Denver appeared to be a team on a roll late in 1987, and they came in to the Super Bowl favored over the up-and-down Skins.

In the first quarter, it appeared that the oddsmakers were right and that this Super Bowl would be more like the loss to the Raiders than a return to glory. Elway struck on the first play, firing a long TD pass to Ricky Nattiel. On their next drive the Broncos continued to play aggressive offense, with Elway catching a pass on a trick play, and they added a FG for a 10 point lead.

Things looked bleak for the Redskins as they almost lost the kickoff on a bobble, and Doug Williams had to leave the game after twisting his knee. The veteran QB returned for the first series of the second quarter, and things suddenly looked different.

Williams hit a streaking Ricky Sanders with a perfect pass that ended up as an 80 yard TD. Clinging to a now three point lead, Denver could not move the ball. Getting the ball back, Williams struck again, this time hitting Gary Clark for a TD, giving Washington their first lead.

The onslaught continued with little-used RB Timmy Smith bursting out of traffic and rolling for a 58 yard score. Williams then hit Ricky Sanders for another 50 yard TD. Washington mounted another drive culminating in a Didier TD catch. The Skins had scored a record 35 points in the second quarter, swinging a 10 point deficit into a blowout.

The Broncos never mounted another serious offensive threat, and the Skins added another Timmy Smith TD in the fourth quarter to make the score even more overwhelming.

Washington came away with their second Super Bowl win in six years, erasing most of the disappointment from Super Bowl 18.