USAT: Washington Wire audio clip

USAT: Washington Wire

Feb 5, 2022

This 2021 NFL season reminds us that 30 years ago Washington assembled its greatest team in franchise history, going 14-2 and racing through the playoffs to the Super Bowl XXVI championship and Vince Lombardi Trophy. - Divisional Playoff—Washington 24, Atlanta 7— January 4, 1992 - The two teams had met in Week 11 of the regular season in the rain at RFK, where Washington QB Mark Rypien enjoyed the best game of his career. On that day, Rypien had thrown six touchdown passes, gaining 442 yards through the air as Washington slaughtered the Falcons 56-17. - The weather for the rematch in the divisional round of the playoffs was worse, as it rained off and on throughout the game with wind gusts up to 35 mph and the RFK turf was a muddy mess. - Atlanta came to town talking loudly, strutting their stuff and Evander Holyfield and M.C. Hammer accompanied them on the sideline, Hammer having made a music video with the Falcons. - The Falcons being led by their vocal leaders, coach Jerry Glanville and Deion Sanders loved to talk. In the first quarter, Falcons’ wide receiver Andre Rison was talking smack and Redskin linebacker Wilber Marshall approached Rison, head-butting him. - The Washington defense hit harder than Atlanta could endure, applying pressure in the pocket all day and forcing six Atlanta turnovers. Meanwhile, Gerald Riggs pounded in touchdown runs from one and two yards, after Ricky Ervins had started the game’s scoring with his 17-yard run. - After leading 14-7 at the half, Washington was never threatened, winning 24-7 and it could have been worse, as Washington kicker Chip Lohmiller missed three field goals in the soggy conditions. - As the game’s ending drew near, suddenly a Redskins fan threw his yellow seat cushion out into the end zone. Then another fan, and another. Suddenly it appeared a couple of thousand yellow seat cushions were flying in the air all over the stadium, even from the upper deck, and voices rose louder and louder in celebration over another convincing Washington victory in the 1991 season. - - Monte Coleman, Danny Copeland, Martin Mayhew and Kurt Gouveia each had an interception, and Tim Stokes collected two QB sacks while Tim Johnson and Coleman each enjoyed one sack. - Ervins finished with 104 yards on 23 carries and Earnest Byner added 57 in his 14 carries. Gary Clark led receivers with six catches for 64 yards, Art Monk had three receptions for 45 yards. - Washington’s 24-7 win over Atlanta meant they would face the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship game the following weekend at RFK. Detroit had routed Dallas 38-6 in the other NFC Divisional playoff game at Detroit. - The AFC Divisional round saw John Elway lead a comeback win over Warren Moon and Houston 26-24, and Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas led Buffalo to an easy 37-14 win over Kansas City. -   -   - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Washington Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Washington Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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