The Redskins had had only four winning seasons since their last playoff berth in 1945, the most recent a 7–5–2 campaign in 1969 under Vince Lombardi, who died of colon cancer in September 1970.

Despite a broken left ankle suffered by leading receiver Charley Taylor in a week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that forced him to miss the remainder of the season, the Redskins went 9–4–1, good for second place in the NFC East.

They earned a wild card berth, but lost in the opening divisional round at San Francisco, 24–20.

Regular Season Game Officials at Busch Memorial Stadium • St. Louis, Missouri Individual stats Starting Lineups at Yankee Stadium • Bronx, New York Individual stats Starting Lineups at Cotton Bowl • Dallas, Texas Individual stats Starting Lineups at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

Passing Rushing Receiving Kicking Punting Kick Return Punt Return Sacks Interceptions Fumbles Tackles Scoring Summary Team Quarter-by-quarter Playoff Game Officials There was a rumor that President Richard Nixon called a key play that caused the Redskins to lose to the 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs.