# 1984 Washington Redskins season

The 1984 Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 53rd season in the National Football League. They failed to improve on their 14–2 record from 1983 and finished at 11–5. Art Monk set an NFL record (since broken) for most receptions in a season. The Redskins started the season losing their first two games but would recover to win their next five games. A mid-season slump had them on the playoff bubble at 7–5. However, the Redskins would finish the season in strong fashion winning their final four games to win the NFC East with an 11–5 record.
The Redskins quest for a third straight NFC Championship ended quickly as the Skins were stunned by the Chicago Bears 23–19 at RFK Stadium, Washington's only playoff loss at RFK. The 1984 Redskins have an NFL-record 14 straight games with 3 or more sacks, having accomplished that from weeks 3 to 16.

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Game recap |
| 1 | September 2 | Miami Dolphins | L 17–35 | 0–1 | RFK Stadium | 52,683 | Recap |
| 2 | September 10 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 31–37 | 0–2 | Candlestick Park | 59,707 | Recap |
| 3 | September 16 | New York Giants | W 30–14 | 1–2 | RFK Stadium | 52,997 | Recap |
| 4 | September 23 | at New England Patriots | W 26–10 | 2–2 | Sullivan Stadium | 60,503 | Recap |
| 5 | September 30 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 20–0 | 3–2 | RFK Stadium | 53,064 | Recap |
| 6 | October 7 | at Indianapolis Colts | W 35–7 | 4–2 | RCA Dome | 60,012 | Recap |
| 7 | October 14 | Dallas Cowboys | W 34–14 | 5–2 | RFK Stadium | 55,431 | Recap |
| 8 | October 21 | at St. Louis Cardinals | L 24–26 | 5–3 | Busch Memorial Stadium | 50,262 | Recap |
| 9 | October 28 | at New York Giants | L 13–37 | 5–4 | Giants Stadium | 76,192 | Recap |
| 10 | November 5 | Atlanta Falcons | W 27–14 | 6–4 | RFK Stadium | 51,301 | Recap |
| 11 | November 11 | Detroit Lions | W 28–14 | 7–4 | RFK Stadium | 50,212 | Recap |
| 12 | November 18 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 10–16 | 7–5 | Veterans Stadium | 63,117 | Recap |
| 13 | November 25 | Buffalo Bills | W 41–14 | 8–5 | RFK Stadium | 51,513 | Recap |
| 14 | November 29 | at Minnesota Vikings | W 31–17 | 9–5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 55,017 | Recap |
| 15 | December 9 | at Dallas Cowboys | W 30–28 | 10–5 | Texas Stadium | 64,286 | Recap |
| 16 | December 16 | St. Louis Cardinals | W 29–27 | 11–5 | RFK Stadium | 54,299 | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

#### Week 1 (Sunday, September 2, 1984): vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins (1–0) | 7 | 7 | 21 | 0 | 35 |
| Redskins (0–1) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: September 2, 1984
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C); relative humidity 62%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
* Game attendance: 52,683
* Referee: Bob McElwee
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| MIA | Passing | Dan Marino | 21/28, 311 YDS, 5 TDs |
| MIA | Rushing | Andra Franklin | 13 CAR, 48 YDS |
| MIA | Receiving | Mark Duper | 6 REC, 178 YDS, 2 TDs |
| WSH | Passing | Joe Theismann | 21/36, 204 YDS, 2 INTs |
| WSH | Rushing | John Riggins | 15 CAR, 98 TDS, 1 TD |
| WSH | Receiving | Charlie Brown | 6 REC, 60 YDS |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MIA | WSH |
| 1 | 1:44 | 6 | 69 | 3:20 | Dolphins | Duper 26-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 2 | 11:12 | 10 | 80 | 5:32 | Redskins | Riggins 1-yard touchdown run, Moseley kick good | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | 3:13 | 11 | 71 | 5:44 | Redskins | 32-yard field goal by Moseley | 7 | 10 |
| 2 | 2:06 | 3 | 82 | 1:07 | Dolphins | Duper 74-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 14 | 10 |
| 3 | 11:13 | 7 | 68 | 3:47 | Dolphins | Jensen 6-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 21 | 10 |
| 3 | 5:52 | 6 | 43 | 3:48 | Dolphins | Clayton 9-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 28 | 10 |
| 3 | 3:10 | 3 | 7 | 1:25 | Dolphins | Jensen 4-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 35 | 10 |
| 4 | 7:16 | 6 | 49 | 2:57 | Redskins | Washington 4-yard touchdown run, Moseley kick good | 35 | 17 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 35 | 17 |
* Point spread: Redskins by 4½
* Over/Under: 46.0 (over)
* Time of Game: 2 hours, 45 minutes
| Dolphins | Game Statistics | Redskins |
| 18 | First downs | 23 |
| 30–86 | Rushes–yards | 29–156 |
| 311 | Passing yards | 204 |
| 21–28–0 | Passes | 21–36–2 |
| 0–0 | Sacked–yards | 2–11 |
| 311 | Net passing yards | 193 |
| 397 | Total yards | 349 |
| 152 | Return yards | 148 |
| 5–45.8 | Punts | 4–43.8 |
| 0–0 | Fumbles–lost | 1–1 |
| 4–45 | Penalties–yards | 3–20 |
| 28:48 | Time of Possession | 31:12 |

#### Week 2 (Monday, September 10, 1984): at San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins (0–2) | 0 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 31 |
| 49ers (2–0) | 14 | 13 | 0 | 10 | 37 |
at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California
* Date: September 10, 1984
* Game time: 9:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C); wind 17 mph
* Game attendance: 59,707
* Referee: Dick Jorgensen
* TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play), Don Meredith (color commentator) and O. J. Simpson (color commentator)
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| WSH | Passing | Joe Theismann | 24/43, 331 YDS, 2 TDs |
| WSH | Rushing | Joe Theismann | 7 CAR, 35 YDS |
| WSH | Receiving | Art Monk | 10 REC, 200 YDS |
| SF | Passing | Joe Montana | 24/40, 381 YDS, 2 TDs |
| SF | Rushing | Wendell Tyler | 20 CAR, 96 YDS, 1 TD |
| SF | Receiving | Dwight Clark | 5 REC, 105 YDS, 1 TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | WSH | SF |
| 1 | 10:45 | | | | 49ers | Tyler 1-yard touchdown run, Wersching kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | 3:49 | | | | 49ers | Tyler 5-yard touchdown reception from Montana, Wersching kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 2 | 13:21 | | | | 49ers | 19-yard field goal by Wersching | 0 | 17 |
| 2 | 5:46 | | | | 49ers | 46-yard field goal by Wersching | 0 | 20 |
| 2 | 1:46 | | | | 49ers | Clark 15-yard touchdown reception from Montana, Wersching kick good | 0 | 27 |
| 2 | 0:00 | | | | Redskins | 38-yard field goal by Moseley | 3 | 27 |
| 3 | 10:46 | | | | Redskins | Brown 14-yard touchdown reception from Theismann, Moseley kick good | 10 | 27 |
| 3 | 5:05 | | | | Redskins | Riggins 1-yard touchdown run, Moseley kick good | 17 | 27 |
| 4 | 14:51 | | | | 49ers | Montana 9-yard touchdown run, Wersching kick good | 17 | 34 |
| 4 | 11:42 | | | | Redskins | Riggins 1-yard touchdown run, Moseley kick good | 24 | 34 |
| 4 | 9:49 | | | | 49ers | 38-yard field goal by Wersching | 24 | 37 |
| 4 | 3:44 | | | | Redskins | Seay 12-yard touchdown reception from Theismann, Moseley kick good | 31 | 37 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 31 | 37 |
* Point spread: 49ers by 2
* Over/Under: 52.0 (over)
* Time of Game:
| Redskins | Game Statistics | 49ers |
| 20 | First downs | 30 |
| 21–62 | Rushes–yards | 40–167 |
| 331 | Passing yards | 381 |
| 24–43–0 | Passes | 24–40–0 |
| 4–22 | Sacked–yards | 2–14 |
| 309 | Net passing yards | 367 |
| 371 | Total yards | 534 |
| 132 | Return yards | 74 |
| 7–36.6 | Punts | 3–34.7 |
| 3–0 | Fumbles–lost | 3–2 |
| 6–60 | Penalties–yards | 6–50 |
| 25:15 | Time of Possession | 34:45 |

#### Week 7 (Sunday, October 14, 1984): vs. Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys (4–3) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Redskins (5–2) | 7 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 34 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: October 14, 1984
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 63 degrees, relative humidity 61%, wind 14 mph
* Game attendance: 55,431
* Referee: Jerry Markbreit
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play-by-play) and John Madden (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Cowboys
Redskins :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | DAL | WSH |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 14 | 34 |
Time of Game:

#### Week 10 (Monday, November 5, 1984): vs. Atlanta Falcons

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Falcons (3–7) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Redskins (6–4) | 0 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 27 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: November 5, 1984
* Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 60 degrees, relative humidity 81%, wind 10 mph
* Game attendance: 51,301
* Referee: Red Cashion
* TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play), Don Meredith (color commentator) and O. J. Simpson (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Falcons
Redskins :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | ATL | WSH |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 14 | 27 |
Time of Game:

#### Week 15 (Sunday, December 9, 1984): at Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins (10–5) | 0 | 6 | 17 | 7 | 30 |
| Cowboys (9–6) | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
at Texas Stadium • Irving, Texas
* Date: December 9, 1984
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 58 degrees, relative humidity 67%, wind 13 mph
* Game attendance: 64,286
* Referee: Tom Dooley
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play-by-play) and John Madden (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Redskins
Cowboys :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | WSH | DAL |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 30 | 28 |
Time of Game:

#### Week 16 (Sunday, December 16, 1984): vs. St. Louis Cardinals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals (9-7) | 0 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 27 |
| Redskins (11-5) | 6 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 29 |
at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
* Date: Sunday, December 16, 1984
* Game time: 1:00pm(ET)
* Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), relative humidity 93%, wind 10 mph (16 km/h)
* Referee: Jerry Markbreit

## Playoffs

| Round | Date | Opponent (seed) | Result | Venue | Attendance | Game recap |
| Divisional | December 30 | Chicago Bears | L 19–23 | RFK Stadium | 55,431 | Recap |

### NFC Divisional Playoffs (Sunday, December 30, 1984): vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears (11–6) | 0 | 10 | 13 | 0 | 23 |
| Redskins (11–6) | 3 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 19 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: December 30, 1984
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), overcast
* Game attendance: 55,431
* Referee: Fred Silva
* TV announcers (CBS): Frank Glieber (play-by-play), Dick Vermeil (color commentator) and Irv Cross (sideline reporter)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Bears
Redskins :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | CHI | WSH |
| 1 | 7:57 | | | | Redskins | 35-yard field goal by Moseley | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | 11:29 | | | | Bears | 34-yard field goal by Thomas | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | 2:00 | | | | Bears | Dunsmore 19-yard touchdown reception from Payton, Thomas kick good | 10 | 3 |
| 3 | 14:34 | | | | Bears | Gault 75-yard touchdown reception from Fuller, Thomas kick no good | 16 | 3 |
| 3 | 9:35 | | | | Redskins | Riggins 1-yard touchdown run, Moseley kick good | 16 | 10 |
| 3 | 4:05 | | | | Bears | McKinnon 16-yard touchdown reception from Fuller, Thomas kick good | 23 | 10 |
| 3 | 0:05 | | | | Redskins | Riggins 1-yard touchdown run, Moseley kick good | 23 | 17 |
| 4 | 8:08 | — | — | — | Redskins | Finzer stepped out of the end zone | 23 | 19 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 23 | 19 |

## Standings

NFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| Washington Redskins$^{(2)}$ | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–3 | 8–4 | 426 | 310 | W4 |
| New York Giants$^{(5)}$ | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 5–3 | 7–7 | 299 | 301 | L2 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 5–3 | 6–6 | 423 | 345 | L1 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3–5 | 7–5 | 308 | 308 | L2 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 6 | 9 | 1 | .406 | 2–6 | 3–8–1 | 278 | 320 | L1 |

## Awards and records

* Art Monk, NFL Receptions Leader (106)
* John Riggins, NFL Rushing TD Leader (14, Tied)

### Milestones

* Art Monk, 1st 100 Reception Season
* John Riggins, breaks 10,000 career rushing yards
* First season sweep over the Dallas Cowboys in franchise history.
* Joe Theismann becomes Redskins all-time leader in passing attempts, passing completions and passing yards.