Smith – 6 receptions, 116 yards
• WAS – Anthony Allen – 7 receptions, 255 yards, 3 TD In the first game since the start of the strike, Washington hosted divisional rival St. Louis. The Cardinals' roster had a few players that crossed the picket line, while the Redskins' roster was completely made up of replacement players. Wide receiver Anthony Allen finished the game with 255 receiving yards, breaking the franchise record for receiving yards in a single game.

Week 5: at New York Giants

First quarter

• NYG – George Benyola 45-yard field goal, 11:48. Giants 3–0.
• WAS – Obed Ariri 22-yard field goal, 6:57. Tied 3–3. Second quarter
• WAS – Wayne Wilson 1-yard run (Obed Ariri kick), 9:50. Redskins 10–3.
• WAS – Lionel Vital 22-yard run (Obed Ariri kick), 5:05. Redskins 17–3.
• WAS – Wayne Wilson 3-yard run (Obed Ariri kick), 1:15. Redskins 24–3. Third quarter
• NYG – Edwin Lovelady 23-yard pass from Mike Busch (kick failed), 10:54. Redskins 24–9.
• WAS – Wayne Wilson 64-yard pass from Ed Rubbert (Obed Ariri kick), 9:36. Redskins 31–9.
• NYG – George Beynola 20-yard field goal, 6:02. Redskins 31–12. Fourth quarter
• WAS – Tim Jessie 14-yard run (Obed Ariri kick), 1:55. Redskins 38–12. Top passers
• WAS – Ed Rubbert – 11/23, 176 yards, TD
• NYG – Mike Busch – 14/41, 183 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• WAS – Lionel Vital – 27 rushes, 128 yards, TD
• NYG – Van Williams – 12 rushes, 36 yards Top receivers
• WAS – Anthony Allen – 4 receptions, 51 yards
• NYG – Lewis Bennett – 4 receptions, 66 yards

Week 6: at Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

• WAS – Obed Ariri 19-yard field goal, 8:49. Redskins 3–0. Second quarter
• No scoring plays Third quarter
• WAS – Ted Wilson 16-yard run (Obed Ariri kick), 10:35. Redskins 10–0.
• DAL – Kelvin Edwards 23-yard pass from Danny White (Kerry Brady kick), 8:10. Redskins 10–7. Fourth quarter
• WAS – Obed Ariri 39-yard field goal, 6:13. Redskins 13–7. Top passers
• WAS – Tony Robinson – 11/15, 152 yards, 2 INT
• DAL – Danny White – 21/36, 262 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• WAS – Lionel Vital – 26 rushes, 136 yards
• DAL – Tony Dorsett – 19 rushes, 81 yards Top receivers
• WAS – Craig McEwen – 7 receptions, 108 yards
• DAL – Kelvin Edwards – 6 receptions, 104 yards, TD Days before the game, the players' strike was ended. However, the replacement players were still in use week six due to an owner-induced deadline for the regular players to return, with the union missing the deadline. Washington traveled to Dallas to take on the Cowboys on ABC's Monday Night Football in what would be the last game to feature the replacement players. The Redskins' roster consisted entirely of replacement players while the Cowboys had several players that crossed the picket line, including star defensive tackle Randy White and running back Tony Dorsett. With the strike over, Washington was only one of two franchises to not have any players cross the picket line, with the other being the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Redskins would sign some of the replacement players to the regular roster. Players of note include wide receiver Anthony Allen and tight end Craig McEwen.

Week 7: vs. New York Jets

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• WAS – Gary Clark 20-yard pass from Jay Schroeder (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 11:21. Redskins 7–0.
• NYJ – Pat Leahy 33-yard field goal, 2:25. Redskins 7–3. Third quarter
• NYJ – Pat Leahy 23-yard field goal, 7:39. Redskins 7–6.
• NYJ – Mickey Shuler 15-yard pass from Ken O'Brien (Pat Leahy kick), 0:06. Jets 13–7. Fourth quarter
• NYJ – Pat Leahy 21-yard field goal, 10:38. Jets 16–7.
• WAS – Kelvin Bryant 2-yard pass from Jay Schroeder (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 5:15. Jets 16–14.
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 28-yard field goal, 0:54. Redskins 17–16. Top passers
• NYJ – Ken O'Brien – 18/27, 174 yards, TD, INT
• WAS – Jay Schroeder – 15/38, 275 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• NYJ – Roger Vick – 4 rushes, 29 yards
• WAS – Keith Griffin – 20 rushes, 79 yards Top receivers
• NYJ – Al Toon – 9 receptions, 97 yards
• WAS – Kelvin Bryant – 4 receptions, 67 yards, TD In the first game with its regular players since week 2, Washington hosted the New York Jets. Washington's offense struggled throughout most of the game, with fans booing the team and demanding that the replacement players be put into the game. The Redskins would come back in the fourth quarter to defeat the Jets 17–16, with kicker Ali Haji-Sheikh kicking the game-winning field goal with just under a minute left to play.

Week 8 (Sunday, November 1, 1987): at [[1987 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]

• Point spread: Redskins –3½
• Over/under: 45.0 (under)
• Time of game:

Individual stats

Week 9: at Philadelphia Eagles

First quarter

• PHI – Anthony Toney 3-yard run (Paul McFadden kick), 8:50. Eagles 7–0.
• WAS – George Rogers 3-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 3:41. Tied 7–7. Second quarter
• WAS – Art Monk 19-yard pass from Jay Schroeder (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 8:56. Redskins 14–7.
• WAS – Darrell Green 26-yard fumble return (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 5:25. Redskins 21–7.
• PHI – Paul McFadden 37-yard field goal, 2:33. Redskins 21–10.
• PHI – Mike Quick 6-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Paul McFadden kick), 0:14. Redskins 21–17. Third quarter
• No scoring plays Fourth quarter
• PHI – Mike Quick 32-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Paul McFadden kick), 7:13. Eagles 24–21.
• WAS – Gary Clark 47-yard pass from Jay Schroeder (kick failed), 2:29. Redskins 27–24.
• PHI – Gregg Garrity 40-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Paul McFadden kick), 1:06. Eagles 31–27. Top passers
• WAS – Jay Schroeder – 16/46, 265 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
• PHI – Randall Cunningham – 18/31, 268 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT Top rushers
• WAS – George Rogers – 19 rushes, 80 yards, TD
• PHI – Anthony Toney – 20 rushes, 87 yards, TD Top receivers
• WAS – Kelvin Bryant – 5 receptions, 57 yards
• PHI – Anthony Toney – 6 receptions, 38 yards

Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions

First quarter

• DET – Eddie Murray 40-yard field goal, 7:16. Lions 3–0. Second quarter
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 33-yard field goal, 14:51. Tied 3–3.
• WAS – Kelvin Bryant 16-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 2:27. Redskins 10–3.
• WAS – Gary Clark 42-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 0:27. Redskins 17–3. Third quarter
• DET – Eddie Murray 41-yard field goal, 11:18. Redskins 17–6.
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 41-yard field goal, 5:37. Redskins 20–6.
• DET – Karl Bernard 2-yard run (Eddie Murray kick), 1:51. Redskins 20–13. Top passers
• DET – Chuck Long – 23/37, 249 yards, 4 INT
• WAS – Doug Williams – 11/18, 161 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
• DET – James Jones – 16 rushes, 53 yards
• WAS – George Rogers – 9 rushes, 56 yards Top receivers
• DET – Jeff Chadwick – 7 receptions, 94 yards
• WAS – Kelvin Bryant – 5 receptions, 42 yards, TD

Week 11: vs. Los Angeles Rams

First quarter

• LAR – Mike Wilcher 35-yard fumble return (Mike Lansford kick). Rams 7–0.
• WAS – Art Monk 17-yard pass from Doug Williams (kick failed). Rams 7–6.
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 22-yard field goal. Redskins 9–7.
• LAR – Ron Brown 95-yard kickoff return (Mike Lansford kick). Rams 14–9. Second quarter
• LAR – Mike Lansford 37-yard field goal. Rams 17–9.
• LAR – Charles White 1-yard run (kick failed). Rams 23–9.
• WAS – Doug Williams 1-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Rams 23–16. Third quarter
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 29-yard field goal. Rams 23–19.
• LAR – Ron Brown 26-yard pass from Jim Everett (Mike Lansford kick). Rams 30–19. Fourth quarter
• WAS – Art Monk 5-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Rams 30–26. Top passers
• LAR – Jim Everett – 7/13, 106 yards, TD, INT
• WAS – Doug Williams – 24/46, 308 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• LAR – Charles White – 35 rushes, 112 yards, TD
• WAS – Kelvin Bryant – 7 rushes, 46 yards Top receivers
• LAR – Ron Brown – 2 receptions, 39 yards, TD
• WAS – Art Monk – 5 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TD

Week 12: vs. New York Giants

First quarter

• NYG – Raúl Allegre 24-yard field goal. Giants 3–0.
• NYG – Mark Bavaro 30-yard pass from Phil Simms (Raúl Allegre kick). Giants 10–0. Second quarter
• NYG – Raúl Allegre 42-yard field goal. Giants 13–0.
• NYG – Raúl Allegre 30-yard field goal. Giants 16–0. Third quarter
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 41-yard field goal. Giants 16–3.
• NYG – Raúl Allegre 45-yard field goal. Giants 19–3.
• WAS – Gary Clark 34-yard pass from Jay Schroeder (kick failed). Giants 19–9. Fourth quarter
• WAS – Keith Griffin 6-yard pass from Jay Schroeder (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Giants 19–16.
• WAS – Ricky Sanders 28-yard pass from Jay Schroeder (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 23–19. Top passers
• NYG – Phil Simms – 12/29, 236 yards, TD, INT
• WAS – Jay Schroeder – 28/46, 331 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
• NYG – Joe Morris – 27 rushes, 76 yards
• WAS – Kelvin Bryant – 11 rushes, 45 yards Top receivers
• NYG – Tony Galbreath – 4 receptions, 54 yards
• WAS – Gary Clark – 7 receptions, 112 yards, TD

Week 13: at St. Louis Cardinals

First quarter

• WAS – Gary Clark 84-yard pass from Jay Schroeder (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 7–0.
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 22-yard field goal. Redskins 10–0. Second quarter
• STL – Stump Mitchell 3-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Jim Gallery kick). Redskins 10–7.
• STL – J. T. Smith 4-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Jim Gallery kick). Cardinals 14–10. Third quarter
• STL – Jim Gallery 48-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–10.
• WAS – Jay Schroeder 7-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Tied 17–17.
• WAS – George Rogers 6-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 24–17.
• WAS – Clint Didier 19-yard pass from Jay Schroeder (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 31–17. Fourth quarter
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 40-yard field goal. Redskins 34–17. Top passers
• WAS – Jay Schroeder – 13/25, 235 yards, 2 TD, INT
• STL – Neil Lomax – 21/39, 241 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
• WAS – George Rogers – 29 rushes, 133 yards, TD
• STL – Stump Mitchell – 20 rushes, 101 yards Top receivers
• WAS – Gary Clark – 5 receptions, 130 yards, TD
• STL – Roy Green – 6 receptions, 90 yards

Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

• WAS – George Rogers 1-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 7–0.
• DAL – Roger Ruzek 22-yard field goal. Redskins 7–3. Second quarter
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 31-yard field goal. Redskins 10–3.
• WAS – Gary Clark 56-yard pass from Jay Schroeder (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 17–3. Third quarter
• WAS – George Rogers 1-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 24–3.
• DAL – Roger Ruzek 37-yard field goal. Redskins 24–6.
• DAL – Mike Renfro 25-yard pass from Danny White (Roger Ruzek kick). Redskins 24–13. Fourth quarter
• DAL – Rod Barksdale 5-yard pass from Danny White (Roger Ruzek kick). Redskins 24–20. Top passers
• DAL – Danny White – 27/49, 359 yards, 2 TD, INT
• WAS – Jay Schroeder – 13/26, 250 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• DAL – Herschel Walker – 14 rushes, 44 yards
• WAS – George Rogers – 27 rushes, 64 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• DAL – Mike Renfro – 6 receptions, 97 yards, TD
• WAS – Gary Clark – 9 receptions, 187 yards, TD

Week 15: at Miami Dolphins

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• MIA – Fuad Reveiz 48-yard field goal. Dolphins 3–0.
• WAS – Kelvin Bryant 6-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 7–3.
• MIA – Mark Duper 26-yard pass from Dan Marino (kick failed). Dolphins 9–7. Third quarter
• WAS – Jay Schroeder 6-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 14–9. Fourth quarter
• MIA – Mark Duper 59-yard pass from Dan Marino (Fuad Reveiz kick). Dolphins 16–14.
• WAS – George Rogers 2-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 21–16.
• MIA – Mark Duper 6-yard pass from Dan Marino (Fuad Reveiz kick). Dolphins 23–21. Top passers
• WAS – Jay Schroeder – 19/38, 272 yards, INT
• MIA – Dan Marino – 22/50, 393 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers
• WAS – Kelvin Bryant – 9 rushes, 84 yards, TD
• MIA – Troy Stradford – 12 rushes, 49 yards Top receivers
• WAS – Kelvin Bryant – 5 receptions, 69 yards
• MIA – Mark Duper – 6 receptions, 170 yards, 3 TD

Week 16: at Minnesota Vikings

First quarter

• MIN – Alfred Anderson (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 7–0. Second quarter
• WAS – Barry Wilburn 100-yard interception return (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Tied 7–7. Third quarter
• WAS – Ricky Sanders 46-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 14–7. Fourth quarter
• MIN – Alfred Anderson 1-yard run (Chuck Nelson kick). Tied 14–14.
• MIN – Wade Wilson 1-yard run (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 21–14.
• MIN – Chuck Nelson 20-yard field goal. Vikings 24–14.
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 37-yard field goal. Vikings 24–17.
• WAS – Ricky Sanders 51-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Tied 24–24. Overtime
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 26-yard field goal. Redskins 27–24. Top passers
• WAS – Doug Williams – 11/22, 217 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
• MIN – Wade Wilson – 14/27, 206 yards, 3 INT Top rushers
• WAS – George Rogers – 10 rushes, 51 yards
• MIN – Wade Wilson – 10 rushes, 75 yards, TD Top receivers
• WAS – Ricky Sanders – 8 receptions, 164 yards, 2 TD
• MIN – Steve Jordan – 5 receptions, 65 yards

Regular season game officials

Standings

Postseason

Main article: 1987–88 NFL playoffs

Schedule

Game summaries

NFC Divisional Playoffs (Sunday, January 10, 1988): at [[1987 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]

• Point spread: Redskins +4½
• Over/under: 38.0 (push)
• Time of game: 3 hours, 5 minutes

Individual stats

After a first-round bye, Washington's playoff run began in the divisional round at Chicago. The Bears were the NFC's 2nd-seed, having finished the regular season at 11–4 and winning the NFC Central. Chicago jumped out to a 14–0 lead, but Washington would score 21 unanswered points, winning the game 21–17.

NFC Championship vs. Minnesota Vikings

First quarter

• WAS – Kelvin Bryant 42-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 7–0. Second quarter
• MIN – Leo Lewis 23-yard pass from Wade Wilson (Chuck Nelson kick). Tied 7–7. Third quarter
• WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 28-yard field goal. Redskins 10–7. Fourth quarter
• MIN – Chuck Nelson 18-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
• WAS – Gary Clark 7-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 17–10. Top passers
• MIN – Wade Wilson – 19/39, 243 yards, TD, INT
• WAS – Doug Williams – 9/26, 119 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
• MIN – Wade Wilson – 4 rushes, 28 yards
• WAS – Timmy Smith – 13 rushes, 72 yards Top receivers
• MIN – Anthony Carter – 7 receptions 85 yards
• WAS – Gary Clark – 3 receptions, 57 yards, TD After defeating the Bears in the divisional round, the Redskins hosted the surprising Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship. Minnesota just scraped into the playoffs, finishing the regular season 8–7, earning the NFC's fifth and final seed. The Vikings finished the regular season losing three of their last four, but pulled off two major upsets once the playoffs started. Minnesota defeated the 12–3 New Orleans Saints 44–10 in the wild card round, then took down the NFC's top seed, the San Francisco 49ers, 36–24 in the divisional round.

Washington would end Minnesota's run of upsets, limiting the Vikings' run game to only 76 yards and sacked quarterback Wade Wilson eight times. The Vikings' defense would limit Doug Williams, who finished the game only completing 9 passes on 26 attempts for 119 yards. The Redskins' defense prevented a game-tying touchdown in the final minute of regulation to give Washington the 17–10 victory and send the team to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in franchise history.

Super Bowl XXII

Main article: Super Bowl XXII

First quarter

• DEN – Ricky Nattiel 56-yard pass from John Elway (Rich Karlis kick), 13:03. ''Broncos 7–0. '''Drive: 1 play, 56 yards, 0:08.'''''
• DEN – Rich Karlis 24-yard field goal, 9:09. ''Broncos 10–0. '''Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 2:05.''''' Second quarter
• WAS – Ricky Sanders 80-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 14:07. ''Broncos 10–7. '''Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:10.'''''
• WAS – Gary Clark 27-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 10:15. ''Redskins 14–10. '''Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 2:44.'''''
• WAS – Timmy Smith 58-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 6:27. ''Redskins 21–10. '''Drive: 2 plays, 74 yards, 0:51.'''''
• WAS – Ricky Sanders 50-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 3:42. ''Redskins 28–10. '''Drive: 3 plays, 60 yards, 0:52.'''''
• WAS – Clint Didier 8-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 1:04. ''Redskins 35–10. '''Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 1:10.''''' Third quarter
• No scoring plays Fourth quarter
• WAS – Timmy Smith 4-yard run (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick), 13:09. ''Redskins 42–10. '''Drive: 4 plays, 68 yards, 2:03.''''' Top passers
• WAS – Doug Williams – 18/29, 340 yards, 4 TD, INT
• DEN – John Elway – 14/38, 257 yards, TD, 3 INT Top rushers
• WAS – Timmy Smith – 22 rushes, 204 yards, 2 TD
• DEN – Gene Lang – 5 rushes, 38 yards Top receivers
• WAS – Ricky Sanders – 9 receptions, 193 yards, 2 TD
• DEN – Mark Jackson – 4 receptions, 76 yards After defeating the Vikings in the NFC championship, the Redskins faced off against the AFC champion Denver Broncos, who were making their second-straight Super Bowl appearance. The Broncos faced off against the Browns in the AFC Championship Game, with Denver having a 38–31 lead in the waning minutes of the game. The Browns drove down the field and looked like they would score the game-tying touchdown, but running back Earnest Byner was stripped of the ball at the goal line by Bronco cornerback Jeremiah Castille and recovered the ball for Denver. This was the Redskins' fourth Super Bowl appearance and the third overall for the Broncos.

The Broncos jumped out to a 10–0 first quarter lead, with Denver finishing the quarter with 142 yards against Washington's 64. Starting quarterback Doug Williams briefly exited the game late in the first quarter and early in the second due to a possible leg injury, with Jay Schroeder entering the game. Williams's return to the game ignited a spark in the Redskins' offense, scoring 35-straight points to lead 35–10 at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, Washington would score the last points of the game in the fourth to go up 42–10. After a slow first quarter, the team would score 42 unanswered points and gained 602 yards of total offense.

Williams was named the game's MVP, finishing 18-of-29 for 340 yards, with four touchdowns, and one interception, breaking the Super Bowl record for most passing yards. Washington broke other Super Bowl records, including most rushing yards by a player (Timmy Smith, with 204), most receiving yards by a player (Ricky Sanders, with 193), and most extra points made (Ali Haji-Sheikh, with 6). The 45 combined points scored in the first half set the record for most points scored in a half, while the 7 points scored in the second half set the record for the fewest points scored in a half. This was Washington's second Super Bowl victory, having previously won Super Bowl XVII 27–17 over the Miami Dolphins.

Playoff game officials

Statistics

Team

Individual

References

References

1. Cohen, Rich. (2015-11-03). "The scabs who paved the way for the Redskins’ 1987 Super Bowl title".
2. The [[1982 Washington Redskins season. 1982 season]] also had a [[1982 NFL strike. players' strike]]
3. As of the [[2014 NFL season. 2014 season]], he is one of only two African-American quarterbacks to win a Super Bowl, the other being [[Russell Wilson]]; [[Steve McNair]], [[Donovan McNabb]] and [[Cam Newton]] have all started at quarterback in the Super Bowl, but each of the three lost their Super Bowl appearance.
4. "Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s".
5. "Redskins to Award 1987 Replacement Players with Super Bowl Rings".
6. Sports Illustrated, Oct. 27, 2008, p.24, Vol. 109, No. 16
7. [https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1987092009 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2026-Jan-21.
8. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198709200atl.htm Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons – September 20, 1987]
9. McKenna, Dave. (October 20, 2010). "Anthony Allen, Redskins Record-Holding Receiver, Gets Bounced From High School Job". [[Washington City Paper]].
10. [https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1987110109 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2026-Jan-23.
11. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198711010buf.htm Washington Redskins at Buffalo Bills – November 1, 1987]
12. [https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988011001 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2026-Jan-24.
13. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198801100chi.htm NFC Divisional Playoffs – Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears – January 10, 1988]