This week 40 years ago, the Washington Redskins defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-17 behind 17 unanswered points in the second half to capture Super Bowl XVII and hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the first time in franchise history.
A week after defeating the Dallas Cowboys 31-17 in the NFC Championship game (which Kevin Sheehan calls the most memorable win in franchise history), Joe Gibbs completed the strike-shortened season with a Super Bowl win in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl.
The Dolphins jumped out to an early lead on a 76-yard touchdown pass from David Woodley to Jimmy Cefalo on their second drive. The teams traded field goals before "the Fun Bunch's" Alvin Garett's four-yard touchdown reception from Joe Theismann tied the score with under two minutes to go before the half. But Fulton Walker's 98-yard kickoff return gave Miami a 17-10 halftime lead after Washington failed to get a field goal attempt off before the interval.
But the second half was marked by Washington dominating on both sides of the ball. And in the fourth quarter, Riggins' 43-yard touchdown run proved to be the game's signature play. The Super Bowl MVP would finish with 166 yards on 38 carries (4.37 yards per attempt) with 97 yards coming after the half. Riggins would set Super Bowl records for rushing yards and rushing attempts.
"Riggo, the best big-time performer in our town's history. Period," Sheehan said.
Not to be overlooked, Washington's defense, which outside the long touchdown pass, was faultless all night allowing just 176 yards of offense, forcing two turnovers and did not surrender a completion in the second half, as Woodley went 0-for-8 before Don Strock entered and went 0-for-3.
Follow @BenKrimmel and @Team980 for more.
Related
Related
