“It is a dream come true. We waited a long time for this one and there is no way we were going to come up empty.” ~ Washington Redskins QB Joe Theismann after his team defeated the rival Dallas Cowboys 31-17 in the 1982 NFC Championship game.
Redskins Get Over the Cowboy Hump
The Columbus Ledger Columbus, Georgia · Sunday, January 23, 1983 via Newspapers.com
The January 22, 1983, NFC Championship game wasn’t just a victory for the Washington Redskins; it was a cultural event that shook the foundations of RFK Stadium. To understand the significance of this game and the subsequent Super Bowl, one has to look at the “Hogs,” the “Smurfs,” and a legendary man named John Riggins.
The 1982 NFC Championship: “We Want Dallas!”
Coming off a strike-shortened season, the rivalry between Washington and Dallas reached a fever pitch. The RFK Stadium crowd was so boisterous that the physical structure of the stadium famously began to vibrate and bounce.
The Turning Point: With Washington leading 24–17 in the fourth quarter, defensive tackle Dexter Manley tipped a pass from Cowboys QB Danny White (who had replaced an injured Gary Hogeboom). Defensive tackle Darryl Grant intercepted the ball and high-stepped into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown.
The Result: The 31–17 win sent Washington to their second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history and solidified Joe Gibbs as an elite NFL head coach.
Super Bowl XVII: Washington vs. Miami (January 30, 1983)
Just eight days after defeating Dallas, Washington traveled to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena to face the Miami Dolphins. This game is remembered for one of the most iconic physical feats in NFL history.
The “Diesel” Takes Over
Miami led 17–10 at halftime, and Washington struggled to find the end zone despite moving the ball well. However, the second half belonged to John “The Diesel” Riggins. Riggins finished the game with a then-record 166 rushing yards on 38 carries.
The Iconic Play: 4th and 1
The defining moment occurred in the fourth quarter with Washington trailing 17–13. Facing a 4th-and-1 at the Miami 43-yard line, Coach Joe Gibbs decided to go for it.
The Call: “70 Chip.”
The Action: Riggins took the handoff, met Dolphins defender Don McNeal at the line of scrimmage, literally shrugged him off, and sprinted 43 yards down the sideline for the go-ahead touchdown.
The Final Score: Washington 27, Miami 17
Washington’s defense shut out the Dolphins in the second half, and a late touchdown pass from Joe Theismann to Charlie Brown sealed the victory. John Riggins was named Super Bowl MVP, and the “Hogs” (the offensive line) were immortalized for their dominant performance.
Significance of the Season
This victory was Washington’s first NFL Championship since 1942. It validated the “smash-mouth” identity of the team and kicked off a decade of dominance where the Redskins would win three Super Bowls under Joe Gibbs with three different starting quarterbacks.
By Darin 
