SUPER TEAMS

They bring the two best season records--and five previous Super Bowl appearances--into Minneapolis’ Metrodome today.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

This Joe Gibb-led team coasted through the 1991 season, averaging 30.6 points per game while giving up only 13.4. A key was an injury-free season for quarterback Mark Rypien, who threw for 3,962 years. The Redskins won 11 games in a row before being beaten by Dallas; their two losses (the other was to Philadelphia) were by a total of five points.

WHERE THEY RANK All-time record against Bills: 4-2 Super Bowl Record: 2-2 Total offense yards: 2nd NFC/4th NFL Passing yards: 2nd NFC/5th NFL Rushing yards: 3rd NFC/7th NFL Total defense yards: 3rd NFC/3rd NFL Pass defense: 7th NFC/9th NFL Rush defense: 3rd NFC/3rd NFL

16-2 9/1*: Redskins 45, Detroit 0 9/9: Redskins 33, Dallas 31 9/15*: Redskins 34, Phoenix 0 9/22: Redskins 34, Cincinnati 27 9/30*: Redskins 23, Philadelphia 0 10/6: Redskins 20, Chicago 7 10/13*: Redskins 42, Cleveland 17 10/27: Redskins 17, New York Giants 13 11/3*: Redskins 16, Houston 13 (OT) 11/10*: Redskins 56, Atlanta 17 11/17: Redskins 41, Pittsburgh 14 11/24*: Dallas 24, Redskins 21 12/1: Redskins 27, Rams 6 12/8: Redskins 20, Phoenix 14 12/15*: Redskins 34, New York Giants 17 12/22: Philadelphia 24, Redskins 22 NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS 1/4*: Redskins 24, Atlanta 7 NFC CHAMPIONSHIP 1/12*: Redskins 41, Detroit 10 * home games

Their Super Bowl History by the Pictures

The Redskins have won two times; the Bills are looking for their first NFL championship. VII, Jan. 14, 1973. In Los Angeles, before 90,182 fans: Miami kicker Garo Yepremian attempts his infamous pass after a field-goal try is blocked. The resulting interception cuts Washington’s deficit to 14-7. but the Dolphins hold on to complete a perfect season. MVP: Jake Scott XVII, Jan. 30, 1983. In Pasadena, before 103,667: This time, the Redskins beat Miami, 27-17. John Riggins rushes for 166 yards and a touchdown. MVP: John Riggins. XVIII, Jan. 22, 1984. In Tampa, before 72,920: At 16-2, Washington is a three-point favorite but winds up getting thumped by the Raiders, 38-9. Marcus Allen rushes for 191 yards. MVP: Marcus Allen. XXII, Jan 31, 1988. In San Diego, before 73,302: Doug Williams passes for 340 yards and four TDs, and Tim Smith runs for 204 yards as the Redskins rout Denver, 42-10. MVP: Doug Williams. XXV, Jan. 27, 1991. In Tampa, before 73,813: The Giants’ 20-19 victory isn’t clinched until the Bills’ Scott Norwood misfires on a 47-yard field-goal try with eight seconds left. MVP: Ottis Anderson.

Their Superbowl History by the Numbers Each team has made marks on the record book; another victory would put Gibbs into elite company.

MOST VICTORIES/COACH 4 - Chuck Noll - Pittsburgh (‘75, ‘76, ‘79, ‘80) 3 - Bill Walsh - San Francisco (‘82, ‘85, ‘89) 2 - Joe Gibbs - Washington (‘83, ‘88)* (Five other coaches with two victories)

MOST PASSES WITHOUT INTERCEPTION/GAME 36 - Joe Montana - San Francisco (‘89) 35 - Joe Montana - San Francisco (‘85) 32 - Jeff Hostetler - New York Giants (‘91) 30 - Jim Kelly - Buffalo (‘91)**

FEWEST TURNOVERS/GAME 0 - Buffalo vs. New York Giants (‘91)**

MOST TOUCHDOWNS/GAME 8 - San Francisco (‘90) 6 - Washington (‘88)*

LONGEST PASS COMPLETION 80 yards - Doug Williams to Ricky Sanders, Wash. (‘88); Jim Plunkett to Kenny King, Oakland. (‘81)*

SHORTEST TIME OF POSSESSION/GAME 19:27 - Buffalo (‘91)**

MOST YARDS GAINED RUSHING/GAME 204 - Tim Smith - Washington (‘88)* 191 - Marcus Allen - Raiders (‘84) 166 - John Riggins - Washington (‘83)* 135 - Thurman Thomas - Buffalo (‘91)** (Three players between Riggins and Thomas) * Washington statistics ** Buffalo statistics

BUFFALO BILLS

There were rough spots--including a 33-6 regular season blowout by Kansas City--but Marv Levy’s team mostly dominated on its return to the Super Bowl. Quarterback Jim Kelly and running back Thurman Thomas led the NFL in offense. The defense, lackluster much of the way, gained momentum in the playoffs.

WHERE THEY RANK All-time record against Redskins: 2-4 Super Bowl Record: 0-1 Total offense yards: 1st AFC/1st NFL Passing yards: 3rd AFC/4th NFL Rushing yards: 1st AFC/1st NFL Total defense yards: 13th AFC/27th NFL Pass defense: 9th AFC/21st NFL Rush defense: 12th AFC/24th NFL

15-3 9/1*: Bills 35, Miami 31 9/8*: Bills 52, Pittsburgh 34 9/15: Bills 23, New York Jets 20 9/22: Bills 17, Tampa Bay 10 9/29*: Bills 35, Chicago 20 10/7: Kansas City 33, Bills 6 10/13*: Bills 42, Indianapolis 6 10/21*: Bills 35, Cincinnati 16 11/3*: Bills 22, New England 17 11/10: Bills 34, Green Bay 24 11/18: Bills 41, Miami 27 11/24: New England 16, Bills 13 12/1*: Bills 24, New York Jets 13 12/8: Bills 30, Raiders 27 (OT) 12/15: Bills 35, Indianapolis 7 12/22*: Detroit 17, Bills 14 (OT) AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS 1/5*: Bills 37, Kansas City 14 AFC CHAMPIONSHIP 1/12*: Bills 10, Denver 7 * home games Source: “Pro Football Guide” and “The Complete Super Bowl Book”