Seahawks Get Defensive in Wild Card Win, Redskins’ Run Finished With 35-14 Loss

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

The NFC’s hottest team almost found a way to pull this one out. Then reality hit. As quickly as the Washington Redskins had rallied to earn a one-point lead after being shut out in the first half, they let it slip away. Actually, the Seattle Seahawks took it away. Literally. Two late INT returns for touchdowns made the score look a bit lopsided, but most of this game was close. Still, the inspirational play of the ‘Skins for their fallen teammate, Sean Taylor, was over. And the Seahawks advanced in the NFC Playoffs with a 35-14 Wild Card win over Washington.

The thing that stood out the most to me in this game was the Seattle defense. Relentless. LB LeRoy Hill led the team with 13 tackles and a sack, but the big plays created by this group turned out to be the difference. Both Marcus Trufant and Jordan Babineaux returned INTs for scores. And neither was a gimme. Try 78- and 57-yard returns, respectively.

With playmakers like this on defense, the ‘Hawks are now legitimately dangerous on both sides of the ball. Their top 10-ranked offense thrives on ball-control. Only the Saints and Patriots had more offensive plays. And with the D playing takeaway — and scoring — it doesn’t leave much hope for the opposition. Of course, achieving all this next week on the frozen tundra will be an obstacle in itself, not to mention having to deal with Brett Favre and company.