1970 Washington Redskins season

Last updated

1970 Washington Redskins season
Owner Edward Bennett Williams
PresidentEdward Bennett Williams
General manager Tim Temerario (de facto)
Head coach Vince Lombardi (offseason)
Bill Austin (interim)
Home stadium RFK Stadium
Results
Record6–8
Division place4th NFC East
PlayoffsDid not qualify

The 1970 Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 34th in Washington, D.C. Vince Lombardi, who was hired the previous season, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in late June and died on September 3. [1] [2] In July, offensive line coach Bill Austin was named interim head coach. [3]

Contents

The Redskins finished at 6–8 in 1970, fourth in the NFC East, but with a five-game losing streak in the second half of the season. The last loss was a 34–0 shutout at rival Dallas on December 6, and Washington fell to a 4–8 record and four games behind the Cowboys. [4]

It was the 25th consecutive season that the Redskins did not advance to the playoffs. Austin's contract was not renewed after the season. [5] [6]

Offseason

NFL draft

1970 Washington Redskins draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
243 Bill Brundige Defensive tackle Colorado
4103 Paul Laaveg Tackle Iowa
5114 Manny Sistrunk Defensive tackle Arkansas AM&N
5121 Danny Pierce Running back Memphis State
7173Roland MerrittWide receiver Maryland
7178 Jimmy Harris Cornerback Howard Payne
8199Paul JohnsonDefensive back Penn State
9225Ralph SonntagTackle Maryland
11277 Mack Alston Tight end Maryland State
12303James KatesLinebacker Penn State
13329Joe PattersonTackle Lawrence
14355Tony MoroRunning back Dayton
15381Vic LewandowskiCenter Holy Cross
16407Steve BushoreWide receiver Emporia State
17433Earl MaxfieldDefensive tackle Baylor

Roster

1970 Washington Redskins roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve


Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceRecap
1September 20at San Francisco 49ers L 17–260–1 Kezar Stadium 34,984 Recap
2September 27at St. Louis Cardinals L 17–270–2 Busch Memorial Stadium 44,246 Recap
3October 4at Philadelphia Eagles W 33–211–2 Franklin Field 60,658 Recap
4October 11 Detroit Lions W 31–102–2 RFK Stadium 50,414 Recap
5October 19at Oakland Raiders L 20–342-3 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 54,471 Recap
6October 25 Cincinnati Bengals W 20–03–3RFK Stadium50,414 Recap
7November 1at Denver Broncos W 19–34–3 Mile High Stadium 50,705 Recap
8November 8 Minnesota Vikings L 10–194–4RFK Stadium50,415 Recap
9November 15at New York Giants L 33–354–5 Yankee Stadium 62,915 Recap
10November 22 Dallas Cowboys L 21–454–6RFK Stadium50,415 Recap
11November 29 New York Giants L 24–274–7RFK Stadium50,415 Recap
12December 6at Dallas Cowboys L 0–344–8 Cotton Bowl 57,936 Recap
13December 13 Philadelphia Eagles W 24–65–8RFK Stadium50,415 Recap
14December 20 St. Louis Cardinals W 28–276–8RFK Stadium50,415 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

NFC East
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
Dallas Cowboys 1040.7145–37–4299221W5
New York Giants 950.6436–26–5301270L1
St. Louis Cardinals 851.6155–36–5325228L3
Washington Redskins 680.4293–54–7297314W2
Philadelphia Eagles 3101.2311–71–9–1241332W1

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

References

  1. "Lombardi dies of cancer". Milwaukee Journal. wire services. September 3, 1970. p. 1, part 1.
  2. "State to mourn Lombardi in rites". Milwaukee Sentinel. September 4, 1970. p. 1, part 1.
  3. "'Skins tab Bill Austin". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. July 17, 1970. p. 11.
  4. "Cowboys rip Skins, 34-0". Milwaukee Sentinel. UPI. December 7, 1970. p. 3, part 2.
  5. "Allen replaces Bill Austin; Cardinals dismiss Winner". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. W-P. January 7, 1971. p. 13.
  6. Lowitt, Bruce (January 7, 1971). "George Allen replaces Bill Austin as Redskin coach". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. p. 25.