Top 5 Redskin Upsets

Earlier in the week, Joe Gibbs described the Redskins as the "biggest underdogs in the history of sports". Just in case you thought that might be true, it isn't. As 16-point underdogs in New England on Sunday, the Redskins are big underdogs as NFL 'dogs go but certainly not the biggest ever...not even the biggest this year. The Patriots went off as 17-point favorites last week against the Dolphins. Three times the Redskins have been bigger underdogs. On their three trips to Dallas in 1993, 1994, and 1995 the Skins were catching 17, 16.5, and 17.5 points. They won the game outright in 1995 behind a stunning performance from the Heath Shuler-led offense in Texas Stadium. That game makes the list of the "Top 5 Redskin Upsets", a list by the way that includes only games starting with the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.

---TOP 5 REDSKIN UPSETS---

1. Redskins 20, Cowboys 16 (October 3, 1971--Cotton Bowl)
George Allen's third regular season game in DC was a stunner. At a rain-soaked Cotton Bowl, Charley Harraway ran 57 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to give the Redskins a lead they never relinquished. It lifted the Redskins to a 3-o start and began in earnest the Skins-Cowboys rivalry.

2. Redskins 27, Bears 13 (January 3, 1987---Soldier Field)
"Bears Ready--If Redskins Show Up," read the headline in a Chicago paper. The defending champs were 32-3 over two seasons courtesy of one of the great defenses of all-time. The wildcard Skins confused Chicago quarterback Doug Flutie all day long and Art Monk caught two touchdown passes from Jay Schroeder.

3. Redskins 24, Cowboys 17 (December 3, 1995---Texas Stadium)
Dallas was 10-2 and a 17.5 point favorite over the 3-9 Redskins. Terry Allen's two touchdown runs and a Heath Shuler to Henry Ellard touchdown pass led the Skins to the stunner to complete an improbable season sweep over the Cowboys.

4. Redskins 40, Chargers 17 (December 7, 1980--RFK Stadium)
The high-octane Chargers were 9-4 and winners of three straight.....the Skins in their year without Riggo were 3-10 and losers of 5 in a row. Joe Lavender set the tone on San Diego’s first possession when he picked off Dan Fouts’ pass and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown. It was the first of three interceptions for Lavender on the day and one of seven San Diego turnovers.

5. Redskins 33, Rams 20 (November 20, 2000---Trans World Dome)
The defending champion Rams were 8-2 and home against the Redskins who entered the game on a 2-game skid with season seemingly headed toward despair. The Skins survived an early onslaught by the high-powered Rams offense and rallied to a tough road win. Newly signed kicker Eddie Murray kicked four field goals and Jeff George threw three touchdown passes.