Final
Redskins 14
(9-7, 4-4 away)
Seahawks 35
(10-6, 7-1 home)
Coverage: NBC
4:30 PM ET, January 5, 2008
Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Top Performers
Passing: T. Collins (WSH) - 266 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: C. Portis (WSH) - 20 CAR, 52 YDS
Receiving: D. Hackett (SEA) - 6 REC, 101 YDS, 1 TD
SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle Seahawks opened the playoffs without a former Super Bowl MVP.
Wide receiver Deion Branch was inactive for the Seahawks' NFC wild-card playoff game against Washington on Saturday because of a strained right calf.
Instead of playing, Branch, wearing street clothes and a white, down Seahawks coat, entered a huddle of Redskins defensive backs during pregame warmups and traded pointed comments and gestures with them. After a heated minute, game officials and Seattle defensive backs coach Jim Mora intervened to separate Branch from trouble.
Branch, listed as questionable for the game, hasn't been the same receiver he was with New England since he arrived in a trade for a first-round draft choice 16 months ago. The 2005 Super Bowl MVP with the Patriots has 49 catches this season and missed four games with a sprained foot. He hasn't practiced or played since this latest injury occurred Dec. 26.
Bobby Engram, who set a career-high with 94 catches this season while Branch and fellow starter D.J. Hackett were hurt, was to start for Branch against the Redskins.
Washington left special-teams ace James Thrash inactive. Thrash, listed as questionable, severely sprained his ankle in last week's win over Dallas and spent the week wearing a walking boot.
Scouting Report
Redskins must get running game cranking
The Redskins are one of the hottest teams in the NFL after winning four in a row, and the Seahawks struggle to be productive every week. Redskins QB Todd Collins continues to play at a high level with his decision-making and ability to spread the ball around to an assortment of playmakers, led by TE Chris Cooley and WRs Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El. How big of a factor will Seattle's 12th man be for the Redskins' QB?
Recent Blog Posts
Matchup
WSH | SEA | |
|---|---|---|
| W-L | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Avg Points | 14.0 | 35.0 |
| Avg Points Allowed | 35.0 | 14.0 |
| Home Record | 0-0 | 1-0 |
| Road Record | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Division Record | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Conference Record | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Complete Standings | ||
Passing Leaders
| Washington | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Daniels | 64.7 | 759 | 5 | 0 |
| M. Mariota | 64.7 | 340 | 4 | 0 |
| Seattle | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT |
| S. Darnold | 62.1 | 1290 | 8 | 8 |
| D. Lock | 72.9 | 422 | 4 | 0 |
Rushing Leaders
| Washington | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Croskey-Merritt | 67 | 239 | 3.6 | 2 | |
| J. Daniels | 25 | 213 | 8.5 | 2 | |
| Seattle | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | |
| E. Wilson | 111 | 403 | 3.6 | 3 | |
| J. Price | 28 | 119 | 4.3 | 0 | |
Receiving Leaders
| Washington | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T. McLaurin | 15 | 230 | 15.3 | 1 | |
| S. Diggs | 24 | 214 | 8.9 | 4 | |
| Seattle | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | |
| J. Smith-Njigba | 58 | 867 | 14.9 | 8 | |
| C. Kupp | 18 | 199 | 11.1 | 1 | |
Team Averages & NFL Ranks
| TEAM OFFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | WSH | |
| SEA | ||
| Yards Passing | WSH | |
| SEA | ||
| Yards Rushing | WSH | |
| SEA | ||
| TEAM DEFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Yards Allowed | WSH | |
| SEA | ||
| Pass Yds Allowed | WSH | |
| SEA | ||
| Rush Yds Allowed | WSH | |
| SEA |
Head to Head Matchups (Since 2001)
| Washington leads 4-2 | |
|---|---|
| Jan 14, 2006 | WSH 10, @SEA 20 |
| Oct 2, 2005 | WSH 20, SEA 17 |
| Nov 9, 2003 | WSH 27, SEA 20 |
| Nov 3, 2002 | WSH 14, @SEA 3 |
| Nov 4, 2001 | WSH 27, SEA 14 |