The 2000 Redskins: The first super team that wasn’t
By Kyle Hundley
Redskins 2000 game results
Week 1: Redskins 20, Panthers 17
Washington opened the season at home with a hard-fought victory against Carolina. Brad Johnson was 25 for 36 for 234 yards and added a rushing touchdown. Stephen Davis had 23 carries for 133 yards and a touchdown. The defense had six sacks with Marco Coleman having 2.5.
Week 2: Redskins 10, Lions 15
The Redskins hit the road to face Detroit at the Pontiac Silverdome. This game was close throughout, and they had a chance to win, but Johnson threw an interception with just under a minute left with Washington driving. The defense had another solid outing, holding Detroit to five field goals.
Week 3: Redskins 21, Cowboys 27
Washington returned home to face an 0-2 Dallas team. After jumping out to an early 7-0 lead behind the first of two Stephen Davis touchdowns, the Redskins fell behind, and got the ball back with under two minutes left with a chance to win, but couldn’t as they dropped to 1-2.
Week 4: Redskins 16, Giants 6
After two close losses, the Redskins traveled to face the division rival Giants. The defense played an outstanding game, and Brad Johnson threw two touchdowns to get Washington back on track. Deion Sanders had an interception and returned it 32 yards to shut down to an early fourth quarter drive.
Week 5: Redskins 20, Buccaneers 17
As a rematch of the previous year’s divisional playoffs, this game was equally exciting. Washington held a 17-14 lead and was attempting a field goal after a missed onside attempt by the Bucs with under a minute to play. Warren Sapp blocked it, and the Buccaneers proceeded to drive and tie it at the end of regulation. After a three and out by both Washington and Tampa Bay, Deion Sanders returned a punt 57 yards to the Tampa Bay 8-yard line, to set up a 20-yard Michael Husted field goal to win.
Week 6: Redskins 17, Eagles 14
The Redskins traveled to Philadelphia to face the Eagles. Stephen Davis and Skip Hicks each had a rushing touchdown. Darrell Green returned a Donovan McNabb interception 33 yards to the Eagles 19 with just 36 seconds left to set up a 24-yard Michael Husted field goal, and for the second consecutive week, Washington needed a last-second kick to bail themselves out.
Week 7: Redskins 10, Ravens 3
Washington returned home and welcomed a 5-1 Baltimore team that had three shutouts already. In a highly anticipated game, the defenses would again dominate throughout the day. With the score tied at 3-3 early in the fourth quarter, Stephen Davis was able to break loose for a 33-yard touchdown. Davis had a solid day against the Ravens legendary defense, as he had 91 yards on 21 carries, as Washington ran its winning streak to four.
Week 8: Redskins 35, Jaguars 16
Suddenly hot, the Redskins traveled to Jacksonville to face a disappointing Jaguars team that had won 14 games a season prior. Stephen Davis had another big game with two rushing touchdowns, and Albert Connell had a career day as he caught ten passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns. The Redskins moved to 6-2 on the season.
Week 9: Redskins 21, Titans 27
Washington welcomed a 6-1 Titans team to FedExField. After jumping out to a 7-0 lead behind a Mike Sellers receiving touchdown, Tennesee scored then next 20 points, including a backbreaking 81-yard interception for a touchdown by Samari Rolle right before halftime. Stephen Davis got it back to a one-score game with a rushing touchdown, but Tennesee answered. With the score 27-21 with two minutes left, the Redskins had a chance to take the lead, but another Samari Rolle interception essentially sealed it. Brad Johnson’s hail mary at the end was intercepted, and Washington’s five-game winning streak was over.
Week 10: Redskins 15, Cardinals 16
Hoping to rebound, Washington traveled to Sun Devil stadium to face a 2-6 Cardinals team. Looking to jump out to an early lead against an inferior team, Davis took a handoff at the Arizona 1-yard line but fumbled. Aeneas Williams picked up the fumble and ran it back 103 yards for the only Cardinals touchdown. The Redskins eventually fought their way back to make it a 16-15 game, and similar to last week, had an opportunity to win with two minutes left. A Chris Samuels false start moved them back to their own 5-yard line with no timeouts. Jeff George got them out to their own 24 before turning it over on downs, and Washington dropped another one heading into the bye.
Week 12: Redskins 33, Rams 20
In a huge Monday night game, Washington traveled to face the defending Super Bowl Champs, who were 8-2. After falling behind 13-3, the Redskins were able to even it up before the half. Jeff George threw two second-half touchdowns as the defense held the “greatest show on turf” to just seven points in the second half. Eddie Murray kicked four field goals, and Champ Bailey had a 48-yard interception return. Bruce Smith had three of the six sacks on the day to help get Washington back on track.
Week 13: Redskins 20, Eagles 23
After a big win on Monday Night, the Redskins returned home to face the Eagles in what was a must-win game if they wanted to keep pace with both Philadelphia and the Giants in the NFC East. The Redskins jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead behind a James Thrash touchdown. After trading leads for much the game, the score was 20-20 in the fourth quarter. With three minutes left, the Eagles kicked a field goal to take the lead. And for the third time in four weeks, Washington was down late with a chance to win or tie. The final drive got off to a fast start, as Jeff George hit James thrash for a 50-yard gain to get to the Eagles 34. The drive stalled, however, and Eddie Murray had a 44-yard attempt to tie. His kicked missed and dropped Washington to 7-5.
Week 14: Redskins 7, Giants 9
In a pivotal NFC rematch, the Redskins welcomed the division rival Giants to town. This game was another ugly one. The Giants managed to get out to a 9-0 lead behind three Brad Daluiso field goals. The Redskins made it a 9-7 game with a 5-yard Irving Fryar reception from Jeff George with five minutes to go. After forcing the Giants to punt, Washington (once again) got the ball with under three minutes to play, and a chance to win. George was able to work the Redskins to the Giants 35. George then appeared to hit Thrash for a 16-yard reception to get into the red zone. But the play was overturned, and the drive stalled. Murray had a 49-yard attempt to win, but missed. This game was the last Norv Turner would coach for the Redskins. Turner was fired and replaced with Terry Robiskie with three games to go.
Week 15: Redskins 13, Cowboys 32
In their first game with a new coach and very slim playoff hopes, Washington traveled to face the Dallas Cowboys in what would be Troy Aikman’s last game. After getting out to a 7-6 lead behind a Stephen Davis touchdown, Dallas scored the next 23 points, as the defense had no answer for the Cowboys’ running game. Dallas ran it 43 times for 242 yards to go with three scores. Irving Fryar caught a late touchdown to make this game look closer than it was.
Week 16: Redskins 3, Steelers 24
In a battle of two 7-7 teams, Washington traveled to Pittsburgh. After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the Steelers scored 24 unanswered points. The Redskins turned the ball over five times and much like last week, could not stop the running game. Pittsburgh ran the ball 45 times for 200 yards and had two touchdowns. Washington had just 64 yards on 21 attempts. Jeff George threw two interceptions and a team that was once 6-2 was now 7-8.
Week 17: Redskins 20, Cardinals 3
In the season finale at FedEx Field, the Redskins played host to Arizona. The Cardinals were on a six-game losing streak; their last win against the Redskins in Week 10. The Redskins scored quickly behind a Champ Bailey rushing touchdown, who showed what a weapon he was. They added another score in the first with an Irving Fryar touchdown from Brad Johnson. Eddie Murray and Scott Bentley kicked field goals in the second quarter to make it 20-0 before a lone Arizona field goal finished the scoring. A team that was a popular choice for the Super Bowl before the season just finished as a .500 team.