The Super Bowl XXII Loss

A record-setting second quarter propelled the Redskins past the Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.

Super Bowl XXII was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Washington Redskins and American Football Conference (AFC) champion Denver Broncos to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1987 season. The Redskins defeated the Broncos by the score of 42–10, winning their second Super Bowl. The game was played on January 31, 1988, at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California.

Quick Facts

Result: Loss, 42-10

Lore & Background

The Broncos were making their second consecutive (and third overall) Super Bowl appearance, after posting a 10–4–1 regular season record. After trailing 10–0 at the end of the first quarter, the Redskins scored 42 unanswered points, including a record-breaking 35 points in the second quarter. Doug Williams, who was named the Super Bowl MVP, completed 18 of 29 passes for a Super Bowl record 340 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. He became the first African-American starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl.