This Day in Redskins History, December 20

This day in Redskins history

1970, Redskins beat the St. Louis Cardinals by one point at RFK, 28-27 after watching a 15-point lead nearly disappear in the second half. The Redskins finished 6-8 that year, and were coached by Bill Austin, the one year fix between Vince Lombardi, who had died of cancer after leading the Redskins to a 7-5-1 record in 1969 (a good year for your blogger), the best Redskins record in 13 years, and the arrival of George Allen (not Senator Severed Deerhead in the Mailbox, his father) who would usher in the modern age of Redskins football.

1981, capping off Joe Gibbs' first season as head coach, Redskins whomp Los Angeles Rams, 30-7 at RFK. Joe Gibbs had opened his first season as a head coach 0-5, then rallied with an 8-3 to finish 8-8. Hrmmm...that story sounds familiar...oh yeah, Marty Schottenheimer did this in 2001, then was fired after one year because that slut Steve Spurrier showed Dan Snyder a little leg. What did Joe Gibbs do in his second year? Go to the Super Bowl. What did he do in his third year? Go to the Super Bowl. The first in a career of brilliant moves by Dan Snyder.

1987, Dan Marino brings the Dolphins back from behind to win 23-21 at Joe Robbie Stadium. This game featured three lead changes in the fourth quarter. The Redskins would finish the season 11-5, win the division and go on to beat the Broncos 42-10 in Super Bowl 22. But because this was a strike season, sooooooome people will never accept the legitimacy of this Super Bowl. To them I say feh.

1992, with the division title on the line, the Redskins lose in Veterans Stadium to the Eagles, 17-13. On the final drive, down four points, Mark Rypien drove the Redskins down to the Eagles 3 yard line where Eric Allen stepped in front of Gary Clark three yards into the end zone to swat away a fourth down pass. I remember this game like it was yesterday. The Redskins would finish 9-7, make it into the playoffs with help, and both teams would win one, lose one.

2006, pithy Redskins blogger refers to own post recapping the day in Redskins history.



Redskins logo from 1937 to 1951: sportslogos.net