Super Bowl XVII (1983): Washington Redskins vs. Miami Dolphins

Game Recap: Super Bowl XVII

The Washington Redskins captured Super Bowl XVII on January 30, 1983 at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. The final score of 27–17 in favor of Washington Redskins gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. John Riggins ran for 166 yards and a go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter.

Super Bowl XVII was the 17th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Rose Bowlin Pasadena, CA, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

John Riggins ran for 166 yards and a go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter.

MVP Performance: John Riggins

John Riggins (RB) earned the Super Bowl XVII Most Valuable Player award with a standout individual performance. The MVP award, officially known as the Pete Rozelle Trophy, has been given since Super Bowl I and recognizes the single most impactful player in each championship game. John Riggins joins an elite list of Super Bowl MVP winners alongside Joe Montana (4 awards), Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, and Tom Brady.

Halftime Show: Los Angeles Super Drill Team

The Super Bowl XVII halftime show featured Los Angeles Super Drill Team. The halftime show has grown from a simple marching band performance in the early Super Bowls into one of the most-watched musical events in the world, routinely attracting over 120 million viewers. For a full ranking of every halftime show, see our best Super Bowl halftime shows guide.

Where Was Super Bowl XVII Played?

Super Bowl XVII was played at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. The NFL selects host cities based on stadium quality, hotel room capacity, and infrastructure. For a full list of every Super Bowl location, see our Super Bowl stadiums page and Super Bowl host cities guide.

Super Bowl XVII Legacy

Super Bowl XVII added to the Washington Redskins's championship legacy. The victory secured a place in NFL history and gave the franchise's fans one of their most celebrated moments. Championship victories are often defining moments for franchises — they elevate players to legend status, validate coaching philosophies, and become permanent fixtures in sports culture.

For the complete timeline of every Super Bowl champion, visit our Super Bowl winners page. To see how this game fits into the all-time records, visit the Super Bowl records page.