This was Herb Mul-Key's rookie season with the Redskins. Mul-Key was in because Larry Brown was hurt. Not sure if this was the game when Mul-Key made a 102 yard kickoff return or not but I am pretty sure it was the Bills.
No, the Redskins had clinched the Eastern title before the games started. It does not show it in the film, but the Skins rested Larry Brown the entire game. Brown led the NFC in rushing that year.
Going into this week, the Redskins were 11-2 and the second place Cowboys were 10-3, both having clinched playoff births. When the Skins lost this early game, Dallas had a chance to tie them at 11-3 by beating the Giants. But the Cowboys vomited on themselves with a 23-3 loss at home. If Dallas had won, would they have won the division? They beat Washington by 10 (34-24) and only lost to the Skins by 4 (24-20). Would a Dallas win over NY have won them the East or did the Skins have it won?
@sportshistorybuff Gosh, they both would have had 7-1 division records. I can't imagine both playoff-bound teams losing to lowly Bills & Giants with something at stake though. OK 1972 Giants weren't too bad. Wait, I just found out that 1st place WAS at stake for Cowboys when they lost to Giants 23-3. Cowboys defensive linemen George Andrie & Bob Lilly & QB Roger Staubach suffered more than their share of injuries in 1972.
@sportshistorybuff If I remember correctly, the first tie breaker was head to head. The second was points differential,( or record within the division) so I think Dallas would have won the division if it was points.
Washington also lost to a pathetic New England squad in week 3. How about that--three of the four Redskins' losses in '72 were to the AFC East (NE, Buffalo, Miami in the Super Bowl).
I think Washington was on vacation by now, but they could have maybe used this game to discover the outside running ability of Mulkey #28. By SB 7, RB Larry Brown was totally beat up. Just don't throw Mulkey the ball (@1:29 though he did save TD). Did you see how quick a cut block Redskin RT #76 made that cut block @ 0:58? It was like he tripped himself. It's interesting watching Bills DE Al Cowlings #82, OJ's driver some 20 years later. @1:44, great block by OJ on...the air.
Contain OJ and you beat the Bills, it was pretty much that simple in the early 70s. But the 72 Redskins were much better then that and you had to worry about their offense.
This was Herb Mul-Key's rookie season with the Redskins. Mul-Key was in because Larry Brown was hurt. Not sure if this was the game when Mul-Key made a 102 yard kickoff return or not but I am pretty sure it was the Bills.
inventorr77 3 weeks ago
No, the Redskins had clinched the Eastern title before the games started. It does not show it in the film, but the Skins rested Larry Brown the entire game. Brown led the NFC in rushing that year.
legend034 2 months ago
Going into this week, the Redskins were 11-2 and the second place Cowboys were 10-3, both having clinched playoff births. When the Skins lost this early game, Dallas had a chance to tie them at 11-3 by beating the Giants. But the Cowboys vomited on themselves with a 23-3 loss at home. If Dallas had won, would they have won the division? They beat Washington by 10 (34-24) and only lost to the Skins by 4 (24-20). Would a Dallas win over NY have won them the East or did the Skins have it won?
sportshistorybuff 4 months ago
@sportshistorybuff Gosh, they both would have had 7-1 division records. I can't imagine both playoff-bound teams losing to lowly Bills & Giants with something at stake though. OK 1972 Giants weren't too bad. Wait, I just found out that 1st place WAS at stake for Cowboys when they lost to Giants 23-3. Cowboys defensive linemen George Andrie & Bob Lilly & QB Roger Staubach suffered more than their share of injuries in 1972.
plntntvzn 2 months ago
@sportshistorybuff If I remember correctly, the first tie breaker was head to head. The second was points differential,( or record within the division) so I think Dallas would have won the division if it was points.
TheAmbassador11 1 month ago
Enough with that music!
armandx10 4 months ago
Washington also lost to a pathetic New England squad in week 3. How about that--three of the four Redskins' losses in '72 were to the AFC East (NE, Buffalo, Miami in the Super Bowl).
DNSKansas 5 months ago
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I think Washington was on vacation by now, but they could have maybe used this game to discover the outside running ability of Mulkey #28. By SB 7, RB Larry Brown was totally beat up. Just don't throw Mulkey the ball (@1:29 though he did save TD). Did you see how quick a cut block Redskin RT #76 made that cut block @ 0:58? It was like he tripped himself. It's interesting watching Bills DE Al Cowlings #82, OJ's driver some 20 years later. @1:44, great block by OJ on...the air.
plntntvzn 6 months ago
Comment removed
plntntvzn 6 months ago
Contain OJ and you beat the Bills, it was pretty much that simple in the early 70s. But the 72 Redskins were much better then that and you had to worry about their offense.
FRSFreeState 7 months ago