The Lions spent the week before the game insisting that this would not be a repeat of their 45-0 opening day drubbing at the hands of the Skins, but little turned out to be different.

Detroit fumbled on their first play, and Washington capitalized quickly with a Riggs TD. Another first quarter turnover led to a Redskins FG. The Lions made a little run in the second, scoring 10 points, but Washington added another Riggs TD to lead by 17-10 at halftime.

The Skins began to pull away in the third quarter opening the margin to 27-10 with another FG and a long TD pass to Gary Clark. The fourth quarter only added to Detroit's futility, as Washington scored twice more on a Monk TD catch and a Darrell Green interception return.

Washington rolled on to their fourth Super Bowl appearance since 1982.