ESPN NFL

Notable players: QB Mark Rypien, RB Earnest Byner, WR Gary Clark, G Mark Schlereth, DE Charles Mann, CB Darrell Green, K Chip Lohmiller

Analysis: Maybe I should've leaned toward the Riggo-Theismann teams, but in my mind, the ’91 team was too stacked to ignore. Clark was such an unbelievable competitor and he still drops by practice from time to time and inspires the current players. Green was the primary reason opposing teams only managed 6 yards per passing attempt that season. His battles with Michael Irvin were priceless.

The ’91 offensive line was dominant to a ridiculous degree. Redskins quarterbacks were only sacked nine times that season, which is a decent half for the current unit. Rypien had 14 touchdown passes of 25 yards or more to lead the league. Washington could beat you with the pass or run and then its defense knew how to protect leads.

Most impressive win: The Redskins breezed through the regular season with a 14-2 record and then pounded the Lions and Falcons in playoff games. But the 37-24 Super Bowl win over the Bills stands out to me. The Bills were in the middle of a remarkable run and they had an immensely talented offense. The Redskins didn’t care about any of that. We remember the Cowboys being the dominant team of the '90s, but the Redskins set the table in ’91 with a memorable season.

Best player: Green was brilliant at cornerback, but Rypien was the MVP of the league. For that one season, he put up numbers (3,564 yards passing, 28 TDs) that would make any quarterback envious. And the man threw an excellent deep ball.

Honorable mention

1987: I’ll never forget Doug Williams’ performance in the Super Bowl. He was shaky early in that game, but after the Skins fell behind the Broncos by 10, Williams settled down and started shredding the defense.

1983: I know the ’82 team won a Super Bowl, but that was in a strike-shortened season. Give me the ’83 team even though it was pummeled by the Raiders in the Super Bowl.

1972: The Skins ran into the perfect Dolphins in the Super Bowl, but Billy Kilmer and the gang had a tremendous season. Larry Brown was a monster and the great George Allen had the Cowboys in full paranoid mode. It was a classic time in the rivalry because the Cowboys also had become an elite team.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams are working on a potential contract for 2009 with coach Jim Haslett. Meanwhile, Oshiomogho Atogwe was named the NFC's defensive player of the week after scoring a touchdown against the Redskins.

Also from Thomas: Haslett is taking part of the blame for Richie Incognito's 15-yard penalty against the Redskins. The penalty could have cost the Rams their first victory of the season.

Jacqueline Lee of the Belleville News-Democrat was there when Rams players and cheerleaders worked out with young kids as part of a program teaching self-respect.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic explains how the Cardinals have gone 2-0 without receiver Anquan Boldin. Steve Breaston and J.J. Arrington have stepped up.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers never came close to making a trade before the deadline.

Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle raises questions about the potential firing of 49ers coach Mike Nolan. Who would make the decision? Who would replace Nolan?

Clare Farnsworth of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says the Seahawks are no longer forcing three-and-out possessions, a strength last season.

John McGrath of the Tacoma News Tribune looks at quarterback injuries in the NFL. They were a problem long before this season. Twenty years ago, the Seahawks lost Dave Krieg, the Oilers lost Warren Moon and the Redskins lost Mark Rypien.

Frank Hughes of the Tacoma News Tribune tops his Seahawks-Bucs matchup box with a note on Justin Forsett joining the 53-man roster at Michael Bumpus' expense.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times looks at Matt Hasselbeck's injury history. Hasselbeck hasn't missed many games, but he has played through quite a few injuries.