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1987 season · Jack Murphy Stadium

Super Bowl XXII

Washington 42, Denver Broncos 10. January 31, 1988, San Diego, California.

WashingtonChampions
42–10
Denver BroncosJan 31, 1988
DateJanuary 31, 1988
VenueJack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
Attendance73,302
Head coachJoe Gibbs
Starting QBDoug Williams
MVPDoug Williams (QB)

The game

Denver led 10–0 after one quarter, scoring on John Elway's 56-yard pass to Ricky Nattiel on its first play, and Doug Williams briefly left with a knee injury. Williams returned in the second quarter and Washington scored 35 points on five possessions (18 plays), a Super Bowl record for one quarter: touchdown passes of 80 and 50 yards to Ricky Sanders, 27 to Gary Clark and 8 to Clint Didier, plus Timmy Smith's 58-yard run. Williams, the first Black quarterback to start a Super Bowl, threw for 340 yards and four touchdowns and was named MVP. Rookie Timmy Smith ran for a Super Bowl-record 204 yards and Sanders caught nine passes for 193 yards. Washington's 602 total yards set a Super Bowl record.

Washington Commanders channel: 'Super Bowl XXII: Washington vs Broncos Highlights'.

Key plays

John Elway 56-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Nattiel on Denver's first play (1st quarter)

Ricky Sanders 80-yard touchdown catch on the first play of the 2nd quarter

Gary Clark 27-yard touchdown catch, 14–10 (2nd quarter)

Timmy Smith 58-yard touchdown run (2nd quarter)

Sanders 50-yard touchdown catch (2nd quarter)

Clint Didier 8-yard touchdown catch, 35–10 at halftime

Timmy Smith 4-yard touchdown run, 42–10 (4th quarter)

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, commanders.com