It was one of the most brutal games in NFL history.
And the 1990 version of Washington Redskins versus the Philadelphia Eagles is a reminder of the power of a rivalry that Jayden Daniels will be professionally introduced to on Thursday Night Football.
Jayden Daniels will be introduced to one of the NFL’s best rivalries[/caption]
Daniels, the leading NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate, trying to get a critical NFC East win against Jalen Hurts and Co. should leave Al Michaels with nothing to complain about.
But as good as Commanders-Eagles is on paper, it’s hard to imagine it becoming as brutal as Philly 28, Washington 14 on Monday Night Football was 24 years ago.
“They’ll have to be carted off in body bags,” said former Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan, who was already known as one of the fiercest competitors in NFL history.
Those strong words preceded Washington vs Philadelphia on November 12, 1990 at Veterans Stadium.
What followed was a live throwback to the old days of pro football, when bodies were constantly sacrificed and major injuries were simply part of playing the game.
Nine Washington players left the contest with injuries, while both teams used the Body Bag Game for late-season inspiration.
The Redskins, now known as the Commanders, were hit so hard that running back Brian Mitchell was forced to play quarterback.
Washington used three QBs in the road defeat, with Jeff Rutledge and Stan Humpries combining for 30 passes but only throwing for 127 yards.
Dual-threat Randall Cunningham led Philly to the NFC East win.
But Cunningham was also limited by the defensive intensity, only passing for 132 yards while being sacked four times.
Philadelphia attacked Washington and knocked out two quarterbacks[/caption]
Nine Redskins players suffered injuries[/caption]
Washington was beat up on and off the field[/caption]
Several players had to be carted or carried off[/caption]
Washington lost two QBs during the beatdown, and five of the team’s players were carried off the field.
“Do you guys need any more body bags?” one Eagle said.
“You guys are going to need an extra bus just to carry all the stretchers!” another Philly player said.
Entering TNF, Philly is 7-2 and holds a half-game advantage over the Commanders (7-3) for first place in the NFC East.
Washington has a slim one-point edge in point differential, while Philly has won five consecutive contests to become a Super Bowl contender.
Daniels is an MVP candidate entering Week 11, while Saquon Barkley has been one of the best free agent signings of the season.
Back in 1990, Philly turned its home nastiness into a huge advantage.
Reggie White, Clyde Simmons, Seth Joyner, Byron Evans, Eric Allen and Andre Waters were just too much for a talented Washington team that featured Art Monk, Earnest Byner, Russ Grimm, Charles Mann, Wilber Marshall and Darrell Green.
“They acted like they didn’t want to play us anymore,” Eagles defender Jerome Brown said.
Philadelphia used the Body Bag Game bounce to finish 10-6 and take second place in the NFC East.
But payback was issued in an NFC Wild Card playoff game, with Washington winning 20-6.
Joe Gibbs’ crew then won the Super Bowl in 1991, proving that there are bigger things in the world than getting beat up by the Eagles in Philly.
“The city of Brotherly Love,” an announcer said.
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