With Super Bowl LX fast approaching, Sunday, what is Washington’s history in the Super Bowl?
The Commanders‘ predecessor, the Redskins, played in five Super Bowls, winning three and losing two. The three were all coached by Joe Jackson Gibbs. He also coached one of the Redskins’ Super Bowl losses. The Redskins’ other Super Bowl loss saw George Allen coaching the team, but losing to the last team to go undefeated through the season and playoffs…the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who finished 17-0.
Here’s a quick look at the Redskins’ five Super Bowl Appearances:
Super Bowl VII Miami 14, Washington 7
The Redskins won the NFC East at 11-3, as RB Larry Brown was the 1972 AP MVP, rushing for 1,216 yards in 12 games, sitting out the last two. Brown led the NFL in rushing yards per game (101.3) and yards from scrimmage 1,689. The Redskins then defeated the Packers on Christmas Eve, 16-3, in the divisional round of the playoffs. On New Year’s Eve, the defending Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys came to RFK. But Washington was completely dominant, running away with a 26-3 win over the Cowboys. But in the Super Bowl, the Dolphins’ defense stacked the line of scrimmage, limiting Brown to only 72 yards on 22 carries. QB Billy Kilmer was not good enough to beat the Dolphins, throwing three interceptions. The Redskins’ only score was a 4th-quarter Mike Bass 49-yard return when DT Bill Brundidge blocked a field goal attempt. Garo Yepremian picked it up but lost control, and Bass caught it, running for the touchdown.
Super Bowl XVII Washington 27, Miami 17
The NFL players went on strike during the season, reducing the regular season to nine games. K Mark Moseley set a new NFL record, connecting on 23 consecutive field goal attempts. The Redskins went 8-1, were the top seed in the playoffs, and Moseley was voted NFL AP MVP. In the playoffs, the Redskins were never challenged, beating the Lions 31-7 and the Vikings 21-7 the next week. In the NFC Championship Game, the Cowboys came to town. RB John Riggins rushed for 140 yards. The Redskins won the turnover margin 3-0, highlighted by DE Dexter Manley tipping a Gary Hogeboom pass that DT Darryl Grant intercepted and returned 10 yards for the final score in the Redskins’ 31-17 win at RFK. In the Super Bowl against the Dolphins, the Redskins trailed 17-10 in the third quarter when they took control, scoring the final 17 points to defeat the Dolphins 27-17. In the final quarter, on a 4th & 1 from the Miami 43, John Riggins broke a Don McNeal arm tackle and ran all 43 for the go-ahead score (20-17). Joe Theismann later connected with Charlie Brown from six yards for the final margin. Riggins finished with 166 yards and was the MVP.
Goal Line, I-Left, Tight Wing, 70 Chip on white
The Diesel, John Riggins
Redskins #HTTR#RaiseHailThe signature play of Super Bowl XVII
January 30, 1983 pic.twitter.com/gUZCSx0uQd
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) January 30, 2026
Super Bowl XVIII Oakland 38, Washington 9
The 1983 Redskins went 14-2, losing both games by a single point (31-30 to Dallas and 48-47 to Green Bay). They led the NFL in scoring and appeared ready for a Super Bowl repeat after routing the LA Rams 51-7 in the divisional round. But in the NFC Championship Game, leading the 49ers 21-0 in the third quarter, allowed the 49ers to tie the game before Mark Moseley’s field goal gave the Redskins a 24-21 win. Moseley had strangely missed four field goals, also keeping the game close. In the Super Bowl, the Redskins gave up three huge plays and lost to the Raiders 38-9. First, they had a punt blocked and recovered for a touchdown. Then, just before the half, they inexplicably tried to throw from the end zone, and Jack Squirek intercepted for a 5-yard touchdown. Marcus Allen had a reverse-the-field 74-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter, putting the game out of reach.
Super Bowl XXII Washington 42, Denver 10
A players’ strike resulted in only a 15-game schedule as the Redskins (11-4) won the NFC East. Traveling to Chicago for the divisional round, the Redskins faced a-20-degree windchill and a 14-0 Bears lead. But Doug Williams found TE Clint Didier from 18 yards, tying the game 14-14. Darrell Green’s 52-yard punt return put Washington ahead, and the defense took over, holding on for a 21-17 win. In the NFC Championship Game, leading 17-10, the Vikings drove inside the Redskins 10, but the Washington defense held on for an exhausting 17-10 win. The Redskins trailed the Broncos 10-0 in the Super Bowl. Suddenly, they scored 35 points on five consecutive offensive possessions, needing only 18 plays, giving Washington a 35-10 halftime lead. Winning 42-10, the Redskins were led by the Hogs’ offensive line, producing large holes for RB Timmy Smith to run for a Super Bowl record 204 rushing yards on only 22 carries. QB Doug Williams had perhaps his best NFL game, completing 18 of 29 for 340 yards and four touchdowns. Williams was voted Super Bowl MVP.
Super Bowl XXVI Washington 37, Buffalo 24
The Redskins won their first 11 games, en route to going 14-2 and earning the top seed in the NFC playoffs. They were first in points scored and second in scoring defense. In the first playoff game, in the rain and mud, they easily defeated the Falcons 24-7 in the seat cushion game. Next week, the Redskins held Barry Sanders to 44 yards rushing, defeating the Lions 41-10. In the Super Bowl, Washington led 17-0 at halftime, 24-0 in the third quarter, and 37-10 in the fourth quarter. Mark Rypien was voted Super Bowl MVP. Joe Gibbs had won his third Super Bowl with three different starting quarterbacks and three different starting running backs.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Examining franchise’s Super Bowl history
