This weekend marks the 40-year anniversary of one of the most significant Washington Redskins-Dallas Cowboys games in the rivalry’s storied history.
Both teams were at the top of the NFL. Washington was the defending Super Bowl champion. Dallas had been to the NFC championship game three consecutive seasons (1980-82), losing to Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington.
The Redskins had defeated the Cowboys at RFK Stadium 31-17 in the 1982 NFC title game before defeating the Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII 27-17.
The 1983 season opener pitted Dallas against Washington in a rematch of the NFC championship game. Washington raced out to a 23-3 halftime lead. But Dallas played a near-perfect second half, storming back to shock the Redskins and the RFK fans, winning 31-30.
All season long, Washington had to think about how they had blown a 20-point halftime lead to their most hated rivals. Week 15 came on Dec. 11. The game buildup was huge as both Dallas and Washington were owning the NFC, both sharing 12-2 records. Washington players boarded the plane for Dallas dressed in Army fatigues.
The winner of this game would no doubt be the winner of the NFC East and earn the home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs. The rematch of the season opener would, this time, be played at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. Dallas was made a three-point favorite.
Washington and the Cowboys were dominant that season. It was only the second time since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 that two teams within the same division had won 12 games. Dallas and Philadelphia had also accomplished the feat in 1980, then met in the NFC championship game in Philadelphia.
Dallas star running back Tony Dorsett had rushed for at least 100 yards in three consecutive games, and when he gained 100 yards at home, Dallas was an astonishing 25-0.
Dallas had been held to 21 points only once all season — until this day. The Washington defense dominated the line of scrimmage, holding Dorsett to only 34 yards on his 14 carries (2.4 YPC). The Cowboys finished with a franchise low in their history 33 yards on 20 rushing attempts (1.65 YPC).
Meanwhile, Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann attempted only 17 passes. But he did complete 11 for 203 yards (11.9 YPA), including touchdown passes of 40 yards (Clint Didier) and 43 yards (Art Monk).
The lopsided outcome was a surprise to all involved. Washington manhandled Dallas 31-10 for their first win at Dallas since the 1976 team coached by George Allen.
John Riggins (27-89) and Joe Washington (8-44) led a running attack that produced 166 yards on 42 carries (3.9 YPC). Washington generated 366 yards and Dallas only 205, and Washington won the turnover battle 4-1.
Greg Williams, filling in for injured starting safety Mark Murphy, came up with two interceptions, and cornerback Darrell Green added another.
The loss shattered the Cowboys’ season. They never recovered, losing in the season finale to San Francisco and then at home to the Rams in the playoffs.
Washington defeated the Giants in the season finale, then the Rams 51-7 at RFK in the divisional round. The Redskins then beat the visiting 49ers 24-21 in the NFC championship game before losing to the Raiders 38-9 in Super Bowl XVIII.
