Washington needed to follow up the previous week's Dallas win with a victory against the Giants to preserve their top playoff seed. Early in the game they showed some jitters. Theismann threw three first half interceptions, and a follow-up offensive surge in the third quarter gave the Giants a scary 19-7 lead.

The Redskins offense got back in form late in the third quarter, sparked by a long Riggins run, and began to rattle off points the way they had all season. Two TDs in the fourth quarter ensured the victory, and Riggins final TD gave him a record-breaking 24 for the season.