Meaningful season finales have been rare for the Redskins. Here are five memorable ones in which Washington entered its final game still alive for the playoffs:
5. Redskins 27, Cardinals 16 (1985) » In St. Louis on a Saturday, the Redskins (10-6) won behind George Rogers (34 carries, 206 yards). But the next day, the 49ers (10-6) beat the Cowboys and the Giants (10-6) topped the Steelers to capture the two wild-card berths.
4. Raiders 21, Redskins 20 (1992) »
Vince Evans (15-for-22, 214 yards) carved up the Redskins in a Saturday night game, but Washington (9-7) clinched the final wild-card slot via a tiebreaker the next day when Green Bay (9-7) lost at Minnesota 27-7.
3. Redskins 31, Eagles 20 (2005) ?» In Philadelphia, Clinton Portis ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns and Sean Taylor sealed it with a fumble return for a score as Washington (10-6) clinched the final wild-card slot by beating the defending NFC champions.
2. Redskins 27, Cowboys 6 (2007) » Todd Collins (22-for-31, 244 yards), Portis (25 carries, 104 yards) and the Redskins’ defense, which limited Dallas to 1 yard rushing, were key as Washington (9-7) clinched the final wild-card slot in the NFC.
1. Cowboys 35, Redskins 34 (1979) » John Riggins ran 66 yards for a touchdown to put the Redskins (10-6) ahead in the fourth quarter of this all-or-nothing finale at Dallas (11-5). But Roger Staubach threw two touchdown passes in the final 2:30 to win the NFC East.
– Kevin Dunleavy
