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| Source:Tyler Barney- with a look at the Redskins-Cowboys rivalry. |
"The Redskins-Cowboys Rivalry Since Oct 9, 1960"
From Tyler Barney
"Several Hall of Famers & NFL Legends are interviewed about what the Redskins vs. Cowboys rivalry means to the NFL dating back to when the Cowboys joined the league."
Just to be completely clear and honest: I don't think the Redskins-Cowboys rivalry is today, what it was in the 1970s and 80s, even in the early 1990s when both clubs were making the NFC Playoffs and even looking to win another Super Bowl. Not because the teams and fans stopped hating each other, but the Redskins haven't been consistent winners, let alone a consistent playoff team, or Super Bowl contender, since the early 1990s. And the Dallas Cowboys haven't been a consistent playoff team and Super Bowl contender, since they won their last Super Bowl in 1995. So the rivalry mean as much outside of Washington and Dallas, as it did in the 1970s and 80s and the games aren't as important anymore.
So what I'm going to do is to explain why the rivalry was I believe the best rivalry in the NFL in the 1980s and one of the best rivalries in the NFL in the 1970s.
As I've argued before, to be a great rivalry, you have to have to good franchises that are consistent winers and winning at the same time, and they need to be in the same conference, at least, if not division so they play each other on a regular basis.
The Cowboys and Redskins are both in the NFC East. We're talking about two of the winningest NFL franchises not just in the 1970s, but the 1980s, as well. 20 years of two franchises that hate each other, that play each other twice a year, that won a combined 4 Super Bowls, 9 NFC Championships, and 12 NFC East Championships, from the 1970s and 80s. Both teams want to win the NFC East every year, not just make the playoffs and both teams want to not just beat each other, but beat each other in the ground, so the other team always remembers it and that loss hurts them for the rest of their season.
My best memories as a Redskins fan in this rivalry,:
the Redskins beating the Cowboys in the 1982 NFC Championship, not just beating the Cowboys, but beating Cowboys QB Danny White into the ground and knocking him into the ground. (Thanks, Dexter Manley)
The Redskins beating the Cowboys at Dallas to win the NFC East in 1983, with RB John Riggins having a great game.
The Redskins sweeping the Cowboys in 1984 and not just winning the NFC East, but knocking the Cowboys out of the playoffs.
And the Redskins beating the Cowboys week 2 in 1991 on Monday Night Football.
