The punt sailed into the end zone; the Redskins would start their first possession of the second quarter at their own 20-yard line trailing the Broncos 10-0 with 14:17 remaining in the first half.
This wasn’t merely a regular season game. No, this was Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, CA, concluding the 1987 NFL season.
On Denver’s initial possession John Elway had connected with Ricky Nattiel on a 56-yard touchdown pass over Washington corner Barry Wilburn. Denver nearly got into the end zone again but had to settle for a 24-yard Rich Karlis field goal for a 10-0 lead over the Redskins.
The Washington offense struggled to assemble anything to resemble a scoring drive in the first quarter. No one, including quarterback Doug Williams, had any idea what would take place in the second quarter.
On first down, Williams dropped back, looked at Ricky Sanders, saw he was open, hit Sanders in stride at the Washington 48, and that quickly, it was an 80-yard strike. It was Sanders’ first touchdown reception in an NFL playoff game, and the Redskins trailed only 10-7.
Forcing three and out, Washington began its next possession on their own 36. Williams’ pass to Don Warren gained nine yards, and Timmy Smith then ran for 19 yards to Denver 36. On 3rd&1 from the 27 Gary Clark caught Williams’ pass at the one, falling forward into the end zone. 10:15 remained in the half, Washington had their first lead, as Joe Gibbs turned, walked back to the cooler for a cold drink.
Denver then drove to the Washington 26, but Karlis missed his 43-yard field goal attempt. Williams launched the Washington drive with a 16-yard pass to Gary Clark to the 42. Then left tackle Joe Jacoby and left guard Raleigh McKenzie pulled to the right, while tight end Clint Didier’s block outside opened the hole and Smith raced 58 yards for a touchdown. Washington now led 21-10 with 6:27 remaining in the half.
The Redskins defense executed another “three and out” and Mike Horan’s punt only traveled 29 yards. Washington would start at their own 40. Williams went to Ricky Sanders for ten yards to the 50. On the next play, Williams faked to Smith, the Denver secondary paused, Ricky Sanders ran by them and Williams’ pass was caught by Sanders at the ten and he coasted into the end zone for a 28-10 lead. 3:40 remained in the half.
When John Elway again looked for Nattiel, this time Wilburn intercepted Elway and Washington would get the ball at their own 21. Joe Gibbs elected to simply run out the half, handing the ball to Smith. However, the play was so well-blocked with R.C. Thielemann and Mark May pulling from the right side, Smith ran for 43 yards to the Denver 35. Smith now had ten carries for 131 yards!
Sanders then caught two Williams passes for 21 and 7 yards, respectively. From the 8, Williams found Clint Didier in the back of the end zone for a 35-10 lead with 1:04 left in the half.
Gibbs turned and again enjoyed a cold drink. ABC broadcaster Frank Gifford then said, “Doug Williams is having a dream day for a quarterback…If this were a fight, they might stop it.”
As the first Black quarterback to start a Super Bowl, Doug Williams, delivered a legendary MVP performance against the Denver Broncos. In a record-breaking second quarter, he led Washington to 35 points and a 42-10 win in Super Bowl XXII. pic.twitter.com/KEx7FZFF1g
— Retro Sports Network (@Retro_SportsNet) January 31, 2025
Washington had entered the second quarter trailing 10-0, ran 18 offensive plays, gained 357 yards, and scored 35 second-quarter points, including four Doug Williams second-quarter touchdown passes.
Williams completed 18 of 29 for 340 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Smith finished with 204 rushing yards on 22 carries, which is still a Super Bowl record.
The Redskins might have scored 60 if Gibbs wanted to, but they ran the ball in the second half, coasting to their 42-10 win and the Lombardi Trophy.
It all happened 37 years ago, Friday, January 31, 1988.