Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

With '75 (8-6) and '77 (9-5, swept by Dallas and Giants) obviously out of the mix, which of these four is your choice? I guess I'd have to pick '73 - only a year removed from their SB-run, very close to winning division again, very close to winning another conference. But each of the others seem to have an argument. Same with '75 if not for two-game collapse to end things (won their first two games by a combined 90-16 en route to a 6-2 start; granted, Saints and Giants but still).

1971: the 5-0 start, giving SF a game.

1973: same 10-4 record as division-winner Dallas; gave quite a game on the road vs Vikes who would then, the following week, win 27-10 in Big D for the NFC.

1974: swept by Cards but wins over Mia, @Rams, and handing a walloping to a quite respectable Denver team in Week #3.

or

1976: another 10-win campaign sweeping the Cards but losing convincingly at Minn.

1973 would be my choice. They got Ken Houston, Larry Brown wasn't that beat up yet, and they had the experience of making the big game, even though they didn't win it.

1971. The 1973 team was good, but Larry Brown WAS over the hill by then; just look at his yards per carry.

I think the 1971 or '72 team could have won it all except for injuries. In 1971 it was Jurgensen's broken leg and Taylor's broken ankle (or whatever he hurt precisely), and in '72 it was Jurgensen's Achilles tendon. After that they were still good, a consistent playoff team at a time when that meant something, but not really a threat to go all the way.

Bob Gill wrote:1971. In 1971 it was Jurgensen's broken leg and Taylor's broken ankle (or whatever he hurt precisely),

Taylor fractured his ankle scoring his second TD of the game late in the first half of the 10/24/71 game at Kansas City to give Washington a 17-6 lead. He went out and the Skins' passing game went in the toilet and they ended up losing 27-20.

I will also go with 1973, excellent run D, best pass rush of the Allen era, Dave Robinson had nice comeback year, they still ran the ball, effecient passing.

1973 had lots of strong teams, Redskins, Cowboys, Vikings, Rams, Dolphins, Steelers, Raiders . . . losing in first round of playoffs in that year could happen to any good team.