{"id":592346,"date":"2025-09-11T13:50:39","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T17:50:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/the-hogs.net\/blogs\/?p=592346"},"modified":"2026-05-06T14:35:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T18:35:46","slug":"redskins-throwback-september-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/the-hogs.net\/blogs\/2025\/09\/11\/redskins-throwback-september-11\/","title":{"rendered":"Redskins Throwback September 11: Washington Survives Steelers Scare in 30-29 Thriller"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/a> over the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 11, 1988 \u2014 a game that had absolutely everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Defending Champions Under Pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 and then some.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doug Williams Struggles but Delivers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Super Bowl hero Doug Williams had a day of extremes. He threw for a remarkable 430 yards on 30 of 52 attempts \u2014 a then-second best single-game passing total in franchise history, trailing only a Sammy Baugh<\/a> 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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pittsburgh’s Brister Lights Up Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chaos, Ejections and a Botched Extra Point<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kelvin Bryant \u2014 The Quiet Hero<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gibbs Goes For It \u2014 and Gets It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the Redskins trailing and facing fourth-and-3 from the Steelers’ 35-yard line late in the game, Joe Gibbs<\/a> 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 \u2014 bold, calculated and ultimately correct. The drive consumed over seven minutes of clock and set up the game-winning moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lohmiller Delivers the Dagger<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With 12 seconds remaining, rookie kicker Chip Lohmiller trotted onto the field at RFK Stadium<\/a> needing a 19-yard field goal to win it. He delivered. It wasn’t without drama \u2014 earlier in the game, one of his attempts had rattled off the right upright \u2014 but when it mattered most, Lohmiller was perfect. Washington won 30-29 in one of the most chaotic home openers in franchise history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the Numbers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n