Super Bowl power rankings: Who’s the best loser?
By John Buhler
9. 1983 Washington Redskins, Super Bowl XVIII
The 1983 Washington Redskins were riding high after their first ever Super Bowl victory the year before over the 1982 Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. Joe Gibbs’ team went 14-2 in 1983 and dominated its competition in the NFC.
They clobbered the Los Angeles Rams, 51-7, in the Divisional round and beat the San Francisco 49ers by a field goal, 24-21, to get to their third Super Bowl in franchise history. Washington was a three-point favorite over the AFC Champion Los Angeles Raiders.
When it was time for the game, Marcus Allen would run all over the Redskins’ defense in Super Bowl XVIII at Tampa Stadium, routing Washington, 38-9. The defending Super Bowl Champion and had only lost twice that 1983 NFL season, but in this game were simply outclassed.
While Washington would go on to win two more Super Bowls with Gibbs as head coach, Super Bowl XVIII was the last Super Bowl quarterback Joe Theismann would play in.
Washington had somewhat of a dynasty under Gibbs, but a win over the Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII would have no doubt solidified that notion and may have put Theismann in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s hard to deny a two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback in Canton.
Next: 8. 2009 Indianapolis Colts