Farewell to the Redskins: The 5 Most Memorable Eagles vs. Redskins Games
In a summer where sporting events remains dormant, the biggest sports story of this week is the official retirement of the Washington Redskins team name and logo. Considering the stubbornness of owner Dan Snyder, it’s a surprise that he finally caved in to change the name despite the growing opposition in recent years. But this summer of chaos and high racial tensions finally had companies and leaders put their foot down and demand the nickname changed as well. While it’s good that the Redskin name will finally be put into the archives of history, it will also mark the end the Eagles vs. Redskins rivalry which has lasted over 8 decades.
When it comes to NFC East rivals, Washington third on the totem pole for Eagles fans compared to intense hatred of the Cowboys and the classic spectacles against the Giants. They’re also an afterthought because the Redskins have been the NFL’s most dysfunctional franchise over the past two decades not named the Browns. They have rarely posed a threat to the Birds and have a longer NFC Championship Game drought (29) years than the Cowboys. However, that doesn’t mean that there was a time when the Eagles and Redskins were one of the best rivalries in the NFL throughout the ’80s and ’90s, as shown in this NFL Throwback video.
In honor of the Redskins name coming to an end, lets look back at the 5 most memorable games of their rivalry with the Eagles.
Randall’s Finest Game at RFK
Despite not having the playoff success of McNabb nor the Big Game performances of Foles, Randall Cunningham remains one of the most popular Eagles of all-time for his talent and highlights that are replayed everywhere to this day. Probably the best game of his career (outside of his amazing 1998 season with the Vikings) was in Week 2 of the 1989 season against the arch rival Redskins at RFK stadium.
Washington jumped out early for a 20-0 lead in the first quarter, but Cunningham turned what looked liked a blowout into a dazzling shootout. His numbers: 34 completions with 447 yards and 5 touchdowns. That statline is incredible to see today, let alone in 1989. The Eagles managed to come all the way back for a 42-37 win and Randall never looked better.
THA BODY BAG GAME
Arguably the most famous game between the Eagles and the Redskins was The Body Bag Game, a 1990 Monday Night Football clash that got ugly. The infamous name was coined by Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan hyping the game to the media saying “they’ll have to be carted off in body bags.” The quote became prophetic as nine Redskins players were injured during in the game. They were beaten up so bad that they had to rely on emergency quarterback Brian Mitchell, a rookie running back who became one of the greatest return specialists of all-time, and even returned for the Eagles in the early 2000s.
What’s forgotten is that Washington got the last laugh defeating the Eagles in the playoffs later that season, unceremoniously ending the Buddy Ryan era. Would this game be as celebrated as it happened today? Probably not, but times were simpler 30 years ago.
Michael Vick’s Monday Night Massacre
The most famous game of Mike Vick’s memorable comeback year for the Eagles was the Miracle at the New Meadowlands. But his best performance as an Eagle, and maybe in his entire career, was on a Monday Night at Fedex Field against the Redskins. But this wasn’t against any typical Redskin team, this was against Donovan McNabb’s Redskins. And McNabb’s Redskins actually got a win over the Eagles at the Linc earlier that season. But by the time of their rematch Vick was in full bloom of his renaissance.
On the very first play of the game Vick threw a deep ball to Desean Jackson for an 88 yard touchdown. The onslaught was on. 59 points, 413 total yards and 6 total touchdowns were Vick’s numbers that night. 10 years later and the highlights are still incredible to watch.
The Carson Wentz Game, 2017
Both Redskins games in 2017 probably deserve a spot on this list. The Week One opener in Fedex Field broke a five game losing streak to Washington and set the tone for what would go down as the greatest season in Eagles history. But the rematch on Monday Night Football takes the spot because it was the game where Carson Wentz officially established himself as one of the best players in the NFL and the mid-season MVP.
Jaw dropping plays like the bomb to Mack Hollins (his first and only career touchdown), the dart in the corner of the end zone to Corey Clement, and the magician-like escape from a pile of linemen were the stuff only elite quarterbacks could pull off. Hopefully there will be many “Carson Wentz Games” in the future.
The Greg Ward Game
Recency bias helps this game be considered one of the most memorable Eagles and Redskins contests played since it was the latest one they played. However it will go down as the last time the Eagles played the DC team by the name of Redskins, and it was an exciting way to go out.
While Washington were near the end of a lost season, the Eagles had to win to keep their playoff hopes alive and rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins showed franchise QB potential throughput the game. Trailing by a field goal with just under five minutes to go, Wentz drove the depleted Birds offense 75 yards down the field. The star of the drive was Greg Ward, who caught four balls in that span including the epic game winning touchdown over Josh Norman. Nigel Bradham scored a defensive touchdown with no time left and the little did we know that would be the end of an era for the Philly vs. DC football rivalry.