1991: The greatest season in Washington Football history, Week 6

Ivan focuses on Washington’s Week 6 win over the Bears in that magical 1991 season.

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This 2021 NFL season reminds us that 30 years ago Washington assembled its greatest team in franchise history, going 14-2 and racing through the playoffs to the Super Bowl XXVI championship and Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Week 6—Washington 20, Chicago 7— October 6, 1991

Mark Rypien and Art Monk connected for two touchdown passes, as Washington won their fifth straight game, defeating the Chicago Bears 20-7 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Leading 3-0, Rypien found Monk for a 26-yard TD, enlarging the Washington lead to 10-0 at the half. Rypien and Monk teamed up again in the final quarter from five yards out, providing Washington with a 17-7 lead.

Washington kicker Chip Lohmiller was successful on two field goal attempts from 47 yards (first quarter) and 23 yards (fourth quarter).

The Bears actually moved the chains 19 times to Washington’s 12, as Chicago out-gained Washington on the ground (120-75) and passing (199-168).

Yet the Washington defense created big plays, forcing three Bears turnovers. Wilber Marshall, Kurt Gouveia and Fred Stokes all intercepted Bears’ QB Jim Harbaugh. And Washington linebacker Andre Collins also recorded the lone QB sack of the game.

Rypien concluded his day completing 18-31 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and 1 interception. Monk led Washington receivers with six receptions for 69 yards and his two TDs, while Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders contributed five receptions for 44 yards and four receptions for 38 yards.

Neal Anderson led the Bears with 73 yards on his 18 carries including his one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Harbaugh struggled at times completing only 17 of his 41 attempts for 206 yards and his three interceptions, for a paltry QB rating of 27.1.

The win elevated Washington’s record to 5-0, while the Bears fell to 4-2.

 

1991 The GREATEST Season in Washington Football History

We begin our look back at the 1991 Washington team — the greatest in franchise history.

1991 — the greatest season in Washington Football history.

This 2021 NFL season reminds us that 30 years ago Washington assembled its greatest team in franchise history, going 14-2 and racing through the playoffs to the Super Bowl XXVI championship and Vince Lombardi Trophy.

For the next several weeks, Washington Wire will take a brief glimpse back, reminding ourselves of the greatest team in Washington history.

Week 1  Detroit 0, Washington 45

Opening the season at home and before a Sunday night national TV audience as a 7.5 point favorite, Washington manhandled the Detroit Lions 45-0.

Washington used a punishing rushing attack, running 42 times for 191 yards. Earnest Byner led the way, carrying 16 times for 83 and a touchdown.   Byner also executed a halfback option pass to Ricky Sanders for an 18-yard touchdown. Ricky Ervins had a long burst of 37 yards and would finish with 54 yards in only 6 carries.

Quarterback Mark Rypien was nearly flawless completing 15 of his 19 attempts for 183 yards, including touchdown tosses of 4 yards to tight end Jimmie Johnson and 38 yards to wide receiver Gary Clark.                      Clark led Washington receivers with 6 catches for 107 yards, followed by Sanders’ 3 catches for 38 yards.

The Lions without Hall-of-Fame running back Barry Sanders, found themselves quickly down 21-0 in the first quarter when Washington’s Brian Mitchell returned a Jim Arnold punt 69 yards for a touchdown.               When Byner rushed into the end zone from 6 yards, Washington had built a 35-0 halftime lead.

The Washington defense limited Detroit to nine first downs, 61 passing yards, recorded three QB sacks, and created four turnovers, including two Darrell Green interceptions, beginning the franchise’s greatest season with a shutout performance.