Redskins' Rejuvenation Secures Victory in Super Bowl XXII

Super Bowl XXII was played on Jan. 31, 1988, at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. The Washington Redskins, champions of the NFC, faced off against the Denver Broncos, champions of the AFC. Joe Gibbs coached the Washington Redskins, while Dan Reeves led the Denver Broncos.

Super Bowl XXII saw Washington return to the big game just a few years after Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Theismann's infamous leg break. The Redskins (11-4) won their division and then defeated the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants to advance to the Super Bowl.

Quarterback Doug Williams completed 190 passes for 2,541 yards and 24 touchdowns. The defense was led by defensive tackle Dave Butz, who recorded 9.5 sacks that season. And the "Hogs" offensive line that helped pave the way for the running game.

The Broncos (10-4-1) returned a year after losing Super Bowl XXI. They won their division and then defeated the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals in the playoffs.

Quarterback John Elway completed 223 passes for 2,598 yards and 18 touchdowns, and the defense was solid, led by defensive end Rulon Jones, who recorded eight sacks that season.

After trailing 10-0 after the first quarter, with Williams twisting his knee awkwardly late in the quarter, the Redskins had a record-setting 35 points in the second quarter. Washington added another fourth-quarter touchdown to win 42-10 as Williams, the first African American quarterback to win a Super Bowl, was named the Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 340 yards and four touchdowns.

The Redskins set a Super Bowl record for most points in a half (35) as well as most yards in a game (624) and a half (352).

The Redskins came into the game as underdogs, but they proved to be too much for the Broncos to handle.

Super Bowl XXII was the Redskins' second Super Bowl victory.