On November 2, 1986, RFK Stadium hosted one of the most explosive offensive displays in NFL history. In a game that would come to be defined by relentless passing and a dramatic finish, the Washington Redskins defeated the Minnesota Vikings 44–38 in overtime.
The Air War
From the opening whistle, the game became a track meet. The two teams combined for over 1,000 yards of total offense, shredding defenses that simply couldn’t keep pace. Minnesota quarterback Tommy Kramer was spectacular, dissecting the Washington secondary for 490 passing yards and four touchdowns. For much of the afternoon, it appeared Kramer’s heroics would be enough to bury the home team.
The Late Deficit
Late in the fourth quarter, the situation looked dire for Washington. The Vikings held a commanding 38–26 lead, and the Redskins were fighting not just the clock, but their own special teams struggles. Kicker Max Zendejas had a nightmare performance, missing three extra points that left critical points off the board and forced the offense to chase a steeper deficit.
The Rally and The Finish
Refusing to fold, quarterback Jay Schroeder led a furious comeback. Washington rallied to score two late touchdowns, tying the game at 38–38 with just 63 seconds remaining in regulation. The momentum carried into overtime, where the defense finally made a stand, giving the ball back to a hot offense.
On the fourth play of the extra period, Schroeder found wide receiver Gary Clark. Clark hauled in the pass and raced 38 yards for the game-winning touchdown, sealing a 44–38 victory and sending the RFK faithful into a frenzy. The win remains one of the most memorable comebacks in franchise history, a testament to the team’s resilience in the face of an overwhelming aerial assault.
The full game is below:
