# 1991 Washington Redskins season

The 1991 season was the Washington Redskins' 60th in the National Football League (NFL), their 55th representing Washington, D.C., and the eleventh under head coach Joe Gibbs.
The Redskins were coming off two consecutive 10–6 seasons and looking to return to the playoffs for a second straight season. Not only did the Redskins improve their position, but they also put together a season that is considered by some to be one of the best any team has ever played. Washington won a franchise record-tying 14 games, the best record in the league, and their two losses (to two of their division rivals) were by a combined five points. The Redskins ended their campaign as world champions, knocking off the defending AFC Champion Buffalo Bills 37–24, in Super Bowl XXVI.
The Redskins led the league in scoring with 485 points and allowed the second-fewest points (224) in the league, which was an average of 14 points per game. (As of the 1991 season, this was the third-highest total in NFL history, and still ranks in the top 20 all-time.) They had a +18 turnover ratio, also best in the NFL. Their point differential of +261 was the best in franchise history, and the third-highest of all time. In 2016, Chris Chase of USA Today ranked the team as the greatest to ever win a Super Bowl. As of 2024, this is the most recent season Washington appeared in a Super Bowl. They would not return to the NFC Championship Game or win more than 10 regular season games again until the 2024 season, by which time the team had changed its name.
Statistics site Football Outsiders ranks the 1991 Redskins as the best team they have measured (from 1986 to present). The team ranked No. 15 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.

## The season

Quarterback Mark Rypien had an outstanding year. His 8.5 yards per pass attempt was second in the league, and his 3,564 passing yards were best in the NFC and fourth in the league. Running back Earnest Byner's 1,048 rushing yards were 5th best in the NFL. The Redskins had two wide receivers who went over 1,000 yards receiving in 1991: Gary Clark (1,340) and Art Monk (1,049).
The Redskins beat the Buffalo Bills 37–24 to win Super Bowl XXVI. The team is also the last Super Bowl champion to never trail in any of their playoff victories. The Redskins' Super Bowl XXVI win was their first in a non-strike season. With the championship, coach Joe Gibbs also became the first head coach to win three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks.
In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1991 Redskins as the 4th greatest team in NFL history, noting, "you can look at two stats to get a pretty good idea of just how great a team is: yards gained per pass attempt, and yards allowed per pass attempt. The 1991 'Skins topped the NFL in each category, with Mark Rypien averaging 8.5 yards per attempt, while his colleagues on Washington's defense allowed only 6 yards per attempt.... The 'Skins outscored their opponents 485–224, and they had a tough schedule. After going 14–2, they romped through the NFC playoffs, beating the Falcons 24–7 and demolishing the Lions 41–10 on their way to the Super Bowl. In the Big Game, the 'Skins beat the cursed early-1990s Bills 37–24."
Statistics site Football Outsiders has ranked the 1991 Redskins as the greatest team in their ratings history, stating that the team "may have been the most well-rounded team in NFL history. [...] A lot of the best teams in NFL history got a little extra boost by picking on an easy schedule, but not Washington. They had an average schedule, and a harder-than-average schedule of opposing defenses. One reason for that: 1991 was not only the year of the best overall team in [their rating system's] history. It was also the year of the best defense in [their system's] history, which showed up on Washington's schedule twice: the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles."

## Draft

1991 Washington Redskins Draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 17 | Bobby Wilson | DT | Michigan St. |
| 3 | 76 | Ricky Ervins | RB | USC |
| 6 | 159 | Dennis Ransom | TE | Texas A&M |
| 7 | 188 | Keith Cash | TE | Texas |
| 8 | 215 | Jimmy Spencer | DB | Florida |
| 9 | 243 | Charles Bell | DB | Baylor |
| 10 | 270 | Cris Shale | P | Bowling Green |
| 11 | 299 | David Gulledge | DB | Jacksonville St. |
| 12 | 326 | Keenan McCardell | WR | UNLV |

## Preseason

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | August 4 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 7–16 | 0–1 | Three Rivers Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | August 10 | at New England Patriots | W 27–6 | 1–1 | Foxboro Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | August 16 | Cleveland Browns | L 21–24 (OT) | 1–2 | RFK Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | August 24 | vs. New York Jets | L 9–13 | 1–3 | Williams–Brice Stadium | Recap |

## Regular season

Note: Division opponents are bolded

### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | September 1 | Detroit Lions | W 45–0 | 1–0 | RFK Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | September 9 | at Dallas Cowboys | W 33–31 | 2–0 | Texas Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | September 15 | Phoenix Cardinals | W 34–0 | 3–0 | RFK Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | September 22 | at Cincinnati Bengals | W 34–27 | 4–0 | Riverfront Stadium | Recap |
| 5 | September 30 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 23–0 | 5–0 | RFK Stadium | Recap |
| 6 | October 6 | at Chicago Bears | W 20–7 | 6–0 | Soldier Field | Recap |
| 7 | October 13 | Cleveland Browns | W 42–17 | 7–0 | RFK Stadium | Recap |
| 8 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 9 | October 27 | at New York Giants | W 17–13 | 8–0 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| 10 | November 3 | Houston Oilers | W 16–13 (OT) | 9–0 | RFK Stadium | Recap |
| 11 | November 10 | Atlanta Falcons | W 56–17 | 10–0 | RFK Stadium | Recap |
| 12 | November 17 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | W 41–14 | 11–0 | Three Rivers Stadium | Recap |
| 13 | November 24 | Dallas Cowboys | L 21–24 | 11–1 | RFK Stadium | Recap |
| 14 | December 1 | at Los Angeles Rams | W 27–6 | 12–1 | Anaheim Stadium | Recap |
| 15 | December 8 | at Phoenix Cardinals | W 20–14 | 13–1 | Sun Devil Stadium | Recap |
| 16 | December 15 | New York Giants | W 34–17 | 14–1 | RFK Stadium | Recap |
| 17 | December 22 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 22–24 | 14–2 | Veterans Stadium | Recap |

### Game summaries
#### Week 1

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Redskins | 21 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 45 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: September 1, 1991
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Clear; 76 °F (24 °C)
* Game attendance: 52,958
* Referee: Gordon McCarter
* TV announcers (TNT): Skip Caray (play-by-play) and Pat Haden (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Lions
Rodney Peete 8/22, 75 Yds, 3 INT
Cedric Jackson 10 Rush, 39 Yds
Don Overton 4 Rec, 38 Yds
Redskins
Mark Rypien 15/19, 183 Yds, 2 TD, INT
Earnest Byner 16 Rush, 83 Yds, TD
Gary Clark 6 Rec, 107 Yds, TD :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | DET | WSH |
| 1 | 5:37 | | | | Redskins | Riggs 1-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | 3:34 | | | | Redskins | Johnson 4-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 1 | 0:55 | — | — | — | Redskins | Mitchell 69-yard punt return, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 21 |
| 2 | 11:26 | | | | Redskins | Sanders 18-yard touchdown reception from Byner, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 28 |
| 2 | 1:03 | | | | Redskins | Byner 6-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 35 |
| 3 | 0:14 | | | | Redskins | Clark 38-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 42 |
| 4 | 7:45 | | | | Redskins | 26-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 0 | 45 |
| "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. | 0 | 45 |

#### Week 2

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 7 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 33 |
| Cowboys | 14 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 31 |
at Texas Stadium • Irving, Texas
* Date: September 9, 1991
* Game time: 9:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Clear; 81 °F (27 °C); wind 11
* Game attendance: 63,025
* Referee: Jerry Markbreit
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels (play-by-play), Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford (color commentators)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Redskins
Mark Rypien 14/26, 203 Yds, 2 TD, INT
Earnest Byner 22 Rush, 101 Yds
Ricky Sanders 5 Rec, 85 Yds
Cowboys
Troy Aikman 27/42, 242 Yds, 3 TD
Emmitt Smith 11 Rush, 112 Yds, TD
Emmitt Smith 8 Rec, 42 Yds, TD :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | WSH | DAL |
| 1 | 8:23 | | | | Cowboys | Novacek 3-yard touchdown reception from Aikman, Willis kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | 4:47 | | | | Redskins | Johnson 3-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 7 | 7 |
| 1 | 3:48 | | | | Cowboys | Smith 75-yard touchdown run, Willis kick good | 7 | 14 |
| 2 | 14:15 | | | | Redskins | 53-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 10 | 14 |
| 2 | 5:42 | | | | Cowboys | Smith 5-yard touchdown reception from Aikman, Willis kick good | 10 | 21 |
| 2 | 4:18 | | | | Redskins | Monk 37-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 17 | 21 |
| 2 | 0:08 | | | | Redskins | 52-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 20 | 21 |
| 3 | 11:53 | | | | Redskins | 45-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 23 | 21 |
| 3 | 6:08 | | | | Cowboys | 51-yard field goal by Willis | 23 | 24 |
| 4 | 12:48 | | | | Redskins | Riggs 1-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 30 | 24 |
| 4 | 5:39 | | | | Redskins | 46-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 33 | 24 |
| 4 | 0:02 | | | | Cowboys | Irvin 6-yard touchdown reception from Aikman, Willis kick good | 33 | 31 |
| "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. | 33 | 31 |

#### Week 3

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Redskins | 7 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 34 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: September 15, 1991
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Clear; 76 °F (24 °C)
* Game attendance: 54,662
* Referee: Tom White
* TV announcers (CBS): James Brown (play-by-play) and Randy Cross (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Cardinals
Tom Tupa 13/24, 120 Yds, 3 INT
Johnny Johnson 8 Rush, 27 Yds
Tim Jorden 5 Rec, 36 Yds
Redskins
Mark Rypien 15/23, 181 Yds, TD
Earnest Byner 23 Rush, 109 Yds, TD
Gary Clark 5 Rec, 72 Yds :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | PHO | WSH |
| 1 | 8:37 | | | | Redskins | Byner 2-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 14:07 | | | | Redskins | Sanders 10-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 3 | 9:52 | | | | Redskins | Clark 28-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 21 |
| 3 | 7:06 | — | — | — | Redskins | Interception returned 55 yards for touchdown by Marshall, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 28 |
| 4 | 14:09 | | | | Redskins | 49-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 0 | 31 |
| 4 | 6:29 | | | | Redskins | 48-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 0 | 34 |
| "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. | 0 | 34 |

#### Week 4

Washington would not beat the Bengals again until 2020.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 3 | 21 | 3 | 7 | 34 |
| Bengals | 7 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 27 |
at Riverfront Stadium • Cincinnati
* Date: September 22, 1991
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy; 59 °F (15 °C)
* Game attendance: 52,038
* Referee: Stan Kemp
* TV announcers (CBS): Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Redskins
Mark Rypien 15/23, 217 Yds, INT
Earnest Byner 18 Rush, 75 Yds
Gary Clark 6 Rec, 53 Yds
Bengals
Boomer Esiason 18/37, 212 Yds, INT
Craig Taylor 5 Rush, 56 Yds
Tim McGee 4 Rec, 97 Yds :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | WSH | CIN |
| 1 | 10:20 | | | | Redskins | 40-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 3 | 0 |
| 1 | 0:58 | | | | Bengals | Brooks 5-yard touchdown run, Breech kick good | 3 | 7 |
| 2 | 9:08 | | | | Redskins | Riggs 1-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 10 | 7 |
| 2 | 5:38 | | | | Bengals | 46-yard field goal by Breech | 10 | 10 |
| 2 | 3:48 | | | | Redskins | Riggs 1-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 17 | 10 |
| 2 | 2:13 | — | — | — | Redskins | Mitchell 66-yard punt return for a touchdown, Lohmiller kick good | 24 | 10 |
| 3 | 12:01 | | | | Redskins | 26-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 27 | 10 |
| 3 | 6:12 | | | | Bengals | Taylor 1-yard touchdown run, Breech kick good | 27 | 17 |
| 3 | 1:37 | | | | Bengals | Taylor 34-yard touchdown run, Breech kick good | 27 | 24 |
| 4 | 9:48 | | | | Bengals | 25-yard field goal by Breech | 27 | 27 |
| 4 | 2:02 | | | | Redskins | Riggs 7-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 34 | 27 |
| "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. | 34 | 27 |

#### Week 5

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Redskins | 0 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 23 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: September 30, 1991
* Game time: 9:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Clear; 64 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 55,198
* Referee: Bob McElwee
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels (play-by-play), Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford (color commentators)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Eagles
Jim McMahon 4/6, 32 Yds
Heath Sherman 12 Rush, 38 Yds
Fred Barnett 2 Rec, 19 Yds
Redskins
Mark Rypien 13/23, 204 Yds, TD, 2 INT
Earnest Byner 29 Rush, 95 Yds, TD
Art Monk 3 Rec, 33 Yds, TD :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | PHI | WSH |
| 2 | 7:56 | | | | Redskins | Monk 19-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 3:26 | | | | Redskins | 37-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 0 | 10 |
| 3 | 4:38 | | | | Redskins | 35-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 0 | 13 |
| 4 | 11:21 | | | | Redskins | Byner 7-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 20 |
| 4 | 0:11 | | | | Redskins | 27-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 0 | 23 |
| "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. | 0 | 23 |

#### Week 6

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
at Soldier Field • Chicago
* Date: October 6, 1991
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy; 43 °F (6 °C)
* Game attendance: 64,961
* Referee: Bernie Kukar
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play-by-play) and John Madden (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Redskins
Mark Rypien 18/31, 168 Yds, 2 TD, INT
Earnest Byner 21 Rush, 63 Yds
Art Monk 6 Rec, 69 Yds, 2 TD
Bears
Jim Harbaugh 17/41, 206 Yds, 3 INT
Neal Anderson 18 Rush, 73 Yds, TD
Ron Morris 5 Rec, 106 Yds :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | WSH | CHI |
| 2 | 10:25 | | | | Redskins | 47-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | 1:53 | | | | Redskins | Monk 26-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 10 | 0 |
| 3 | 1:42 | | | | Bears | Anderson 1-yard touchdown run, Butler kick good | 10 | 7 |
| 4 | 6:20 | | | | Redskins | Monk 5-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 17 | 7 |
| 4 | 4:26 | | | | Redskins | 23-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 20 | 7 |
| "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. | 20 | 7 |

#### Week 7

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Browns | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
| Redskins | 7 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 42 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: October 13, 1991
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Clear; 55 °F (13 °C)
* Game attendance: 54,715
* Referee: Tom Dooley
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Todd Christensen (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Browns
Bernie Kosar 21/29, 266 Yds
Kevin Mack 14 Rush, 70 Yds
Kevin Mack 6 Rec, 53 Yds
Redskins
Mark Rypien 16/22, 190 Yds, TD
Ricky Ervins 13 Rush, 133 Yds, 2 TD
Art Monk 7 Rec, 106 Yds, TD :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | CLE | WSH |
| 1 | 3:33 | | | | Redskins | Monk 14-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | 0:25 | | | | Browns | Slaughter 11-yard touchdown reception from Hansen, Stover kick good | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | 11:29 | | | | Redskins | Riggs 1-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 7 | 14 |
| 2 | 4:14 | | | | Redskins | Byner 21-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 7 | 21 |
| 3 | 8:25 | | | | Browns | 26-yard field goal by Stover | 10 | 21 |
| 3 | 8:07 | — | — | — | Browns | Fumble recovery returned 37 yards for touchdown by Newsome, Stover kick good | 17 | 21 |
| 3 | 5:09 | | | | Redskins | Ervins 12-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 17 | 28 |
| 4 | 8:10 | | | | Redskins | Riggs 1-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 17 | 35 |
| 4 | 6:48 | | | | Redskins | Ervins 65-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 17 | 42 |
| "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. | 17 | 42 |

#### Week 9

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 17 |
| Giants | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: October 27, 1991
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Partly cloudy; 64 °F (18 °C); wind 9
* Game attendance: 76,627
* Referee: Jerry Markbreit
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Joe Theismann (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Redskins
Mark Rypien 12/25, 159 Yds, 2 TD, INT
Ricky Ervins 20 Rush, 82 Yds
Gary Clark 3 Rec, 70 Yds, 2 TD
Giants
Jeff Hostetler 14/21, 137 Yds, INT
Rodney Hampton 21 Rush, 83 Yds, TD
Rodney Hampton 6 Red, 39 Yds :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | WSH | NYG |
| 1 | 8:35 | | | | Giants | 26-yard field goal by Allegre | 0 | 3 |
| 1 | 1:20 | | | | Giants | Hampton 1-yard touchdown run, Allegre kick good | 0 | 10 |
| 2 | 1:40 | | | | Giants | 36-yard field goal by Allegre | 0 | 13 |
| 3 | 0:42 | | | | Redskins | Clark 7-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 7 | 13 |
| 4 | 12:50 | | | | Redskins | Clark 54-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 14 | 13 |
| 4 | 0:51 | | | | Redskins | 35-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 17 | 13 |
| "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. | 17 | 13 |

#### Week 10

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Oilers | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
| Redskins | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 16 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: November 3, 1991
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Cloudy; 48 °F (9 °C)
* Game attendance: 55,096
* Referee: Gerry Austin
* TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Paul Maguire (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Oilers
Warren Moon 25/44, 250 Yds, 2 INT
Lorenzo White 11 Rush, 14 Yds, TD
Drew Hill 9 Rec, 83 Yds
Redskins
Mark Rypien 21/34, 195 Yds, INT
Earnest Byner 21 Rush, 112 Yds, TD
Art Monk 8 Rec, 62 Yds :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | HOU | WSH |
| 2 | 14:12 | | | | Redskins | 21-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | 2:00 | | | | Oilers | 24-yard field goal by Howfield | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | 0:03 | | | | Oilers | 23-yard field goal by Howfield | 6 | 3 |
| 3 | 0:20 | | | | Redskins | 20-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 14:10 | | | | Redskins | Byner 23-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 6 | 13 |
| 4 | 1:42 | | | | Oilers | White 1-yard touchdown run, Howfield kick good | 13 | 13 |
| OT | 10:59 | | | | Redskins | 41-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 13 | 16 |
| "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. | 13 | 16 |

#### Week 11

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Falcons | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
| Redskins | 7 | 21 | 7 | 21 | 56 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: November 10, 1991
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Cloudy; 39 °F (4 °C)
* Game attendance: 52,641
* Referee: Dale Hamer
* TV announcers (CBS): James Brown (play-by-play), Randy Cross (color commentator) and Lesley Visser (sideline reporter)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Falcons
Billy Joe Tolliver 14/31, 243 Yds, 2 TD, INT
Mike Rozier 11 Rush, 45 Yds
Andre Rison 7 Rec, 72 Yds, TD
Redskins
Mark Rypien 16/31, 442 Yds, 6 TD
Ricky Ervins 16 Rush, 39 Yds
Art Monk 7 Rec, 164 Yds, 2 TD :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | ATL | WSH |
| 1 | 9:52 | | | | Falcons | 31-yard field goal by Johnson | 3 | 0 |
| 1 | 5:43 | | | | Redskins | Orr 9-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 3 | 7 |
| 2 | 7:28 | | | | Redskins | Clark 61-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 3 | 14 |
| 2 | 1:55 | | | | Redskins | Rypien 4-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 3 | 21 |
| 2 | 0:37 | | | | Redskins | Clark 19-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 3 | 28 |
| 3 | 14:41 | | | | Falcons | Haynes 75-yard touchdown reception from Tolliver, Johnson kick good | 10 | 28 |
| 3 | 12:18 | | | | Falcons | Rison 15-yard touchdown reception from Tolliver, Johnson kick good | 17 | 28 |
| 3 | 10:13 | | | | Redskins | Monk 19-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 17 | 35 |
| 4 | 12:12 | | | | Redskins | Clark 82-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 17 | 42 |
| 4 | 10:00 | | | | Redskins | Monk 64-yard touchdown reception from Rypien, Lohmiller kick good | 17 | 49 |
| 4 | 0:52 | | | | Redskins | Interception returned 15 yards for touchdown by Collins, Lohmiller kick good | 17 | 56 |
| "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. | 17 | 56 |

#### Week 12

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Redskins | 7 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 41 |
| Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |

#### Week 13

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Cowboys | 0 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
| Redskins | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |

#### Week 14

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Redskins | 7 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 27 |
| Rams | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |

#### Week 15

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Redskins | 0 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 20 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |

#### Week 16

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| • Redskins | 7 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 34 |

#### Week 17

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 3 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 22 |
| • Eagles | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 24 |

### Standings

NFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(1)}$ Washington Redskins | 14 | 2 | 0 | .875 | 6–2 | 10–2 | 485 | 224 | L1 |
| $^{(5)}$ Dallas Cowboys | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–3 | 8–4 | 342 | 310 | W5 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–3 | 6–6 | 285 | 244 | W1 |
| New York Giants | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 3–5 | 5–7 | 281 | 297 | W1 |
| Phoenix Cardinals | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–7 | 3–11 | 196 | 344 | L8 |

## Playoffs
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent (seed) | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| Divisional | January 4 | Atlanta Falcons (6) | W 24–7 | 1–0 | Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| Championship | January 12 | Detroit Lions (2) | W 41–10 | 2–0 | Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| Super Bowl XXVI | January 26 | Buffalo Bills (A1) | W 37–24 | 3–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | Recap |

### Game summaries
#### NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs Atlanta Falcons

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Falcons | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Redskins | 0 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: January 4, 1992 (Sat)
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Heavy rain with strong winds; 49 °F (9 °C)
* Game attendance: 55,181
* Referee: Red Cashion
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Dan Fouts (color commentator) and Lesley Visser (sideline reporter)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Falcons
Chris Miller 17/32, 178 Yds, 4 INT
Tracy Johnson 8 Rush, 33 Yds, TD
Andre Rison 7 Rec, 62 Yds
Redskins
Mark Rypien 14/29, 170 Yds, INT
Ricky Ervins 23 Rush, 104 Yds, TD
Gary Clark 6 Rec, 64 Yds :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | ATL | WSH |
| 2 | 12:36 | | | | Redskins | Ervins 17-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 9:25 | | | | Redskins | Riggs 2-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 2 | 0:57 | | | | Falcons | Johnson 1-yard touchdown run, Johnson kick good | 7 | 14 |
| 3 | 6:54 | | | | Redskins | 24-yard field goal by Lohmiller | 7 | 17 |
| 4 | 6:32 | | | | Redskins | Riggs 1-yard touchdown run, Lohmiller kick good | 7 | 24 |
| "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. | 7 | 24 |

#### NFC Championship Game: vs Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Redskins | 10 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 41 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: January 12 (Sun)
* Game time: 4 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Clear skies; 40 °F (4 °C)
* Game attendance: 55,858
* Referee: Bob McElwee
* TV announcers: Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator)
* Box Score
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | DET | WSH |
| 1 | 13:54 | | | | WSH | Gerald Riggs 2-yard touchdown run, Chip Lohmiller kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | 11:58 | | | | WSH | 20-yard field goal by Chip Lohmiller | 0 | 10 |
| 2 | 12:35 | | | | DET | Willie Green 18-yard touchdown reception from Erik Kramer, Eddie Murray kick good | 7 | 10 |
| 2 | 7:44 | | | | WSH | Gerald Riggs 3-yard touchdown run, Chip Lohmiller kick good | 7 | 17 |
| 2 | 0:37 | | | | DET | 30-yard field goal by Eddie Murray | 10 | 17 |
| 3 | 11:52 | | | | WAS | 28-yard field goal by Chip Lohmiller | 10 | 20 |
| 3 | 2:23 | | | | WSH | Gary Clark 45-yard touchdown reception from Mark Rypien, Chip Lohmiller kick good | 10 | 27 |
| 4 | 10:45 | | | | WSH | Art Monk 21-yard touchdown reception from Mark Rypien, Chip Lohmiller kick good | 10 | 34 |
| 4 | 10:11 | | | | WSH | Interception returned 32 yards for touchdown by Darrell Green, Chip Lohmiller kick good | 10 | 41 |
| "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. | 10 | 41 |

#### Super Bowl XXVI: vs Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 0 | 17 | 14 | 6 | 37 |
| Bills | 0 | 0 | 10 | 14 | 24 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome • Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: January 26
* Game time: 6:18 pm. EST
* Game weather: Played indoors, domed stadium
* Referee: Jerry Markbreit
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator), and Lesley Visser (sideline reporter)
* Box Score
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | WSH | BUF |
| 2 | 13:02 | 7 | 64 | 2:40 | WSH | 34-yard field goal by Chip Lohmiller | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | 9:54 | 5 | 51 | 2:12 | WSH | Earnest Byner 10-yard touchdown reception from Mark Rypien, Chip Lohmiller kick good | 10 | 0 |
| 2 | 7:17 | 5 | 55 | 2:18 | WSH | Gerald Riggs 1-yard touchdown run, Chip Lohmiller kick good | 17 | 0 |
| 3 | 14:44 | 1 | 2 | 0:03 | WSH | Gerald Riggs 2-yard touchdown run, Chip Lohmiller kick good | 24 | 0 |
| 3 | 11:59 | 11 | 77 | 2:45 | BUF | 21-yard field goal by Scott Norwood | 24 | 3 |
| 3 | 5:58 | 6 | 56 | 2:19 | BUF | Thurman Thomas 1-yard touchdown run, Scott Norwood kick good | 24 | 10 |
| 3 | 1:24 | 11 | 79 | 4:34 | WSH | Gary Clark 30-yard touchdown reception from Mark Rypien, Chip Lohmiller kick good | 31 | 10 |
| 4 | 14:54 | 4 | 7 | 0:57 | WSH | 25-yard field goal by Chip Lohmiller | 34 | 10 |
| 4 | 11:36 | 5 | 11 | 2:30 | WSH | 39-yard field goal by Chip Lohmiller | 37 | 10 |
| 4 | 5:59 | 15 | 79 | 5:37 | BUF | Pete Metzelaars 2-yard touchdown reception from Jim Kelly, Scott Norwood kick good | 37 | 17 |
| 4 | 3:55 | 9 | 50 | 2:04 | BUF | Don Beebe 4-yard touchdown reception from Jim Kelly, Scott Norwood kick good | 37 | 24 |
| "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. | 37 | 24 |

## Statistics
### Passing

| Player | G | Comp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | TD | INT |
| Mark Rypien | 16 | 249 | 421 | 59.1 | 3,564 | 28 | 11 |
| Jeff Rutledge | 16 | 11 | 22 | 50.0 | 189 | 1 | 0 |

### Rushing

| Player | G | Att. | Yards | Avg. | TD |
| Earnest Byner | 16 | 274 | 1,048 | 3.8 | 5 |
| Ricky Ervins | 15 | 145 | 680 | 4.7 | 3 |
| Gerald Riggs | 16 | 78 | 248 | 3.2 | 11 |

### Receiving

| Player | G | Rec. | Yards | Y/G | Avg. | TD |
| Art Monk | 16 | 71 | 1,049 | 65.6 | 14.8 | 8 |
| Gary Clark | 16 | 70 | 1,340 | 83.8 | 19.1 | 10 |
| Ricky Sanders | 16 | 45 | 580 | 36.3 | 12.9 | 5 |
| Earnest Byner | 16 | 34 | 308 | 19.3 | 9.1 | 0 |
| Ricky Ervins | 16 | 16 | 181 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 1 |
| Terry Orr | 16 | 10 | 201 | 12.6 | 20.1 | 4 |

### Kicking

| Player | FGM | FGA | Pct. | XPM | XPA | Pct. |
| Chip Lohmiller | 31 | 43 | 72.1 | 56 | 56 | 100.0 |

## Awards and records

* Mark Rypien, Super Bowl Most Valuable Player
* Mark Rypien, UPI NFC Player of the Year
* Mark Rypien, Pro Bowl Selection

### Milestones

* November 10, 1991 – Mark Rypien threw for 442 yards and 6 touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons, despite being taken out of the game in the middle of the 4th quarter; when Atlanta did the same, their third-string quarterback, a rookie named Brett Favre, made his NFL debut – and his first pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. On that same day, Warren Moon of the Houston Oilers threw for over 400 yards as well in an overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys.

### Legacy

In 2010, ESPN conducted a "super league," consisting of the best Super Bowl winning teams of all time; the 1991 Redskins finished the regular season in first place with a record of 14-2 and beat the 1992 Dallas Cowboys in the "Super Bowl" to be named the greatest team of all time. Football Outsiders also has them ranked as the best Super Bowl-winning team in NFL history based on their advanced analysis.