Washington Redskins: NFL 1964- Season Highlights

Source:Washington Redskins- QB Sonny Jurgensen. We can thank the Philadelphia Eagles, actually we should send them annual Christmas gifts, for giving away Sonny to us.

"Watch this NFL Year in Review from 1964 when quarterback Sonny Jurgensen comes to the Washington Redskins and wide receiver Charley Taylor is League Rookie of the Year." 

From the Washington Redskins

There are many reasons why the Redskins-Philadelphia Eagles has at least been a great NFL rivalry historically and I believe one of the most underrated rivalries in the NFL. 

Washington and Philadelphia are only 130 miles apart, which means the fans of both teams can go to the city to watch their team play. Both clubs are in the NFC East. Both clubs have been historically tough, physical, hardworking, blue-collar teams, at least during the Super Bowl era. Both teams have been good at the same time, for an extended period of time, like in the late 1980s and early 90s. 

I'm not saying the Redskins-Eagles rivalry started in 1964, when the Eagles traded Sonny Jurgensen to the Redskins for journeyman QB Norm Snead, the rivalry was already there. But if you look at the career that Sonny had and the career that Snead had and you look at what both teams did after this trade, with Eagles going into a drought where they would have 11 straight non winning seasons from 1967-77, 1 winning season from 1964-77. This trade was a steal for the Redskins and something the Eagles would spend the next 15 years trying to recover from, going through one QB after another after Sonny.

The Redskins didn't start winning right away under Sonny Jurgensen. They wouldn't have their first winning season with Sonny until 1969 under Vince Lombardi. But for the rest of the 1960s with Sonny at QB, and then add WR's Charley Taylor ,(perhaps the best WR ever) Bobby Mitchell, perhaps the first hybrid RB/WR, whose also in the Hall of Fame, and then Jerry Smith who should also be in the Hall of Fame, and the Redskins had one of the best offenses in the NFL during the 1960s decade. And would become consistent winners and a consistent playoff team in the 1970s with Sonny and would even win the NFC in 1972, with Sonny as their QB.  

6/07/2022 - Douglas John Musielak: "They will always be the Redskins to me." 

Erik Schneider: "Damn, straight!" 

From NFL Classic 

6/08/2022 - Benjamin Rice: "When RFK was new. Great old People's Drug sign. Was a great drugstore until it got gobbled up by CVS." 

Erik Schneider: "There was one in downtown Bethesda on the same street where I went to high school. It also had a Roy Rogers and Hot Shoppes, and a local bookstore. Great shopping center." 

Benjamin Rice: "nice. We used to go to the one at Arlington Rd and Bradley Blvd when I was growing up." 

Erik Schneider: "Small world." 

From NFL Classic

Redskins Chronicles: Cowboys Rivalry

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." 

Source:Eric Welshenbaugh- with a look at the Redskins-Cowboys rivalry.

From  Eric Welshenbaugh

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. 

NFL Films: NFL 1983-Week 7-MNF-Washington Redskins @ Green Bay Packers: Highlights

Source:NFL Films- The Redskins at Packers in 1983.

Source:The New Democrat 

“Chosen in 1999 by ESPN as the Greatest Game in the History of MNF. Side note: The fans chose the 1994 Chiefs Broncos game. Property of ESPN and NFL Films.” 

From Atom Jack Fuser

The Green Bay Packers were the definition of mediocrity in the 1980s. And it wasn’t that they were always average or middle of the road. But they would have great streaks and look like they’re returning as a contender and championship team that they were when they dominated the 1960s. And they would follow that up with really bad streaks and lose to bad teams and look like 5-11 or 4-12 team.

The Packers had two winning seasons in the 1980s: 1982 and 89 and 4 8-8 seasons, which is the definition of a mediocre team. They would play their best games against good teams, like the Redskins especially in prime time and at Lambeau Field. And then they would lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Detroit Lions. Or some other team that was pretty bad back then.

The Redskins, defending Super Bowl champions in 1983, 5-1 at this point with a five winning streak after losing to the Dallas Cowboys week 1. Looking to get back to the Super Bowl and repeat and had the team to do it. And of course only the San Francisco 49ers won more games and Super Bowls than the Redskins in the 1980s.

So this was a matchup of one of the premier teams of the NFL in the Redskins who were great in 1983 and had a great decade in the 1980s. Against a Packers team that couldn’t figure out if they were pretty good and back as a contender and champion in the NFC Central. Or were they 4-12, 5-11 team, sharing last place with the Lions and Buccaneers. And they generally settled for mediocrity instead.

NFL Films: NFL 1991-Washington Redskins Highlights

Source:The New Democrat

What I remember about the 1991 Redskins as a fifteen and sixteen year old, is how dominant they were. They didn't win games, but they simply beat teams on both sides of the ball. Probably the most physical defense that they've ever had. Which is saying something, because they were always big and strong on defense under Joe Gibbs in the 1980s. But if you watch the 1991 Redskins, you see them simply hammering the opposition on defense game after game. The Lions, Falcons and Eagles games come to mind very quickly.

What I remember about the 91 Redskins is all of those blowouts that they won. They scored 485 points and only gave up 224, which meant they more than double points that they gave up. You do that by winning a lot of blowouts. They had probably the best running game in the league that year with the best offensive line. And then add quarterback Mark Rypien who was pretty good and accurate when he had a running game and pass protection and throw in The Posse as his receivers. Art Monk, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders, someone was always open for Ryp to throw the ball to.

Not saying that the 91 Redskins are the best Redskins team ever, but they were the most dominant and perhaps the most complete. Really no weakness's on either side of the ball. But they played a fairly weak schedule, including the Falcons twice, the Lions twice. And then the AFC Central where the only winning team in that division was the Houston Oilers. I rather have Joe Theisman as my QB and John Riggins running the ball, with Dave Butz and Darryl Grant in the middle of my defense. With Dexter Manley as one defensive ends to go with Charles Mann. But the 91 Redskins are about as dominant a Super Bowl champion that has ever played.

HBO Sports: Lombardi (2011) Joining The Redskins

Source:HBO Sports- Redskins QB Sonny Jurgensen (1964-74)

"Hall of Famers Sam Huff and Sonny Jurgensen remember the huge impact Vince Lomabrdi had when he arrived at the Redskins... 

From HBO

When Vince Lombardi came to Washington to take over the Redskins in 1969, he wasn't taking over the worst franchise in the NFL. The Redskins were 5-9 in 1968 under head coach Otto Graham. Obviously not a good record, but Lombardi was taking over a club that hadn't won in a long time. 

Forget about playoffs (to paraphrase Jim Mora) the Redskins hadn't even had a winning season since 1955. Even with Sonny Jurgensen at QB, the best season that the Redskins had with Sonny pre-Lombardi, was 7-7 and they did that a few times. 

So when you see this video clip with Sonny Jurgensen and former New York Giants and Redskins LB Sam Huff, that's what they're talking about. They were talking about the situation that the Redskins were in pre-Vince Lombardi and what his place was to turn the franchise around. Which was about winning and teaching this team, that did have a good deal of talent on it, especially on offense, how to win, and what he expected from them. 

The thing that Vince Lombardi hated more than anything in life was losing. So no way in hell is he coming out of retirement, or leaving the Green Packers as their general manager, to take over another club and lose with them.  

You can also see this post at The New Democrat, on WordPress.

NFL Films: The 1972-73 Washington Redskins

Source:NFL Films- Washington Redskins Head Coach/General Manager George Allen (1971-77)

"This is old footage from 1972 that shows George Allen as Washington Redskins head coach and running-back and kickoff return specialist Herb Mul-Key (#28) filling in for an injured running back Larry Brown against the Buffalo Bills in 1972.  Mul-Key was a walk-on who would have had a much more notable career if he wasn't always playing hurt.  O.J. Simpson is also shown briefly in this video as well as old-timers Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer are also shown but the commentator seems to focus on Herb Mul-Key. I am not sure, but I think the last clip shown is Herb Mul-Key running back a 97-yard kickoff return against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973.  The next evening on ABC Monday Night Football 09/24/73 Howard Cosell made one of his verbal gaffs using the term "little monkey." 

From Howard Cosell Fan 

The 1972 Redskins didn't win the NFC Eastern Division Championship their first in thirty years or win the NFC Final their first in thirty years because they had overwhelming talent. They had very good talent with wide receivers Charlie Taylor, WR Roy Jefferson, tight end Jerry Smith and tailback Larry Brown. And on defense with people like defensive tackle Diron Talbert, linebacker Chris Hamburger, LB Jack Pardee and others, one of the best defenses in the NFL. I believe the best in the NFC that only gave up 217 points. They didn't accomplish these things because of great talent. They weren't the Cowboys Doomsday Defense, or the Vikings Purple People Eaters or the Rams Fearsome Foursome or the Steelers Steel Curtain.

They were a bunch of tough guys who could play who all had character, that all wanted to win and never were champions before. Thats why George Allen the Redskins head coach/general manager brought them to Washington to become champions. George Allen's whole philosophy was about the team, "how do I get forty men (as was the case back then) to play the best that they can and play together". (And I know this sounds corny)

But thats how George Allen operated. His favorite drink was milk probably because he didn't spend much time drinking other things or even thinking about other drinks that he liked, because he was all about his team. "How do I get them to play the best that they can and play together at the same time". And everything else including his family came after his team as his kids would tell you. In the 1960s the Redskins had a pass first explosive offense that was built around QB Sonny Jurgenson, WR Charlie Taylor, WR Bobby Mitchell and TE Jerry Smith. That didn't run the ball very well or play a lot of defense, sort of like the Miami Dolphins with Dan Marino in the 1980s.

But George Allen came from the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams where they played tough defense always had one of the best defenses in the NFL. With ball control offenses so thats exactly what he wanted to establish in Washington, but the difference being that he was able to bring those defenders to Washington. Diron Talbert, Jack Pardee, but had a lot more offensive talent to go with his defense, which made the Redskins very explosive on both sides of the ball.

Allen inherited a team that was like 5-9 in 1970 the year Vince Lombardi died and took them to 10-4 and into the NFC Playoffs and 11-3 in 1972 as they won the NFC East, beat the Cowboys in the 1972 NFC Final, became NFC Champions. And went to Super Bowl 7 where they lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins, but I believed the Redskins had the better team. The 1972 Redskins were a team that represent what a good team looks like, with star players, but other players on the team who are also good. But know their roles and everyone playing together and playing their roles.

George Allen was not perfect, the way he handled Sonny Jurgenson and Billy Kilmer and then later Joe Theisman. All three of them playing at the same time was a tragic mistake, that I believe cost him a championship. Sonny Jurgenson was clearly his best QB and should've led his teams until he retired instead of splitting time with Billy Kilmer. Who was at best a journeyman QB and a part-time starter and Joe Theisman should've replaced Jurgenson when Sonny retired. But George Allen's whole philosophy was built around "how to get the most out of my team at the same time to win as many games as possible" and he had a lot of success with that philosophy. 

You can also see this post at The New Democrat, on WordPress.

You can also see this post at FRS FreeState, on Blogger.

ABC Sports: NFL 1983- Monday Night Football - Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins: Highlights

Source:ABC Sports- Redskins QB Joe Theisman and kicker Mark Moseley, congratulating Cowboys QB Danny White.

Source:The New Democrat 

"This is one of the all-time great classic NFL games, and a classic rivalry game between the Cowboys and Redskins on September 5, 1983.

This Monday Night Football opener rates up there with the 1999 Dallas at Washington opener and others when it comes to Dallas Cowboys comeback games. At this time, Redskins were the defending Super Bowl Champs. The Cowboys had won every opening game from 1965-1981 Although they did lose the 1982 opener the previous year, it looked as if they were going to lose another here in 1983. 

The Cowboys looked bad. They had one reception in the first half. They had one great play with a Tony Dorsett 77 yard run as this is more well-known for the Redskins Darryl Green catching up to Dorsett and making the tackle. It was 23-3 Redskins at the half. Even Frank Gifford said Landry has problems, and Howard Cosell said the team is in disarray. Fans started yelling, "we want Dallas, we want Dallas". Well, they got Dallas, but not as they had hoped. 

The two half's were like two completely different games, with the opposing team not showing up to play. In the 3rd quarter, QB Danny White connected with WR Tony Hill immediately for a 76 yard TD pass, then a short time later another TD for 51 yards. At that time, Frank Gifford says "the Redskins are starting to get nervous"  By 2:25 left in the game, Dallas was ahead 31-23. 

Final result: Dallas 31 Washington 30.

This is from ESPN. I wanted to post the full game as well but it has been blocked. :(

For the record, the Cowboys started the season 7-0 and were eliminated in the playoffs and the Redskins did return to the Super Bowl but lost to the Raiders. 

Danny White was a fine QB, he had several great comeback games. Check out other comeback games:

- 1981 Atlanta Falcons playoff game

- 1982 vs Miami Dolphins

- 1984 vs New Orleans Saints" 

From ROG 

"1983 - Week 1 - Cowboys at Redskins - Monday Night Memory 

Source:Dave Volsky- Cowboys QB Danny White against the Redskins defense.

From Dave Volsky 

"In a game that will be dissected and cursed for days to come in Washington, the Dallas Cowboys rallied from a 23-3 halftime deficit last night to defeat the Redskins, 31-30, in a nationally televised season opener before a sellout of 55,045 at RFK Stadium.

The Redskins were so competent in every way in the first half, but the walls of their Jericho came crashing down in the second half.

After quarterback Danny White, held to one measly completion in the first half, threw touchdown passes of 75 and 51 yards to wide receiver Tony Hill, closing Dallas within 23-17 with 6:35 left in the third quarter, the Redskins' trouble multiplied again and again.

That's when, fittingly enough, Dallas became Dallas.

The Redskins missed a chance to take a 26-17 lead when Mark Moseley, good on three first-half field goal attempts, missed wide right on a 31-yarder with 9:24 left." 

Source:The Washington Post- the paper of record.

From The Washington Post 

"Summary: The defending Super Bowl Champions thought they had Opening Day in the bag. By halftime, they had limited their archrivals from Dallas to three points. But in the second half, the Cowboys ignored the feats of rookie cornerback Darrell Green and stormed out of the gate. Four touchdowns pushed Dallas to a 31-30 comeback win, avenging their defeat to Washington in the 1982 NFC Championship game."  

Source:Meta Critic- Redskins vs Cowboys at it's best.

From Meta Critic 

Interesting matchup in 1983 between the Cowboys and Redskins in this great rivalry and when at least it was a great rivalry. Perhaps the best in the NFL at the time. How times have changed in the last twenty-years or so as the Redskins has become at best a mediocre franchise, with Cowboys being a consistent playoff contender, but even when they make the NFC Playoffs, they don’t tend to do much in the playoffs.  

But what I believe made this Cowboys-Redskins matchup even more interesting, is that the shoe was on the other foot. (So to speak) Pre-1983 when they played the Cowboys were either the defending NFC or Super Bowl champions if not both, or they lost the NFC Final the year before. With the Redskins trying to either get back to the NFC Playoffs, or lost in the first round the year before. In 1983 the Redskins were the Super Bowl champions and beat the Cowboys in the NFC Final the year before.

Humanities Council: 'The Washington Redskins: Winning Years - RFK Stadium'

Source:Humanities Council- Redskins DE Charles Mann (1983-93) talking about RFK Stadium.

Source:The Daily Press

"This film was supported in part by a 30th Anniversary Grant from the Humanities Council of Washington, DC. It documents the glory years of the Washington Redskins football team from the early 80s to the mid 90s when they made four trips to the Super Bowl.

The documentary will be screened at the Yachad Our City Film Festival on Sunday, February 13th, 2011." 

From the Humanities Council

Free agency from the early 1990s which by in-large has been very good for the National Football League, but it killed the Redskins glory era, because it also came with a salary cap. And with the Redskins still being one of the top current franchises in the NFL as far as being consistent winners and a consistent playoff team, as well as playing in one of the biggest markets in the league where players wanted to come and play, it meant that the Redskins were something like 20-30 million-dollars over the first salary cap in the NFL in 1993-94. Free agency and the salary cap ended the Redskins as not just being a Super Bowl contender, but a consistent playoff team and even winner.

The Redskins moving out of RFK Stadium and downtown Washington in the late 1990s to Landover, Maryland and what is now Fed Ex Field, didn’t help either. Because the Redskins then were in transition from being a consistent 1st place team in the NFC East, to a team that was rebuilding and starting to become a playoff contender again. 

The Redskins losing RFK and downtown Washington, now they lost their huge, downtown, big city, home field advantage and that great atmosphere that they had at RFK Stadium. For this giant of a castle, or mansion in suburban Landover, Maryland where you might spend a couple of hours just trying to get to the stadium. Where the fans were no longer going to a see a good playoff team, but a team that was trying to win again.

The 1970s and 1980s and even early 1990s was great for the Redskins. Because they were consistent winners and making the playoffs consistently and even a consistent Super Bowl contender. That won five NFC championships and three Super Bowls. They were very well run under Ed Williams and later Jack Cooke, with George Allen and Bobby Beathard running the personal and Allen and Joe Gibbs with their great coaching staffs coaching the team. And they played in a great big city with great people and fans. And a stadium that was simply perfect for them.

RFK was round where you were on top of the action. Where you had an overhang on the top of the stadium that kept the sound in and where the stadium literally rocked. Where people loved their team and where the opposing teams had to ask the ref to tell the fans to shut up so they could hear what they were doing. 

The Redskins glory years officially ended when they left RFK Stadium and Washington for Landover. With Dan Snyder now in charge of the club and presiding over this football malaise that the Redskins have been in really since he took over the club in 1998. With a few exceptions and occasional playoff appearances.

The Redskins would do themselves a lot of good and this could perhaps be the one positive contribution that Dan Snyder makes to the Redskins and their great fans, by leaving Landover and coming back to RFK Stadium. Renovate the old RFK, knock out the top two decks of the stadium and build the new stadium on the first desk of the old stadium so they keep that rock and roll feeling that the stadium has. Where the fans are literally on top of the action. 

With a new RFK holding 90-100 thousand people that could host the Super Bowl and other major events, but that would be a great stadium for the Redskins again. Which is what I believe they need for them to become a great winning contending club again. It would be great for them, great for Washington and great for the fans as well.

Mike Richman: Redskins-Giants Rivalry

Source:Redskins Historian- Mike Richman, talking to Redskins radio announcer Larry Michael.

"In his weekly appearance on Redskins Nation during the 2012 season, Mike Richman discusses moments in Redskins history in relation to the upcoming Monday night game against the Giants.  Redskins Nation is hosted by Larry Michael, the "Voice of the Redskins."  You can also watch the show on Mike's web site at:Redskins Historian. Check it out!" 

From Redskins Historian 

"In his weekly appearance on Redskins Nation during the 2012 season, Mike Richman discusses moments in Redskins history in relation to the upcoming game against the Giants.  Redskins Nation is hosted by Larry Michael, the "Voice of the Redskins."  You can also watch the show on Mike's web site at:Redskins Historian. Check it out!" 

Source:Redskins Historian- Mike Richman.

From Redskins Historian 

I think the thing that you have to understand about the rivalry that the Redskins have with the New York Giants, is that it's part of the NFC East. So you have to understand the NFC East division in the NFL first and then when you have that down, following the Redskins-Giants rivalry, if you are familiar with the history of the two clubs against each other. 

If you look at the Redskins-Giants sort of the way you look at a prison and see how the gangs in the prison or gangs on the street try to coexist, then you can see why the Redskins and Giants don't like each other and I would argue hate each other, why the fans of both clubs hate each other. They're both in the NFC East, they're about 250 miles from each other and play each other on the weekends, which means their fans can make the trip to see their team play in the other's stadium. Both clubs are traditional winners (forgetting about the last 20 years for the Redskins) and both clubs want to win the NFC East every year, to make it easier to get to the NFC Playoffs. 

Both the Redskins and Giants when they're good, are tough, physical, teams that hit and tackle really hard and both go after the QB and like to nail the receivers after they catch the ball. You watch a normal Redskins-Giants game, even when one team is not having a winning season, you are going to see a lot of hard-hitting, you are are going to see a lot of little fights break out, you are going to see som questionable hits as well. 

My most memorable moment as a Redskins fan of this great rivalry, is a really bad one, actually I have 4 really bad ones, as well as a couple of good ones. Giants LB Lawrence Taylor and DE Leonard Marshall, breaking Redskins QB Joe Theisman's leg during that infamous Monday Night game in 1985. If there is any good news there, it's that Jay Schroeder became the QB and the Redskins came back to win that game and go on to have a winning season finishing at 10-6. They were 5-5 going into that game. 

During the the Giants first Super Bowl season in 1986, they beat the Redskins 3 times, including shutting them out during the NFC Championship 17-0. The Redskins were 13-5 that season with 3 of their losses coming against the Giants. They also lost to the Denver Broncos, so they lost to the Super Bowl teams 4 times that year and only lost 1 other game that entire season. Gives you an idea how good the 86 Redskins were. 

So 3 of my good memories of this rivalry would have to be in 87 when the Redskins swept the Giants, which probably cost the Giants a playoff spot that year. And one of those victories was a big comeback win when they were down 17 points in the 2nd half at homes. The Redskins also swept the Giants in 1991, their first victory over the Giants since 1987, was on a Sunday Night game at New York. And then in 1999, when the Redskins were looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 1992, they swept the Giants again. They probably don't win the NFC East that year had they not swept the Giants, because the Dallas Cowboys swept them. 

As the great football analyst John Madden says, you can't have a great rivalry unless the two teams involved are consistent winners and winning at the same time. I think that along with the Redskins and Giants being in the same division and being reasonably close to each other, and that both teams are traditionally, big, strong, and tough, is what makes this rivalry great and memorable.

Redskins Chronicles: Redskins-Eagles Rivalry

Source:Redskins Historian- talking Mike Richman talking to Redskins radio play by play announcer Larry Michael.

"In his weekly appearance on Redskins Nation during the 2012 season, Mike Richman discusses moments in Redskins history in relation to the upcoming game against the Eagles.  Redskins Nation is hosted by Larry Michael, the "Voice of the Redskins."  You can also watch the show on Mike's web site at:Redskins Historian. Check it out." 

From Mike Richman 

"The Redskins-Eagles Rivalry Since 1960" 

Source:Tyler Barney- the City of Brotherly Love?

From Tyler Barney 

"Elliot Harrison revisits the five-season peak of the Redskins-Eagles rivalry!" 

Source:NFL Throwback- with a look at the Redskins-Eagles rivalry.

From NFL Throwback

If I had the time to put together a list of the most under-appreciated rivalries in the NFL, I would have to put the Eagles-Redskins rivalry on that list. The two cities are only 130 miles apart, both both cities, big markets, a lot of tough, aggressive people in both cities, who love tough, physical football players and games. When both teams are good or at least competitive, the games are always great and meaningful, with loser facing tough consequences for losing that game. The fans fate each other and get into fights not just at the game, but on the way home as well (I have personal experience with this) and yet we don't hear much about this rivalry, at least nationally. 

There are several memorable games in this great rivalry. The Redskins going up to Philadelphia in 1982 to beat the Eagles, when the Redskins weren't respected yet and when the Eagles were still considered one of the best teams in the NFC at that point and the Redskins win the game on of course a Mark Moseley field goal. 

The Redskins go up to Philadelphia in 1985 in a must win for both teams, if they wanted to make the NFC Playoffs. If the Redskins win, they're still alive late in the season for the playoffs. If the Eagles win, they still have hope, but need a lot of help and if they lost, they're out of it completely. The Redskins win this game and knock the Eagles out of the NFC Playoffs.

The 1988 game when the Redskins go up to Philadelphia to play an Eagles teams that won the NFC East that year and the Redskins are 6-7 going into that game and the Redskins win that game on a late field goal.

The 1990 season obviously with the body bag game on Monday Night Football. But the Redskins go up to Philadelphia 3 months later and totally dominate the Eagles in the NFC Wildcard 20-6, almost completely shutting out the Eagles offense.

The Eagles didn't have QB Randall Cunningham for most of the 1991 season, but they come down to Washington on Monday Night Football and the Redskins completely shut them out. 

I'm sure Eagles fans have a lot of great wins over the Redskins that they could talk about. But this is one of the best, most competitive, physical rivalries in the NFL. Perhaps more hard-hitting and questionable hits in this rivalry, then you would see in a normal Redskins-Cowboys game. 

6/30/2022 - Justin Miller: "Giants Eagles was such a better rivalry during the Cunningham era." 

Erik Schneider: "Right, because those teams were better." 

From Real NFL Fans

Justin Miller: "not just that. You had Jersey split among the fan base. And some very memorable moments like a blocked FG returned for a TD to end a game. Cunningham punting it 91 yards and flipping into the end zone. The Giants always seemed to be the better team, but the Eagles would have their number." 

Erik Schneider: "I was referring the Redskins, Eagles, and Giants, all being better than the Cowboys in the late 1980s and early 90s, until the Cowboys took over in 92. That's why the rivalries that the Redskins had with the Giants and Cowboys, were better at that point as far as the quality of the games, then what those three teams still had with the Cowboys."

From Real NFL Fans

Justin Miller: "you were talking Eagles-Skins. I said I prefer Eagles-Giants. Nobody mentioned the Cowboys." 

Erik Schneider: "OK, you prefer Eagles-Giants. But I don't think you can argue that the Eagles were better than the Redskins during that period."

From Real NFL Fans

Justin Miller: "I didn't make that argument. I said they split NJ NY and Philly. I also said from memory there were some incredible Giants Eagles games that stack up with some of the best games ever. Maybe for Washington the Eagles were the biggest rival. And maybe in a given year for the Eagles it was Washington. But I think if you talk to most Eagles fans the Giants were the bigger rivalry." 

Erik Schneider: "As I said, you prefer the Giants-Eagles rivalry."

Justin Miller: "Both great Rivalries for sure. Giants were 23-18 versus the Eagles in the 80s and 90s. 4 games went into OT with 9 games decided by 3 points or less.

Washington was 22-21 in the 80s and 90s with two OT games with 9 games decided by 3 or less.

Coincidently Giants vs Washington during that time was 21-18-1with 1 OT game with 8 games decided by 3 or less. But includes the infamous hit by LT on Theismann." 

Erik Schneider: "Hum, "Giants vs Washington" I take it you are a Giants fan." 

From Real NFL Fans

Kim Jones: "See that's the problem with professional football. Fans think you got to hate your opponent to play the game. You are just pitting your skills against their skills. Whoever executes the best win" 

Erik Schneider: "We're talking about sports here (another way of saying not real) and yes the games and people involved are real, but words like hate get thrown around. What that really means is we hate to see our rivals do well, especially at our expense. Not that we personally hate the players, coaches, and fans from the other teams. Sports is an escape for most sports fans from their real world."

From NFL Classic

Adam Daniel Carman: "In the 80s and 90s all NFC East games were wars. Even the Cardinals didn't go easy." 

Erik Schneider: "Right, the Beasts of the East. Big East basketball was like that as well."

From NFL Classic

NFL Films: NFL 1972- Redskins Championship Week

Source:NFL Films- the Miami Dolphins meeting the Redskins, in Super Bowl 7.

Source:The Daily Press 

“Redskins Super Bowl Week 1972”

From Redskins Rey Hail 

I’m sure, actually I’m positive that the Redskins wanted to beat the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl 7. But beating the Dallas Cowboys in the 1972 NFC Final was their Super Bowl victory and championship that year. That is the goal that they set out to accomplish. Not that different from the 1982 Redskins that admitted to feeling better about beating the Cowboys in the 1982 NFC Final than beating the Dolphins in Super Bowl 17. The Super Bowl was sort of icing to the Cowboys victory.

That is how important these rivalry games are to teams. Especially the team that isn’t traditionally as successful as the other team. Which the Redskins are in the Redskins-Cowboys rivalry and perhaps hate the Cowboys more than the Cowboys hate the Redskins. And may if anything see other teams and games as more important to them.