Our Redskins heritage series continues this week as we get set for another big road game with a division rival. Sunday, we’re in Philadelphia. Like last week, we’ll split the historical reflection into two parts, the good and the bad. And like last week, we’ll get the bad out of the way first.
The glory years of the ‘Skins-Eagles rivalry were the late 1980s and early 1990s. With Coach Gibbs at the helm in D.C., and Buddy Ryan in Philadelphia, both teams were contenders at the same time. We can ungraciously point out to our Eagle fan friends, that the key difference between the two was that Washington found a way to win big games, while the Birds generally didn’t. But there were a few exceptions in our head-to-head battles.
Bad news has to start with a Monday Night Game in 1990. It’s infamously known in Redskins history as “The Body Bag Game.” Philadelphia’s ferocious defensive front, keyed by Reggie White and Seth Joyner, knocked both Mark Rypien and Stan Humphries out of the game. The latter on such a hard hit, that White instantly rose to his feet and began summoning the medical staff. A classy act from a classy player, who just couldn’t be blocked. We ended up with Brian Mitchell behind center by the time the bad night was over. It cost us a home game in the playoffs, in the era where the top wild-card played the first round at home.
One year earlier in RFK was a more devastating defeat and considerably more costly. We held a 37-35 lead and were running out the clock. Then Gerald Riggs ended an otherwise magnificent day by fumbling and the ball was run back for a touchdown. It was only Week 2, but when the season was over that game was the reason Philly was in the playoffs and we narrowly missed.
Those two games head the list. There was another tough loss in 1992. We took a tough 17-13 loss and were unable to complete a potential game-winning drive at the end. It was in the old Vet in the 15th game of the season and nearly cost us a playoff berth. As it was, we were able to back in a week later when the Packers lost to the Vikings, and both the Redskins and Eagles made it in. Had the final week turned out differently, this game would rank higher on the list.
Looking ahead to today’s games, it’s a big day for the NFC. The Packers, Cowboys and Giants are all in action and all need to keep winning.
*Green Bay visits Detroit (12:30, Fox). No question who the better team is, but this is a real danger spot for the Packers. Detroit’s feeling good about themselves after beating Cleveland last week, and after winning two straight must-win games against Dallas and San Francisco at home, GB might be tempted to a letdown. The fact this team suffers from penalties, sacks and general lack of focus, makes them a viable candidate to take their foot off the gas on a short week road game against a team everyone figures they should blow out. The first quarter will tell the story. If Green Bay’s ready, it’ll show quickly and they win easily. If not, we’re talking upset. And that’s what I’m calling. Detroit, 26-23.
*Dallas hosts Oakland (4:15, CBS) The Raiders are another lowly team feeling their oats, in this case after a truly big win, over Cincinnati. They’ve also beaten Philadelphia, so the inconsistent Cowboys have to be wary. But those upsets took place out west, not traveling on three days’ rest. And in this case, Dallas’ inconsistency means they are due for a good game. Even if they’re not at their best, they’ll have enough to win without a huge challenge.
*New York goes to Denver (8:20, NFL) in the biggest matchup of the day, perhaps of the entire week. It’s must win for both teams, who are 6-4. Denver trails San Diego by a game, and the Chargers have easy matchups the next two weeks (Kansas City & Cleveland). The Broncos do not fare well in possible wild-card tiebreakers (losses to Pittsburgh & Baltimore). They need to keep pace. Tom Coughlin’s team got a badly needed win against Atlanta, but now has a long, tough trip west on short rest. Call it Denver, in a field-goal game that will be worthy of the stakes.
Everyone have a happy Thanksgiving! See you back here tomorrow to conclude our Redskins-Eagles heritage look and to recap the Thanksgiving Triumvirate.