The Philadelphia Eagles have played the football squad from Washington in the NFL postseason only once during their long, storied history dating back to their first game in 1934. The 1990 NFC Wild Card Game occurred on 01/05/1991 at Veterans Stadium, more than 50 years after their first clash in 1934.
The Eagles struck first, but Washington survived and advanced in the playoffs after a 20-6 road victory. Philadelphia dismissed Buddy Ryan following the loss with the famous “time to be a bride” comment from Eagles owner Norman Braman following back-to-back home losses in 1989 and 1990.
Another Frustrating Playoff Loss in South Philly
After losing at home to the Los Angeles Rams in the 1989 Playoffs, Eagles fans sat through another disappointing effort the following year against Washington. It started with some hope following a pair of Roger Ruzek field goals. Ruzek connected from 37 yards in the first quarter before splitting the forks early in the second quarter from 28 yards away. Those would be the only points of the day for the Birds with 35 minutes remaining in the game.
Turnovers were the marquee story of the day. Washington’s Gerald Riggs lost the football inside the 10-yard line, which Eagles defender Ben Smith scooped up and returned for a touchdown late in the second quarter. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, replay officials intervened, overturning the play and handing the ball back to Washington.
Kicker Chip Lohmiller connected from 20 yards away to extend Washington’s lead to 10-6. Washington added another field goal and a touchdown following halftime as the Eagles’ offense sputtered like a vintage car trying to start in the frigid cold.
Philly turned the ball over three times, including twice from running back Heath Sherman. Randall Cunningham also threw an interception that helped keep the game’s momentum in Washington’s direction. Cunningham finished 15-for-29 passing for 205 yards and the turnover. He also added 80 yards on the ground on seven rushes, including a dash for 26 yards.
Buddy Ryan replaced Cunningham with Jim McMahon in the third quarter with non-existent results on the way to the 20-6 loss. While he did not score, Keith Jackson deserves at least an honorable mention for his 5-catch, 115-yard performance in the defeat.
Washington Was a Team on the Rise
Even though Washington lost their next game in San Francisco, the win was pivotal in establishing a championship-style culture around the franchise. For that mentality to take root, a team must survive and advance in the playoffs. Washington did that the following season with three playoff wins, ending in a 37-24 win at Super Bowl XXVI over the Buffalo Bills in January 1992.
It was the franchise’s third and most recent Super Bowl celebration. The good times ended quickly for Washington with a loss in the Divisional Round of the 1992 NFL playoffs the following season before missing the playoffs for the next five consecutive seasons.
The Loss to Washington Cost Buddy Ryan His Job
If you asked Eagles owner Norman Brahman, it was the complete opposite of a championship culture in Philadelphia. The loss to Washington ended the five-year coaching tenure of Buddy Ryan despite a 49-35 regular season record. Frustrated with the coach’s 0-3 playoff record, Braman dismissed Ryan, famously saying, “It is time to stop being a bridesmaid and become a bride.”
Understandably, Ryan was surprised by the dismissal. “I’ve been fired before, but usually it’s for losing,” Ryan told Michael Wilbon of the Tampa Bay Times. “I’ve never been fired for winning.” While a 58% win rate over 84 regular games in Philadelphia looks good, the 0% playoff success in three games was the problematic portion for Braman, who selected Rich Kotite for the vacant head coaching position for the 1992 NFL season. Brahman was no longer an Eagles owner by April 1994 after the NFL approved the sale of his shares to a group led by current Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie.
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
