Seattle safety Jordan Babineaux trots past Washington QB Todd Collins while returning an interception for a fourth-quarter TD.

More Photos (1):

Related articles:

Redskins, Titans hoping to ride momentum into wild card games

Other articles by Joseph White:

Redskins 3 for 3 in must-win games Few details emerge in Miami homicide Cards at a loss after wild final 30 seconds Teams in same boat, looking toward playoffs Suns earn respect in win Tiki's big game boosts Giants' playoffs hopes Minnesota gives rookie coach victory in debut game Crying in baseball East Coast Huskies survive thriller Opposing tailbacks Portis, Alexander to put on show

Health Care
Visiting Angels
Caregivers Education
Indian Oasis Baboquivari Unified School District
Teachers / Principals Trades/Construction
Paragon Electric
Electricians General
Chapel Haven West
Program Staff Driver/Transportation
Pioneer Landscaping
Drivers/End-Dumps Dental
Dr. John Carson, DDS, PC
Dental Asst/Treatment Coordinator Trades/Construction
arizona portland cement
maintenance electrician

SEATTLE — In less than 2 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter Saturday, the Seattle Seahawks watched their 13-point lead turn into a one-point deficit. Nothing was going right — they couldn't even catch a simple kickoff.

"I was looking at the scoreboard, like, 'What just happened?' " Seattle defensive end Darryl Tapp said. "But you just have to continue to play all the game through."

And so they did, reversing the tide, stopping a team that had been playing with unbeatable passion for four weeks. So what if the other team scored two touchdowns early in the final period? The Seahawks responded with three of their own in a 35-14 victory over the Washington Redskins in the NFC wild card playoffs.

"It's amazing how the tables turn so fast," Seahawks left tackle Walter Jones said.

Seattle, 8-1 at home, set aside concerns about a cream puff schedule by beating a team that finished with a winning record for the first time since Week 1. The Seahawks will travel to Green Bay next Saturday, a rematch of a 2004 wild card game remembered for Matt Hasselbeck's proclamation of "We want the ball and we're going to score!" after the Seahawks won the overtime coin flip.

Instead, Hasselbeck threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

"I'm just saying it right now: We want the ball and we're going to score," he joked as he opened a post-game interview Saturday. "OK, I said it."

The Redskins had been on a mission since the death of safety Sean Taylor, who was shot in Miami on Nov. 26 and died a day later. Determined to win for their fallen friend, they went 4-1 after his death to claim the NFC's final playoff berth and appeared to have unstoppable momentum when two quick touchdowns gave them a 14-13 lead with 12:38 to play.

"I can't believe it's over with for us," Washington linebacker London Fletcher said. "It just seemed our story was going to be written all the way to the Super Bowl for us."

The Redskins' offense had come alive with a no-huddle drive capped by Todd Collins' 7-yard touchdown pass to Antwaan Randle El. Then came an interception by LaRon Landry, who took over at free safety after Taylor's death, to set up a 30-yard pass to Santana Moss that gave the Redskins the lead. In the end zone, Moss held up his fingers to signify the No. 21, Taylor's jersey number.

Then came a bizarre play that made the Redskins really look charmed. Seattle returner Nate Burleson couldn't field a wind-blown kickoff. The Redskins recovered and were primed to score again. A pass to Chris Cooley just missed, and kicker Shaun Suisham had his shortest miss of his young career — wide left from 30 yards.

"We have the perfect opportunity, getting that turnover, deep in their territory," defensive end Phillip Daniels said. "Not to score on that turnover, that changed the momentum of the game."

Landry intercepted another pass on Seattle's next drive, but a 33-yard punt gave Seattle good field position to set up the go-ahead touchdown drive.

Taking over at Washington's 42, Seattle scored five plays later, and Washington Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs was on the way to his first playoff loss when leading in the second half. He had been 17-0 with a lead after halftime.