Divisional playoffs - Redskins at Seahawks
Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks
Qwest Field
Saturday, 14 January
1630 EST on Fox / 2130 GMT on Sky Sports Xtra
Seattle looked like another promising season was going down the pan on 2 October, when they lost 20-17 in Washington to leave their record at 2-2, but after that game everything just came right as they won 11 successive games in posting a team-best 13-3 record. That victory saw Washington spurt to a 3-0 record but after that they ran hot and cold, looking well out of the playoff picture until December, when a run of five successive victories handed coach Joe Gibbs his 10th post-season appearance.
The Seahawks stumbled upon a winning formula when starting receivers Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram were injured against the Redskins, forcing them to use veteran Joe Jurevicius - who responded with 694 yards - and running back Shaun Alexander, who clinched the NFL rushing title with a massive 1,880 yards on the ground. Washington's defense is one of the few that could hold Alexander but, with Jackson back, the Hawks have a deep threat who can stop them over-committing to stop the run, and Jurevicius will continue to be vital in converting third downs with the pressure on. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is not the most talented in the league but his toughness breeds confidence to hold onto the ball for an extra second, perhaps withstand a tackle and complete key plays.
Washington have ridden their luck in the last couple of weeks, as their offense has stalled. Injuries have slowed QB Mark Brunell and leading rusher Clinton Portis, whose improved form was the biggest factor behind that last-season push. For the whole second half of the season, opposing teams have double-teamed receiver Santana Moss. Brunell initially went to H-back Chris Cooley, but his knee trouble seems to have upset his timing in the short-passing game.
Washington's defense is bound to force the odd error, but Seattle are too self-assured to trip up and should come out on top 24-7.
(Season so far 11-4; playoffs 4-0)
NFLBriefing.com
Qwest Field
Saturday, 14 January
1630 EST on Fox / 2130 GMT on Sky Sports Xtra
Seattle looked like another promising season was going down the pan on 2 October, when they lost 20-17 in Washington to leave their record at 2-2, but after that game everything just came right as they won 11 successive games in posting a team-best 13-3 record. That victory saw Washington spurt to a 3-0 record but after that they ran hot and cold, looking well out of the playoff picture until December, when a run of five successive victories handed coach Joe Gibbs his 10th post-season appearance.
The Seahawks stumbled upon a winning formula when starting receivers Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram were injured against the Redskins, forcing them to use veteran Joe Jurevicius - who responded with 694 yards - and running back Shaun Alexander, who clinched the NFL rushing title with a massive 1,880 yards on the ground. Washington's defense is one of the few that could hold Alexander but, with Jackson back, the Hawks have a deep threat who can stop them over-committing to stop the run, and Jurevicius will continue to be vital in converting third downs with the pressure on. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is not the most talented in the league but his toughness breeds confidence to hold onto the ball for an extra second, perhaps withstand a tackle and complete key plays.
Washington have ridden their luck in the last couple of weeks, as their offense has stalled. Injuries have slowed QB Mark Brunell and leading rusher Clinton Portis, whose improved form was the biggest factor behind that last-season push. For the whole second half of the season, opposing teams have double-teamed receiver Santana Moss. Brunell initially went to H-back Chris Cooley, but his knee trouble seems to have upset his timing in the short-passing game.
Washington's defense is bound to force the odd error, but Seattle are too self-assured to trip up and should come out on top 24-7.
(Season so far 11-4; playoffs 4-0)
NFLBriefing.com
posted by MG at
4:16 PM
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