The Redskins were coming off two consecutive 10–6 seasons and looking to return to the playoffs for a second straight season. Not only did the Redskins improve their position, but they also put together a season that is considered by some to be one of the best any team has ever played. Washington won a franchise record-tying 14 games, the best record in the league, and their two losses (to two of their division rivals) were by a combined five points. The Redskins ended their campaign as world champions, knocking off thedefending AFC Champion Buffalo Bills 37–24, inSuper Bowl XXVI.
The Redskins led the league in scoring with 485 points and allowed the second-fewest points (224) in the league, which was an average of 14 points per game.[1] (As of the 1991 season, this was the third-highest total in NFL history, and still ranks in the top 20 all-time.) They had a +18 turnover ratio, also best in the NFL. Their point differential of +261 was the best in franchise history, and the sixth-highest of all time.[2][3] In 2016, Chris Chase ofUSA Today ranked the team as the greatest to ever win a Super Bowl.[4] As of 2024, this is the most recent season Washington appeared in a Super Bowl. They would not return to theNFC Championship Game or win more than 10 regular season games again until the2024 season, by which time the team had changed its name.
Statistics siteFootball Outsiders ranks the 1991 Redskins as the best team they have measured (from 1986 to present).[5][6] The team ranked No. 15 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.[7][8]
QuarterbackMark Rypien had an outstanding year. His 8.5 yards per pass attempt was second in the league, and his 3,564 passing yards were best in the NFC and fourth in the league.Running backEarnest Byner's 1,048 rushing yards were 5th best in the NFL.[9] The Redskins had twowide receivers who went over 1,000 yards receiving in 1991: Gary Clark (1,340) and Art Monk (1,049).[10]
The Redskins beat theBuffalo Bills 37–24 to winSuper Bowl XXVI. The team is also the last Super Bowl champion to never trail in any of their playoff victories. The Redskins' Super Bowl XXVI win was their first in a non-strike season.[11] With the championship, coachJoe Gibbs also became the first head coach to win three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks.[12]
In 2007,ESPN.com ranked the 1991 Commanders as the 4th greatest team in NFL history,[13] noting, "you can look at two stats to get a pretty good idea of just how great a team is: yards gained per pass attempt, and yards allowed per pass attempt. The 1991 'Skins topped the NFL in each category, with Mark Rypien averaging 8.5 yards per attempt, while his colleagues on Washington's defense allowed only 6 yards per attempt.... The 'Skins outscored their opponents 485–224, and they had a tough schedule. After going 14–2, they romped through theNFC playoffs, beating theFalcons 24–7 and demolishing the Lions 41–10 on their way to the Super Bowl. In the Big Game, the 'Skins beat the cursed early-1990s Bills 37–24."
Statistics siteFootball Outsiders has ranked the 1991 Commanders as the greatest team in their ratings history,[14] stating that the team "may have been the most well-rounded team in NFL history. [...] A lot of the best teams in NFL history got a little extra boost by picking on an easy schedule, but not Washington. They had an average schedule, and a harder-than-average schedule of opposing defenses. One reason for that: 1991 was not only the year of the best overall team in [their rating system's] history. It was also the year of the best defense in [their system's] history, which showed up on Washington's schedule twice: the1991 Philadelphia Eagles."
November 10, 1991 – Mark Rypien threw for 442 yards and 6 touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons, despite being taken out of the game in the middle of the 4th quarter;[16] when Atlanta did the same, their third-string quarterback, a rookie namedBrett Favre, made his NFL debut – and his first pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. On that same day,Warren Moon of the Houston Oilers threw for over 400 yards as well in an overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys.
In 2010, ESPN conducted a "super league," consisting of the best Super Bowl winning teams of all time; the 1991 Redskins finished the regular season in first place with a record of 14-2 and beat the 1992 Dallas Cowboys in the "Super Bowl" to be named the greatest team of all time.[17] Football Outsiders also has them ranked as the best Super Bowl-winning team in NFL history based on their advanced analysis.[18]
