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.

Quick Facts Washington Redskins season, Owner ...
1991 Washington Redskins season
Thumb
OwnerJack Kent Cooke
General managerCharley Casserly
PresidentJohn Kent Cooke
Head coachJoe Gibbs
Offensive coordinatorJoe Gibbs
Defensive coordinatorRichie Petitbon
Home fieldRFK Stadium
Local radioWMAL
Results
Record14–2
Division place1st NFC East
Playoff finishWon Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Falcons) 24–7
Won NFC Championship
(vs. Lions) 41–10
Won Super Bowl XXVI
(vs. Bills) 37–24
Pro BowlersQB Mark Rypien
RB Earnest Byner
WR Gary Clark
OT Jim Lachey
G Mark Schlereth
DE Charles Mann
CB Darrell Green
K Chip Lohmiller
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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 in 1991.[1] (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. In 2016, Chris Chase of USA Today ranked the team as the greatest to ever win a Super Bowl.[2] As of 2023, this is Washington's most recent appearance in the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl. In addition, this is also Washington's most recent season winning more than 10 regular season games.

Statistics site Football Outsiders ranks the 1991 Redskins as the best team they have measured (from 1986 to present).[3][4] The team ranked No. 15 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.[5][6]

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.[7] The Redskins had two wide receivers who went over 1,000 yards receiving in 1991: Gary Clark (1,340) and Art Monk (1,049).[8]

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.[9] With the championship, coach Joe Gibbs also became the first head coach to win three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks.[10]

In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1991 Redskins as the 4th greatest team in NFL history,[11] 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,[12] 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

More information Round, Pick ...
1991 Washington Redskins Draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollege
117 Bobby WilsonDTMichigan St.
376 Ricky ErvinsRBUSC
6159 Dennis RansomTETexas A&M
7188 Keith CashTETexas
8215 Jimmy SpencerDBFlorida
9243 Charles BellDBBaylor
10270 Cris ShalePBowling Green
11299 David GulledgeDBJacksonville St.
12326 Keenan McCardellWRUNLV
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Personnel

Staff

1991 Washington Redskins staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams – Wayne Sevier

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength – Dan Riley
  • Assistant strength – Steve Wetzel


[13]

Roster

1991 Washington Redskins roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad
  • 46 Dennis Ransom TE
  • 95 Ted Rogers LB

Reserve


Rookies in italics

Preseason

More information Week, Date ...
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
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Regular season

Note: Division opponents are bolded

Schedule

More information Week, Date ...
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
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
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Game summaries

Week 1

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 0 000
Redskins 21 14 7345
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More information Game information ...
Game information
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Week 1: Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins

at RFK StadiumWashington, D.C.

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Week 2

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 7 13 31033
Cowboys 14 7 3731
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More information Game information ...
Game information
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Week 2: Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

at Texas StadiumIrving, Texas

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Week 3

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 0 000
Redskins 7 7 14634
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More information Game information ...
Game information
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Week 3: Phoenix Cardinals at Washington Redskins

at RFK StadiumWashington, D.C.

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Week 4

Washington would not beat the Bengals again until 2020.

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 3 21 3734
Bengals 7 3 14327
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More information Game information ...
Game information
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Week 4: Washington Redskins at Cincinnati Bengals

at Riverfront StadiumCincinnati

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Week 5

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 0 000
Redskins 0 10 31023
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More information Game information ...
Game information
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Week 5: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins

at RFK StadiumWashington, D.C.

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Week 6

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 10 01020
Bears 0 0 707
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More information Game information ...
Game information
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Week 6: Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears

at Soldier FieldChicago

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Week 7

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 7 0 10017
Redskins 7 14 71442
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More information Game information ...
Game information
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Week 7: Cleveland Browns at Washington Redskins

at RFK StadiumWashington, D.C.

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Week 9

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 0 71017
Giants 10 3 0013
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More information Game information ...
Game information
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Week 9: Washington Redskins at New York Giants

at Giants StadiumEast Rutherford, New Jersey

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Week 10

More information Quarter, OT ...
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Oilers 0 6 07013
Redskins 0 3 37316
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More information Game information ...
Game information
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Week 10: Houston Oilers at Washington Redskins

at RFK StadiumWashington, D.C.

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Week 11

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 0 14017
Redskins 7 21 72156
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More information Game information ...
Game information
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Week 11: Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins

at RFK StadiumWashington, D.C.

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Week 12

More information Total ...
1 234Total
Redskins 7 101014 41
Steelers 0 0014 14
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Week 13

More information Total ...
1 234Total
Cowboys 0 14010 24
Redskins 7 0014 21
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Week 14

More information Total ...
1 234Total
Redskins 7 0146 27
Rams 3 300 6
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Week 15

More information Total ...
1 234Total
Redskins 0 0146 20
Cardinals 0 1400 14
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Week 16

More information Total ...
1 234Total
Giants 3 770 17
Redskins 7 1737 34
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Week 17

More information Total ...
1 234Total
Redskins 3 1036 22
Eagles 7 0017 24
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Standings

More information NFC East, W ...
NFC East
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
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Playoffs

Schedule

More information Week, Date ...
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
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Game summaries

NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs Atlanta Falcons

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 7 007
Redskins 0 14 3724
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More information Game information ...
Game information
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NFC Divisional Playoffs: Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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NFC Championship Game: vs Detroit Lions

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 10 0010
Redskins 10 7 101441
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NFC Championship Game: Detroit Lions vs Washington Redskins

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Super Bowl XXVI: vs Buffalo Bills

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 17 14637
Bills 0 0 101424
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Super Bowl XXVI: Washington Redskins vs. Buffalo Bills

at Hubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeMinneapolis, Minnesota

More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
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Statistics

Passing

More information Player, G ...
Player G Comp. Att. Pct. Yds. TD INT
Mark Rypien1624942159.13,5642811
Jeff Rutledge16112250.018910
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Rushing

More information Player, G ...
Player G Att. Yards Avg. TD
Earnest Byner162741,0483.85
Ricky Ervins151456804.73
Gerald Riggs16782483.211
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Receiving

More information Player, G ...
Player G Rec. Yards Y/G Avg. TD
Art Monk16711,04965.614.88
Gary Clark16701,34083.819.110
Ricky Sanders164558036.312.95
Earnest Byner163430819.39.10
Ricky Ervins161618111.311.31
Terry Orr161020112.620.14
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Kicking

More information Player, FGM ...
Player FGM FGA Pct. XPM XPA Pct.
Chip Lohmiller314372.15656100.0
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Awards and records

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;[14] 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.

Best team ever

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.[15] Football Outsiders also has them ranked as the best Super Bowl-winning team in NFL history based on their advanced analysis.[16]

References

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