The Redskins playing against the Dolphins in Super Bowl VII. The 1972 Washington Redskins seasonNational Football League (NFL) and the 36th in Washington, D.C. The Redskins were trying to build on the success of the previous season , in which they had finished 9–4–1 and made the postseason for the first time in 26 seasons. They ultimately finished the year 11–3, the best record in franchise history and only the second ten-win season in team history after 1942 (the win record would not be surpassed until the 1983 season ).
Head coach George Allen , in just his second season with the team, took the Redskins to their first Super Bowl . The team, who had missed the postseason in the entirety of the 1950s and 1960s, won its first postseason game since 1943 , and appeared in its first league championship game since 1945 .
The NFC champion Redskins would ultimately lose a close Super Bowl VII , 14–7, to the undefeated Miami Dolphins .
The 1972 season was the first in which the team wore its longtime logo, which featured a Native American head in profile within a gold circle. The logo would stay with the team for the next 48 seasons until both it and the team nickname were retired after the 2019 season.[ 1] Baltimore Bullets not relocating until the summer of 1973, and the Washington Capitals having their inaugural season in 1974, the 1972 Redskins were at the time the D.C. area's only team playing in one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada .
Running back Larry Brown led the league with 101.3 yard per game (while rushing for 1,216 yards) on his way to be named league MVP , becoming the first Redskin to receive the honor.
Offseason
NFL draft
Roster
Preseason
Schedule
Game summaries
Week P1: vs. Baltimore Colts Preseason Week 1: Washington Redskins 33 vs. Baltimore Colts 3 – Game summary
at Tampa Stadium , Tampa, Florida
Date : August 4, 1972Game time : 8:00 p.m. EDT Game attendance : 42,864TV : WMAL-TV
Week P2: vs. Denver Broncos
Week P3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles Preseason Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles 10 at Washington Redskins 34 – Game summary
at RFK Stadium , Washington, D.C.
Date : August 18, 1972Game time : 8:00 p.m. EDT Game attendance : 47,843TV : WMAL-TV
Week P4: at Detroit Lions Preseason Week 4: Washington Redskins 10 vs. Detroit Lions 23 – Game summary
at Tiger Stadium , Detroit, Michigan
Date : August 25, 1972Game time : 9:00 p.m. EDT Game attendance : 52,647TV : CBS
Week P5: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week P6: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Time TV Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 at Minnesota Vikings 9:00 p.m. EDT ABC W 24–21 1–0 Metropolitan Stadium 47,900 Recap 2 St. Louis Cardinals 1:00 p.m. EDT CBS W 24–10 2–0 RFK Stadium 53,039 Recap 3 at New England Patriots 1:00 p.m. EDT CBS L 23–24 2–1 Schaefer Stadium 60,999 Recap 4 Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 p.m. EDT CBS W 14–0 3–1 RFK Stadium 53,039 Recap 5 at St. Louis Cardinals 2:00 p.m. EDT CBS W 33–3 4–1 Busch Memorial Stadium 50,454 Recap 6 Dallas Cowboys 4:00 p.m. EDT CBS W 24–20 5–1 RFK Stadium 53,039 Recap 7 at New York Giants 1:00 p.m. EST CBS W 23–16 6–1 Yankee Stadium 62,878 Recap 8 at New York Jets 1:00 p.m. EST CBS W 35–17 7–1 Shea Stadium 63,962 Recap 9 New York Giants 1:00 p.m. EST CBS W 27–13 8–1 RFK Stadium 53,039 Recap 10 Atlanta Falcons 9:00 p.m. EST ABC W 24–13 9–1 RFK Stadium 53,034 Recap 11 Green Bay Packers 1:00 p.m. EST CBS W 21–16 10–1 RFK Stadium 53,039 Recap 12 at Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 p.m. EST CBS W 23–7 11–1 Veterans Stadium 65,720 Recap 13 at Dallas Cowboys 4:00 p.m. EST CBS L 24–34 11–2 Texas Stadium 65,136 Recap 14 Buffalo Bills 1:00 p.m. EST NBC L 17–24 11–3 RFK Stadium 53,039 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Game summaries
Week 1: at Minnesota Vikings Team Category Player Statistics WAS Passing Billy Kilmer 7/17, 57 YDS, 1 INT Rushing Larry Brown 21 CAR, 105 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Roy Jefferson 4 REC, 38 YDS MIN Passing Fran Tarkenton 18/31, 233 YDS, 2 TDs Rushing Oscar Reed 12 CAR, 68 YDS Receiving Bill Brown 5 REC, 47 YDS, 1 TD
Week 2: vs. St. Louis Cardinals Week 2: St. Louis Cardinals 24 at Washington Redskins 10 – Game summary
at RFK Stadium , Washington, D.C.
Date : September 24, 1972Game time : 1:00 p.m. EDT Game weather : 64 °F (18 °C); relative humidity 82%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn) (Overcast)Game attendance : 53,039Referee : Pat Haggerty TV announcers (CBS ) : Jack Buck (play-by-play), Tom Brookshier (color commentator) and Andy Musser (studio reporter)[ 3]
Week 3: at New England Patriots Team Category Player Statistics WAS Passing Billy Kilmer 14/30, 213 YDS, 3 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Larry Brown 20 CAR, 113 YDS Receiving Charley Taylor 7 REC, 134 YDS, 2 TDs NE Passing Jim Plunkett 17/33, 255 YDS, 2 TDs Rushing Josh Ashton 23 CAR, 108 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Bob Windsor 5 REC, 58 YDS
Week 4: vs. Philadelphia Eagles Team Category Player Statistics PHI Passing John Reaves 16/31, 214 YDS, 1 INT Rushing Tony Baker 7 CAR, 32 YDS Receiving Ben Hawkins 6 REC, 97 YDS WAS Passing Sonny Jurgensen 14/24, 237 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs Rushing Larry Brown 20 CAR, 79 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Larry Brown 6 REC, 58 YDS
Week 5: at St. Louis Cardinals
Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys Week 6: Dallas Cowboys 20 at Washington Redskins 24 – Game summary
at RFK Stadium , Washington, D.C.
Date : October 22, 1972Game time : 4:00 p.m. EDT Game weather : 52 °F (11 °C); relative humidity 64%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn) (Partly cloudy)Game attendance : 53,039Referee : Bernie Ulman TV announcers (CBS ) : Ray Scott (play-by-play), Pat Summerall (color commentator) and Dick Stockton (studio reporter)[ 7]
Team Category Player Statistics DAL Passing Craig Morton 14/27, 174 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs Rushing Calvin Hill 14 CAR, 61 YDS Receiving Bob Hayes 3 REC, 46 YDS WAS Passing Sonny Jurgensen 11/16, 1980 YDS, 1 TD Rushing Larry Brown 26 CAR, 95 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Larry Brown 7 REC, 100 YDS, 1 TD
Week 7: at New York Giants Week 7: Washington Redskins 23 at New York Giants 16 – Game summary
at Yankee Stadium , Bronx, New York
Date : October 29, 1972Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 61 °F (16 °C); relative humidity 91%; wind 11 miles per hour (18 km/h; 9.6 kn) (Overcast)Game attendance : 62,878Referee : Fred Swearingen TV announcers (CBS ) : Jack Whitaker (play-by-play), Jim Morse (color commentator) and Andy Musser (studio reporter)[ 8]
Team Category Player Statistics WAS Passing Billy Kilmer 8/16, 114 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Larry Brown 29 CAR, 191 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Roy Jefferson 3 REC, 46 YDS NYG Passing Norm Snead 25/37, 258 YDS, 1 TD Rushing Ron Johnson 16 CAR, 80 YDS Receiving Bob Tucker 7 REC, 84 YDS, 1 TD
Week 8: at New York Jets Team Category Player Statistics WAS Passing Billy Kilmer 7/16, 222 YDS, 3 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Larry Brown 16 CAR, 48 YDS Receiving Larry Brown 3 REC, 96 YDS, 1 TD NYJ Passing Joe Namath 15/28, 148 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs Rushing John Riggins 20 CAR, 85 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Rich Caster 5 REC, 70 YDS
Week 9: vs. New York Giants Team Category Player Statistics NYG Passing Norm Snead 14/26, 117 YDS, 2 INTs Rushing Ron Johnson 23 CAR, 96 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Joe Morrison 4 REC, 26 YDS WAS Passing Billy Kilmer 15/23, 256 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Larry Brown 30 CAR, 106 YDS, 2 TDs Receiving Roy Jefferson 5 REC, 86 YDS
Week 10: vs. Atlanta Falcons Team Category Player Statistics ATL Passing Bob Berry 11/21, 138 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Art Malone 15 CAR, 74 YDS Receiving Art Malone 6 REC, 52 YDS WAS Passing Billy Kilmer 10/19, 109 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Larry Brown 26 CAR, 82 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Roy Jefferson 4 REC, 42 YDS
Week 11: vs. Green Bay Packers Week 11: Green Bay Packers 16 at Washington Redskins 21 – Game summary
at RFK Stadium , Washington, D.C.
Date : November 26, 1972Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 44 °F (7 °C); relative humidity 87%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn) (Half cloudy)Game attendance : 53,039Referee : John McDonough TV announcers (CBS ) : Jack Buck (play-by-play), Tom Brookshier (color commentator) and Tim Ryan (studio reporter)[ 12]
Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 13: at Dallas Cowboys Week 13: Washington Redskins 24 at Dallas Cowboys 34 – Game summary
at Texas Stadium , Irving, Texas
Date : December 9, 1972Game time : 4:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 38 °F (3 °C); relative humidity 95%; wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn) (Fog)Game attendance : 65,136Referee : Fred Swearingen TV announcers (CBS ) : Jack Whitaker (play-by-play), Jim Morse (color commentator) and Don Criqui (studio reporter)[ 14]
Team Category Player Statistics WAS Passing Billy Kilmer 14/29, 178 YDS, 3 TDs, 2 INTs Rushing Herb Mul-Key 8 CAR, 60 YDS Receiving Charley Taylor 5 REC, 50 YDS, 2 TDs DAL Passing Craig Morton 7/17, 61 YDS, 1 TD Rushing Walt Garrison 10 CAR, 121 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Calvin Hill 5 REC, 39 YDS, 1 TD
Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills Week 14: Buffalo Bills 24 at Washington Redskins 17 – Game summary
at RFK Stadium , Washington, D.C.
Date : December 17, 1972Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 22 °F (−6 °C); relative humidity 52%; wind 14 miles per hour (23 km/h; 12 kn); wind chill 5 °F (−15 °C) (Mostly clear)Game attendance : 53,039Referee : Dick Jorgensen TV announcers (NBC ) : Jim Simpson (play-by-play) and Kyle Rote (color commentator)[ 15]
Team Category Player Statistics BUF Passing Dennis Shaw 10/21, 107 YDS, 2 INTs Rushing O. J. Simpson 26 CAR, 101 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Jan White 4 REC, 49 YDS WAS Passing Billy Kilmer 4/15, 62 YDS, 3 INTs Rushing Herb Mul-Key 25 CAR, 95 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Herb Mul-Key 2 REC, 28 YDS
Stats Passing
Passing Player Pos G GS QBrec Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD TD% Int Int% Y/A AY/A Y/C Y/G Lng Rate Sk Yds NY/A ANY/A Sk% 4QC GWD Kilmer QB 12 10 7–3–0 120 225 53.3 1,648 19 8.4 11 4.9 89 7.3 6.8 13.7 137.3 84.8 9 67 3.8 6.76 6.26 1 2 Jurgensen QB 7 4 4–0–0 39 59 66.1 633 2 3.4 4 6.8 36 10.7 8.4 16.2 90.4 84.9 2 21 3.3 10.03 7.74 1 1 Team total 14 11–3–0 159 284 56.0 2,281 21 7.4 15 5.3 89 8.0 7.1 14.3 162.9 84.8 11 88 3.7 7.43 6.57 2 3 Opp total 14 186 367 50.7 2,130 10 2.7 17 4.6 5.8 4.26 11.5 152.1 58.3 35 268 8.7 4.6 3.2
Rushing
Rushing Player Pos G GS Att Yds TD Lng Y/A Y/G A/G Brown RB 12 12 285 1,216 8 38 4.3 101.3 23.8 Harraway FB 14 14 148 567 6 24 3.8 40.5 10.6 Mul-Key RB 2 1 33 155 1 35 4.7 77.5 16.5 Brunet RB 14 1 30 82 2 18 2.7 5.9 2.1 Tayloe WR 14 14 3 39 0 17 13.0 2.8 0.2 Nock RB 7 0 6 22 0 6 3.7 3.1 0.9 Smith TE 14 14 1 9 0 9 9.0 0.6 0.1 Kilmer QB 12 10 3 –3 0 1 –1.0 –0.3 0.3 Jurgensen QB 7 4 4 –5 0 0 –1.3 –0.7 0.6 Team total 14 513 2,082 17 38 4.1 148.7 36.6 Opp total 14 427 1,733 12 4.1 123.8 30.5
Receiving
Receiving Player Pos G GS Rec Yds Y/R TD Lng R/G Y/G Ctch% Taylor WR 14 14 49 673 13.7 7 70 3.5 48.1 0.0% Jefferson WR 14 14 35 550 15.7 3 45 2.5 39.3 0.0% Brown RB 12 12 32 473 14.8 4 89 2.7 39.4 0.0% Smith TE 14 14 21 353 16.8 7 34 1.5 25.2 0.0% Harraway FB 14 14 15 105 7.0 0 24 1.1 7.5 0.0% Mul-Key RB 2 1 4 66 16.5 0 28 2.0 33.0 0.0% Alston TE 14 0 2 53 26.5 0 36 0.1 3.8 0.0% Brunet RB 14 1 1 8 8.0 0 8 0.1 0.6 0.0% Team total 14 159 2,281 14.3 21 89 11.4 162.9 Opp total 14 186 1,862 10.0 10 13.3 133.0
Kicking
Kicking Games 0–19 20–29 30–39 40–49 50+ Scoring Player Pos G GS FGA FGM FGA FGM FGA FGM FGA FGM FGA FGM FGA FGM Lng FG% XPA XPM XP% Knight K 14 0 4 4 3 11 6 8 4 4 30 14 46 46.7% 41 40 97.6% Team total 14 4 4 3 11 6 8 4 4 30 14 46.7% 41 40 97.6% Opp total 14 33 19 57.6% 23 23 100.0%
Punting
Punting Player Pos G GS Pnt Yds Lng Blck Y/P Bragg P 14 0 59 2,273 62 0 38.5 Team total 14 59 2,273 62 0 38.5 Opp total 14 69 2,767 40.1
Kick return
Kick return Player Pos G GS Rt Yds TD Lng Y/Rt Duncan DB 8 0 15 364 0 41 24.3 Haymond DB 4 0 10 291 0 41 29.1 Mul-Key RB 2 1 8 209 0 44 26.1 Brunet RB 14 1 8 190 0 45 23.8 Bass RCB 14 14 2 22 0 21 11.0 Tillman LB 14 0 2 6 0 6 3.0 Vactor DB 14 0 1 21 0 21 21.0 Fanucci DE 14 0 1 15 0 15 15.0 McLinton MLB 13 8 1 15 0 15 15.0 Team total 14 48 1,133 0 45 23.6 Opp total 14 53 1,191 0 22.5
Punt return
Punt return Player Pos G GS Ret Yds TD Lng Y/R Vactor DB 14 0 17 88 0 28 5.2 Duncan DB 8 0 11 70 0 18 6.4 Haymond DB 4 0 6 1 0 6 0.2 Team total 14 34 159 0 28 Opp total 14 19 39 0
Sacks
Interceptions
Interceptions Player Pos G GS Int Yds TD Lng PD Hanburger RLB 14 14 4 98 1 41 Fischer LCB 14 14 4 61 0 35 Bass RCB 14 14 3 53 0 29 McLinton MLB 13 8 2 22 0 19 Vactor DB 14 0 1 28 0 28 Taylor FS 14 14 1 17 0 17 Duncan DB 8 0 1 8 0 8 Owens SS 14 11 1 0 0 0 Team total 14 17 287 1 41 Opp total 14
Fumbles
Tackles
Tackles Player Pos G GS Comb Solo Ast TFL QBHits Sfty Malinchak WR 6 0 1 Team total 14 1 Opp total 14
Scoring summary
Scoring summary Player Pos G GS RshTD RecTD PR TD KR TD FblTD IntTD OthTD AllTD XPM XPA FGM FGA Sfty Pts Pts/G Knight K 14 0 40 41 14 30 82 5.9 Brown RB 12 12 8 4 12 72 6.0 Smith TE 14 14 7 7 42 3.0 Taylor WR 14 14 7 7 42 3.0 Harraway FB 14 14 6 6 36 2.6 Jefferson WR 14 14 3 3 18 1.3 Brunet RB 14 1 2 2 12 0.9 Malinchak WR 6 0 1 1 1 8 1.3 Bass RCB 14 14 1 1 6 0.4 Biggs RDE 14 14 1 1 6 0.4 Hanburger RLB 14 14 1 1 6 0.4 Mul-Key RB 2 1 1 1 6 3.0 Team total 14 17 21 1 1 2 42 40 41 14 30 1 336 Opp total 14 12 10 1 23 23 23 19 33 218
Team
Team Total yds & TO Passing Rushing Penalties Player PF Yds Ply Y/P TO FL 1stD Cmp Att Yds TD Int NY/A 1stD Att Yds TD Y/A 1stD Pen Yds 1stPy Team Stats 336 4,275 808 5.3 26 11 235 159 284 2,193 21 15 7.4 106 513 2,082 17 4.1 110 78 721 19 Opp Stats 218 3,595 829 4.3 32 15 223 186 367 1,862 10 17 4.6 108 427 1,733 12 4.1 95 64 568 20 Lg Rank Offense 7 11 3 8 14 23 12 3 8 2 6 10 6 14 Lg Rank Defense 3 4 14 10 9 21 6 3 16 4 4 7 10 13
Quarter-by-quarter
Quarter-by-quarter Team 1 2 3 4 T Redskins 30 105 92 109 336 Opponent 58 56 43 61 218
Postseason
Schedule
Game summaries
NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. Green Bay Packers NFC Divisional Playoffs: Green Bay Packers 3 at Washington Redskins 16 – Game summary
at RFK Stadium , Washington, D.C.
Date : December 24, 1972Game time : 12 Noon EST Game weather : 39 °F (4 °C); relative humidity 98%; wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn) (Drizzle)Game attendance : 53,140Referee : Bernie Ulman TV announcers (CBS ) : Jack Buck (play-by-play), Tom Brookshier (color commentator) and Bruce Roberts (studio reporter)[ 16]
NFC Championship Game: vs. Dallas Cowboys NFC Championship Game: Dallas Cowboys 3 at Washington Redskins 26 – Game summary
at RFK Stadium , Washington, D.C.
Date : December 31, 1972Game time : 3:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 49 °F (9 °C); relative humidity 99%; wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn) (Overcast)Game attendance : 53,129Referee : Jim Tunney TV announcers (CBS ) : Jack Buck (play-by-play), Pat Summerall (color commentator) and Bruce Roberts (studio reporter)[ 17]
Super Bowl VII: vs. Miami Dolphins
Awards and records
References ^ "Washington Redskins at Gridiron Uniform Database" . Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2013 .^ Pro Football Reference Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings – September 18, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference St. Louis Cardinals at Washington Redskins – September 24, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference Washington Redskins at New England Patriots – October 1, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins – October 8, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference Washington Redskins at St. Louis Cardinals – October 15, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – October 22, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference Washington Redskins at New York Giants – October 29, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference Washington Redskins at New York Jets – November 5, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference New York Giants at Washington Redskins – November 12, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins – November 20, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins – November 26, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles – December 3, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys – December 9, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference Buffalo Bills at Washington Redskins – December 17, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference NFC Divisional Playoffs – Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins – December 24, 1972 ^ Pro Football Reference NFC Championship Game – Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – December 31, 1972 ^ "Super Bowl Game-Time Temperatures" . Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018 .^ Pro Football Reference Super Bowl VII – Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Redskins – January 14, 1973 ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2 , p. 400 ^ "Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients" . Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2010 .^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2 , p. 451
Further reading Brig Owens and Chuck Cascio, Over the Hill to the Superbowl. New York: Robert B. Luce, 1973.
Formerly the Boston Braves (1932), Boston Redskins (1933–1936), Washington Redskins (1937–2019), and Washington Football Team (2020–2021) Based in Landover, Maryland Headquartered in Ashburn, Virginia Affiliations Franchise Stadiums Key personnel Culture and lore Rivalries Retired numbers Hall of Famers League championships (5) Division championships (15) Wild Card playoff berths (10)
Formerly the Boston Braves (1932), Boston Redskins (1933–1936), Washington Redskins (1937–2019), and Washington Football Team (2020–2021)
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