Super Bowl XXII - Definition and Overview

Super Bowl XXII was played on January 31, 1988 in San Diego, California. The Washington Redskins beat the Denver Broncos 42 to 10.

Redskins quarterback Doug Williams was named the Super Bowl MVP, completing 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception.

ABC televised the game in the United States, with announcers Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, and Frank Gifford.

The Game

At first, it looked like the Denver Broncos would be the one who would blow out the Washington Redskins. But the Redskins exploded for 35 points in the second quarter to clinch the victory.

On the Broncos' first play from scrimmage, quarterback John Elway threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ricky Nattiel. The Broncos then marched to the Redskins' 6-yard line on their second drive, but could only get a field goal to make the score 10-0.

Meanwhile, the Redskins could not get anything done in the first quarter. They were forced to punt on every drive. And late in the period, quarterback Doug Williams twisted his leg while being sacked and had to leave the game.

But Williams returned with 14:17 left in the second quarter, and promptly threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ricky Sanders.

While the Redskins' defense started to take control of Denver's offense, Williams and his offense scored four more touchdowns in the second quarter:

• A 27-yard pass to receiver Gary Clark
• A 58-yard run by running back Timmy Smith
• A 50-yard pass to Sanders
• An 8-yard pass to tight end Clint Didier

By the end of the game, Elway was sacked 5 times and threw 3 interceptions. And Washington got another touchdown again, a 4-yard run by Smith in the fourth quarter, to close out the scoring 42-10.

Scoring Summary

DEN- Nattiel 56 pass from Elway (Karlis kick)
DEN- FG Karlis 24
WAS- Sanders 80 pass from D. Williams (Haji-Sheikh kick)
WAS- Clark 27 pass from D. Williams (Haji-Sheikh kick)
WAS- Smith 58 run  (Haji-Sheikh kick)
WAS- Sanders 50 pass from D. Williams (Haji-Sheikh kick)
WAS- Didier 8 pass from D. Williams (Haji-Sheikh kick)
WAS- Smith 4 run  (Haji-Sheikh kick)

Playoffs

Wild-Card Round

January 3, 1988

• AFC: Seattle Seahawks 20, Houston Oilers 23 (OT)
• NFC: Minnesota Vikings 44, New Orleans Saints 10

Divisional Round

January 9, 1988

• AFC: Indianapolis Colts 21, Cleveland Browns 38
• NFC: Minnesota 36, San Francisco 49ers 24

January 10, 1988

• AFC: Houston 10, Denver Broncos 34
• NFC: Washington Redskins 21, Chicago Bears 17

Conference Championships

January 17, 1988

• AFC: Cleveland 33, Denver 38 "The Fumble"
• NFC: Minnesota 10, Washington 17