Tag: 1982 the Hogs

John Riggins took a bow for the RFK fans in the 82 playoffs

Remembering Washington’s divisional-round win over the Vikings in the 1982 playoffs.

This weekend, the NFL Divisional Playoff round will be played.

40 years ago, the 1982 Washington Redskins became the first team in franchise history to win a Super Bowl. How did that team fare in the divisional round?

After defeating the Lions 31-7 in the Wild-card round, the Minnesota Vikings came to RFK for a Saturday 12:30 pm start on January 15, 1983.

The “Hogs” were catching on around the league to some degree and the Vikings hearing of it during the week, volleyed back to the DMV that they were going to butcher the “Hogs.” Joe Theismann later expressed, “That’s the worst thing they could have done.”

The Hogs offensive line was motivated, and 33-year-old John Riggins was motivated to play in his first Super Bowl. Riggins carried 37 times for 185 yards, a new Redskins playoff record.

As the clock reached the final minute, the game clinched, Washington leading Minnesota 21-7, John Riggins was being substituted with Wilber Jackson. As Riggins went toward the sideline, the RFK faithful cheered, thanking Riggins.

Can you imagine Joe Gibbs surprise when Riggins suddenly stopped, removed his helmet, took a bow to both sides of the crowd in the stadium, waved his left arm in thanks and headed to the sideline with his helmet in his right hand? Then the volume sharply increased for Riggins.

Some fans had already been chanting the last couple of minutes, “We want Dallas”. Now the numbers grew until virtually the entire stadium had joined in the refrain, “We want Dallas”. This was significant, because it set the stage for the entire week being “Dallas Week”. The chant would begin the next week BEFORE the championship game against the Cowboys began.

Washington had jumped on the Vikings early with a Theismann touchdown pass to Don Warren from three yards and a Riggins run from two yards for an opening quarter 14-0 lead.

Ted Brown narrowed the Redskins lead to 14-7 with an 18-yard run, but the Washington offense responded with a Theismann 18-yard pass to Charley Brown for a halftime 21-7 margin. In the first half, Washington had controlled the line of scrimmage, possessing the ball 18:47 to only 11:13 for Minnesota, and out-gained the Vikings 280 to 147.

Theismann was efficient, completing 17 of 23 attempts for 213 yards, two touchdowns and a 113.1 passer rating.

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40 Years ago the NFL MVP resided in Washington

Mark Moseley is the only kicker in NFL history win MVP.

Washington Redskins 1982 History for $300 please.

Answer, “He played 13 seasons for Washington, was a two-time Pro Bowler, once an All-Pro and the 1982 NFL MVP.”

Contestant #1: “Who is Joe Theismann?”

Jeopardy Host: “No”

Contestant #2: “Who is John Riggins?”

Jeopardy Host: “No”

Question: “Who is Art Monk?”

Jeopardy Host: “No, I’m sorry contestants, those are all good responses, but they are not the correct response.”

Theismann was also a two-time Pro Bowler and once All-Pro. He also finished fourth in the Associated Press MVP balloting in this 1982 season. Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts was second, Raiders running back Marcus Allen third and Cowboys quarterback Danny White was fifth.

Riggins was an All-Pro once and Pro Bowler once (hard to believe only once with several very good seasons). He was also the Super Bowl XVII MVP and the following season set a then NFL record rushing for 24 touchdowns.

Monk was a three-time Super Bowl champ and three-time Pro-Bowler. He set an NFL single-season record of 106 receptions in 1984 and led the NFL in 1985 with 81.7 receiving yards per game. He retired the all-time receptions leader in NFL history.

The correct response we are looking for is kicker Mark Moseley. Yes, a kicker was voted NFL MVP.

How is that AP writers voted the Washington kicker the NFL MVP for the 1982 season?

For starters, Washington was the No. 1 seed in the NFC finishing 8-1 in the regular season shortened by strike. In addition, it was also the manner in which they won games.

In the opener at Philadelphia, Moseley connected from 48 yards, sending the game into overtime and then his field goal won the game.

In the December cold at St Louis, Washington couldn’t get the ball in the end zone, but Moseley came through on all four field goal attempts for a 12-7 victory over the Cardinals.

The following week at RFK Moseley was accurate on all three field goal attempts in a 15-14 win over the Giants. His last field goal came with only four seconds remaining as snow was falling on the muddy grass field. It also broke the then NFL record of 20 consecutive field goals made, giving Moseley 21 for the new record.

Moseley would make his next two attempts in New Orleans the following week, extending his consecutive streak to 23 (dating back to the end of the ’81 season) before missing in the season home finale against the Cardinals. Moseley would finish the ’82 season making 20 of 21 field goals for a 95.2% conversion rate.

40 years ago the 1982 Washington Redskins provided us the launching of the “Hogs,” Riggins SB XVII MVP, Washington finishing 12-1 in the strike-shortened season, Washington Super Bowl XVII champs, defeating Miami 27-17 and yes, their kicker, Mark Moseley was voted NFL MVP.