Super Bowl XXII- Superbowl XXII- Super Bowl 22 - Washington Redskins - Denver Broncos

Redskins quarterback Doug Williams was named the Super Bowl MVP, completing 18 of 29 passes for a Super Bowl record 340 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. Williams became the first player in Super Bowl history to throw 4 touchdowns in a single quarter, and throw four in a half. Williams was also the first African-American quarterback to reach the Super Bowl, and to date is the only African-American quarterback to win one.

This game came at the end of a season that was shortened by a players' strike, but each team only lost one regular season game due to the labor dispute.

Super Bowl XXII was an American football game played on January 31, 1988 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion following the 1987 regular season. The National Football Conference (NFC) champion Washington Redskins (14-4) defeated the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Denver Broncos (12-5-1), 42�10, scoring 42 unanswered points after being down 10-0.

The Redskins set the following Super Bowl records en route to the victory:
    * Most offensive yards (602)
    * Most offensive rushing yards (280)
    * Most touchdowns scored in a Super Bowl game (6)
    * Most offensive yards in a quarter (356)[1]
    * Most points in a quarter (35)
    * Most touchdowns in a quarter (5)
    * The largest deficit that a team has ever overcome to win a Super Bowl (10 points)
Both teams combined to set the following records:
    * Most combined offensive yards (929)

The halftime show, produced by Radio City Music Hall, was titled "Something Grand" and featured performances by singer Chubby Checker, The Rockettes, and 88 grand pianos.

The Wonder Years premiered on ABC at the conclusion of this Super Bowl.

This game also marks the first time that instant replay was used in a Super Bowl game. It was used in the first quarter after the Broncos' third kickoff when the Redskins fumbled and recovered the kickoff return, to determine if it was a fumble. The original ruling on the field of a fumble and Redskins recovery stood.

NFC champion Washington won Super Bowl XXII and its second NFL championship of the 1980s with a 42-10 decision over AFC champion Denver.

The Redskins, who also won Super Bowl XVII, enjoyed a record-setting second quarter en route to the victory.

The Broncos broke in front 10-0 when quarterback John Elway threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ricky Nattiel on the Broncos' first play from scrimmage. Following a Washington punt, Denver's Rich Karlis kicked a 24-yard field goal to cap a seven-play, 61-yard scoring drive.

The Redskins then erupted for 35 points on five straight possessions in the second period and coasted thereafter. The 35 points established an NFL postseason mark for most points in a period.

Redskins quarterback Doug Williams led the second-period explosion by passing for a Super Bowl record-tying four touchdowns, including 80- and 50-yard passes to wide receiver Ricky Sanders, a 27-yard toss to wide receiver Gary Clark, and an 8-yard pass to tight end Clint Didier.

Washington scored five touchdowns in 18 plays with total time of possession of only 5:47. Overall, Williams completed 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards and was named the game's most valuable player. His pass-yardage total eclipsed the Super Bowl record of 331 yards by Joe Montana of San Francisco in Super Bowl XIX.

Sanders ended with 193 yards on nine catches, breaking the previous Super Bowl yardage record of 161 yards by Lynn Swann of Pittsburgh in Game X.

Rookie running back Timmy Smith was the game's leading rusher with 22 carries for a Super Bowl-record 204 yards, breaking the previous mark of 191 yards by Marcus Allen of the Raiders in Game XVIII. Smith also scored twice on runs of 58 and 4 yards.

Washington's six touchdowns and 602 total yards gained also set Super Bowl records.

Redskins cornerback Barry Wilburn had two of the team's three interceptions, and strong safety Alvin Walton had two of Washington's five sacks.

Date January 31, 1988
Stadium Jack Murphy Stadium
City San Diego, California
MVP Doug Williams, Quarterback
Favorite Broncos by 3
National anthem Herb Alpert
Coin toss Don Hutson
Referee Bob McElwee
Halftime show Chubby Checker and The Rockettes
Attendance 72,302
TV in the United States
Network ABC
Announcers Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, and Frank Gifford
Nielsen Ratings 41.9
Market share 62
Cost of 30-second commercial US$645,000