Cowboys-Redskins Rivalry

SI Staff | Nov 19, 2007

Cowboys-Redskins Rivalry /

Cowboys-Redskins Rivalry

Nov. 28, 1965

The Redskins and Cowboys crystallized their rivalry during a four-game span from '65 through '67, as the division rivals combined for 222 points with just 10 points separating the two sides overall. The first of these memorable meetings saw Washington overcome a 21-0 deficit to take a 34-31 lead -- ensuring victory when Lonnie Sanders blocked Danny Villanueva's field goal with seven seconds left.

Oct. 8, 1967

The Cowboys trailed 14-10 with 18 seconds left before a hostile D.C. Stadium crowd. But facing fourth down on the Washington 36, Dallas quarterback Don Meredith completed a pass to wideout Dan Reeves, who raced to the front-right corner of the end zone for the game-winning score.

Dec. 31, 1972

The first postseason meeting between the two sides occurred in the NFC Championship Game on New Year's Eve with the winner advancing to face the undefeated Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VII. Washington's Billy Kilmer hooked up with Charley Taylor on a pair of touchdown passes -- including a memorable 45-yard connection -- as the Redskins stormed to a 26-3 victory at RFK Stadium.

Nov. 28, 1974

Dave Robinson's ferocious hit on Roger Staubach sent the Dallas quarterback to the bench with 9:57 remaining in the third quarter. Enter Clint Longley. The unheralded rookie quarterback out of Abilene Christian kept the Cowboys hanging around long enough to fire a 50-yard touchdown pass with 28 seconds left, locking down a stunning 24-23 victory. "I don't have very much to say," Washington coach George Allen would say. "It was probably the toughest loss we ever had."

Nov. 2, 1975

Billy Kilmer had beaten the Cowboys with his arm throughout the afternoon, completing 21 of 39 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns. But in sudden-death overtime, the Washington signal-caller would settle the game with his legs -- leaping six inches over his right guard into the end zone for the game-clinching score.

Dec. 12, 1979

Roger Staubach's two touchdown passes during the final 140 seconds of regulation helped the Cowboys to an improbable 35-34 victory -- a result which knocked the stunned Redskins out of the playoff picture. "The Lord giveth and He can take it away in a hurry," stunned Washington coach Jack Pardee would say. "That's the only way to understand what took place here."

Jan. 22, 1983

In finding the end zone 24 times during the regular season, John Riggins had established an NFL record that would stand for 12 years. In scoring two more touchdowns during his team's NFC title game clash with Dallas, Washington's workhorse back spirited his team into Super Bowl XVII -- where the Redskins would bring home their first NFL championship in 40 years.

September 5, 1983

Just eight months following their NFC Championship Game disappointment, the Cowboys returned to RFK Stadium for the season opener on Monday Night Football. The hosts sprinted out to a 24-3 lead -- to the delight of 55,045 fans screaming "We Want Dallas!" -- but Danny White's second-half heroics sparked the Cowboys to a dramatic 31-30 victory.

Dec. 9, 1984

With Washington's slim playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the two-time defending NFC champs fought back from a 21-6 halftime deficit to stake a 23-21 lead through three quarters. Danny White put the Cowboys back on top with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Tony Hill. But John Riggins would seal the victory -- and first place in the NFC East -- with a one-yard touchdown plunge midway through the fourth.

Dec. 11, 1988

Dallas came to RFK Stadium with a lackluster 2-12 record. But in Tom Landry's second-to-last contest on the sidelines -- and his final game against the Redskins -- the Cowboys circled the wagons for their fedora-wearing skipper and embraced the spoiler role. Rookie wideout Michael Irvin scored three touchdowns to help Dallas knock the reigning Super Bowl champions out of playoff contention with a 24-17 victory.

Sept. 9, 1991

Playing on Monday Night Football in an electric atmosphere Dallas owner Jerry Jones likened to the Super Bowl, the Redskins edged the Cowboys in a shootout thanks to Chip Lohmiller's four field goals. Earnest Byner, who rushed for 101 yards on the night, headlined a Washington ground attack that helped the visitors maintain possession for 22 of 30 minutes in the second half.

Dec. 26, 2004

With two struggling sides playing for little but pride, ageless Dallas quarterback Vinny Testaverde stunned the Redskins with a last-minute touchdown strike. The 41-year-old quarterback found Patrick Crayton for a 39-yard score with 30 seconds left to give the Cowboys a come-from-behind victory at Texas Stadium.

Sept. 19, 2005

Seven-and-a-half quarters into the young '05 season, Washington's floundering offense still hadn't cracked the end zone. Facing a 13-0 deficit with less than four minutes remaining, the outlook appeared grim for Mark Brunell and the Redskins. But the veteran passer would find Santana Moss on a pair of long touchdown connections -- including the 70-yard coupe de grace -- to help the `Skins escape Texas Stadium with an improbable 14-13 victory.

Published Nov 19, 2007

SI STAFF