This Redskins throwback from September 11 takes us all the way back to 1988, when the defending Super Bowl champions nearly gave their fans heart failure at RFK Stadium. The Washington Redskins escaped with a dramatic 30-29 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 11, 1988 — a game that had absolutely everything.
The Defending Champions Under Pressure
Washington entered the game as reigning Super Bowl XXII champions, riding high after a legendary 1987 season. However, nobody told the Pittsburgh Steelers that. Led by quarterback Bubby Brister, Pittsburgh came into RFK Stadium and gave Joe Gibbs’ team everything they could handle — and then some.
Doug Williams Struggles but Delivers
Super Bowl hero Doug Williams had a day of extremes. He threw for a remarkable 430 yards on 30 of 52 attempts — a then-second best single-game passing total in franchise history, trailing only a Sammy Baugh 446-yard effort in 1948. However, Williams was also his own worst enemy. He committed what he later called one of the most terrible mistakes of his career — a first-half interception in the end zone. Furthermore, the offense turned the ball over three times in total, giving Pittsburgh repeated opportunities to steal the game.
Pittsburgh’s Brister Lights Up Washington
Steelers quarterback Bubby Brister was electrifying throughout. He connected with wide receiver Louis Lipps on an 80-yard touchdown pass that burned Redskins cornerback Darrell Green badly. Brister also scrambled for a touchdown of his own. Meanwhile, running back Dwight Stone added a stunning 72-yard catch-and-run that put the Steelers ahead late. At one point, Pittsburgh led 29-20 and appeared to be on the verge of one of the great early-season upsets in recent memory.
Chaos, Ejections and a Botched Extra Point
This game was anything but clean. Redskins running back Timmy Smith was ejected in the third quarter for jutting his chest into a referee. Washington also lost 11 starters at various points throughout the afternoon. Additionally, Pittsburgh’s veteran center Mike Webster botched a third-quarter extra point snap — a costly mistake that kept the door open for the Redskins when they needed it most. Kicker Gary Anderson, who had converted 178 consecutive extra points, never even got a chance to attempt the kick.
Kelvin Bryant — The Quiet Hero
With Washington’s backfield in disarray, running back Kelvin Bryant stepped up magnificently. He scored three touchdowns on the day, including the game-winning 8-yard scamper with just over two minutes remaining. Bryant’s combination of rushing and receiving ability gave the Redskins a critical weapon when other options were limited. Moreover, backup running back Jamie Morris contributed 66 rushing yards and a crucial fourth-down conversion on Washington’s final drive that kept the winning march alive.
Gibbs Goes For It — and Gets It
With the Redskins trailing and facing fourth-and-3 from the Steelers’ 35-yard line late in the game, Joe Gibbs made the bold call to go for it rather than punt. Morris responded with a first down run, extending the decisive drive. It was classic Gibbs — bold, calculated and ultimately correct. The drive consumed over seven minutes of clock and set up the game-winning moment.
Lohmiller Delivers the Dagger
With 12 seconds remaining, rookie kicker Chip Lohmiller trotted onto the field at RFK Stadium needing a 19-yard field goal to win it. He delivered. It wasn’t without drama — earlier in the game, one of his attempts had rattled off the right upright — but when it mattered most, Lohmiller was perfect. Washington won 30-29 in one of the most chaotic home openers in franchise history.
By the Numbers
- 515 — Total yards by Washington
- 430 — Passing yards by Doug Williams (30/52)
- 341 — Total yards by Pittsburgh
- 258 — Passing yards by Bubby Brister
- 86 — Receiving yards by Art Monk (9 receptions)
- 83 — Rushing yards by Pittsburgh
- 80 — Longest touchdown pass (Brister to Lipps)
- 66 — Receiving yards by Gary Clark (including a 66-yard catch to open the second half)
- 66 — Rushing yards by Jamie Morris (13 carries)
- 25 — First downs by Washington
- 14 — First downs by Pittsburgh
- 3 — Touchdowns by Kelvin Bryant
- 3 — Turnovers by Washington
- 1 — Turnovers by Pittsburgh
- 19 — Game-winning field goal distance (Chip Lohmiller)
Final Thoughts
This Redskins throwback from September 11th, 1988 is a reminder of what made the Joe Gibbs era so special. Washington was sloppy, banged up and outplayed for long stretches — yet they still found a way to win. That resilience, that refusal to fold, was the hallmark of Gibbs’ greatest teams.
September 11, 1988 is a date worth remembering fondly for Redskins fans.