Super Bowl XXII
Jan. 31, 1988, Jack Murphy Stadium
San Diego, Washington 42, Denver 10
To this day, defensive end Rulon Jones doesn’t have an answer about why the Washington Redskins were able to take away momentum from the Broncos by scoring 42 unanswered points in Super Bowl XXII.
Denver seemed to take control with a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Quarterback John Elway and receiver Ricky Nattiel teamed up on a 56-yard touchdown pass on Denver’s first play from scrimmage, and Rich Karlis tacked on a 24-yard field goal.
The Broncos were in the Super Bowl for the third time, and looking to avoid a third blowout.
Denver’s position looked even brighter when Washington quarterback Doug Williams left the game for a brief spell in the first quarter after a hard hit. Williams returned, though, and went on to be the game’s MVP with an incredible second quarter.
“I don’t know what happened,” Jones said in a phone interview. “We really were playing well. We were confident we’d win. But Williams came back into the game, and it was amazing what he did.”
The Redskins scored 35 points in the second quarter to blow the game open.
“It went the opposite way for us, and we left the game scratching our heads,” Jones said.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com or @irvmoss
Denver starters
Offense: WR Mark Jackson, LT Dave Studdard, LG Keith Bishop, C Mike Freeman, RG Stefan Humphries, RT Ken Lanier, TE Clarence Kay, QB John Elway. RB Sammy Winder. RB Gene Lang, WR Ricky Nattiel.
Defense: LE Andre Townsend, NT Greg Kragen, RE Rulon Jones, LB Simon Fletcher, LB Karl Mecklenburg, LB Ricky Hunley, LB Jim Ryan, CB Mark Haynes, CB Steve Wilson, SS Dennis Smith, FS Tony Lilly.
Special teams: PK Rich Karlis, P Mike Horan.
