Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 13, 1992 TAG: 9201130070
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
'SKINS ROLL TO SUPER BOWL WITH BILLS
The Washington Redskins used brawn and versatility, an almost unmatchable combination, in qualifying for their fifth Super Bowl and fourth under coach Joe Gibbs.Looking every bit the NFL's best team, which they have been all season, the Redskins routed the Detroit Lions 41-10 in the NFC Championship game on Sunday.
The Redskins will face the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl in two weeks at Minneapolis. Buffalo edged Denver 10-7 on Sunday for the AFC championship.
When Washington needed the big play, quarterback Mark Rypien provided it. Or defensive end Charles Mann came through. The Lions hung in for a half, but were overwhelmed after that.
Washington's pass rush was relentless, forcing Detroit quarterback Eric Kramer into a fumble and an interception in the first seven plays. Both led to scores.
Just 4:02 into the game, the Lions were down 10-0. For a while, they didn't flinch, as they hadn't throughout their run to their first championship game in 35 years.
But Detroit, winner of its last seven games, simply didn't have the talent or experience to stay with Washington. The Skins (16-2) romped through the regular season with the league's most productive offense and No. 2 defense. And they showed it all Sunday.
Although the Lions hung close for 30 minutes, they never seemed capable of stopping Washington.
The Lions couldn't block Mann, who had one sack, forced a fumble, tipped a pass and was involved in nearly every key defensive play. The Lions couldn't pressure Rypien as the Hogs, Washington's impenetrable line that allowed only nine sacks all season, stood firm.
The Lions, 12-4 and NFC Central champions, had stayed close thanks to Kramer. He was shaken up on an option run and left for one play in the second quarter. But he then came back to throw for a touchdown.
With 10 minutes remaining, the 55,585 fans were chanting, "We want Buffalo!"
Buffalo's going back to the Super Bowl and Denver's not, even though the Broncos shut down the Bills' vaunted offense.
That no-huddle offense was a no-show against a brilliantly prepared Denver defense. The Bills' touchdown to break a scoreless tie in the third quarter came on an 11-yard return of a tipped pass.
The Broncos had their chances, even after losing quarterback John Elway to an injury. Gary Kubiak, his replacement, ran for a touchdown with 1:43 left.
Denver recovered the ensuing onside kick, but a fumble on the Broncos' next play clinched Buffalo's victory.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL