Remembering the 2007 Redskins, and four of Joe Gibbs’ greatest games
By Kyle Hundley
Wildcard: Away vs. Seattle (10-6)
After four incredible victories to make it to the playoffs, the Redskins traveled to Seattle, one of the toughest places to play an away game. Seattle was able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides early in the game, eventually jumping out to a 7-0 lead.
A Josh Brown 50-yard field goal gave the Seahawks a 10-0 advantage. The score would remain the same to halftime. Washington was outplayed in the first half, struggling to establish the run as Clinton Portis routinely faced eight-man boxes. Collins was efficient, but needed more help from his playmakers.
A second Josh Brown field goal made it 13-0 late in the third quarter as Seattle was starting to look as if they’d pull away. On the following drive, needing to make something happen, Collins managed to hit Chris Cooley on a second-down play deep down the left side. Cooley made an incredible one-handed catch in the process. For the first time, Washington had some momentum. Collins was able to march the Redskins down to the Seattle 7. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Collins hit Antwaan Randle El for a touchdown to make it 13-7.
A few plays later, Laron Landry stepped in front of a Matt Hasselbeck pass to give the ‘Skins the ball back at the Seattle 42. Two plays later, Collins hit Santana Moss for a 30-yard touchdown, and as bad as Washington was outplayed for much the game, they now held a 14-13 lead.
On the kickoff, A short Shaun Suisham kick landed right in-between the Seattle deep man and the wall, which allowed Anthony Mix to recover the ball off the bounce and run into the endzone for another Redskins’ touchdown. By rule, Mix wasn’t allowed to advance it after recovering. Either way, the ‘Skins now had the ball at the Seattle 14, with a chance to break the game open in the fourth quarter.
The Seattle defense held, and Suisham lined up for a 30-yard chip shot to extend the lead. Suisham would miss and give the Seahawks new life, a miss that would completely change the complexion of the game. After trading possessions, Seattle would add a touchdown and the two-point conversion to make it 21-14.
After a solid Rock Cartwright return, Collins went to work near midfield with just under six minutes left. On the following play, he threw deep for Santana Moss only to have it intercepted and ran back for a touchdown. Seattle was now in control and up 28-14. Todd Collins would later have another pass intercepted and returned for a touchdown to make it 35-14, a final score that didn’t indicate how close this game was. And like that, Joe Gibbs’ magical run, as well as Washington’s, was over.