NFC Playoff Gameday Preview - WAS @ SEA

Washington Redskins (9-7) at Seattle Seahawks (10-6)
Qwest Field, Seattle, Saturday, 1:30 p.m, NBC

Coaches' playoff records:
Joe Gibbs, Washington, 17-6
Mike Holmgren, Seattle, 12-10

Last meeting:
January 14, 2006 at Seattle With Shaun Alexander, the league's MVP and leading rusher, suffering an early concussion, Matt Hasselbeck threw for a touchdown and ran for one to help the Seahawks end a 21-year playoff drought with a 20-10 victory. Nine of Hasselbeck's passes went to Darrell Jackson, who no longer is with the team. Seattle's defense limited Clinton Portis to just 41 yards on 17 carries in avenging a 20-17 regular-season overtime loss to Washington.

Washington offense vs. Seattle defense --------------------------------------
Key Matchups:
QB Todd Collins vs. NFL's 19th-ranked pass defense
RB Clinton Portis vs. NFL's 12th-ranked run defense
WR Santana Moss vs. CB Marcus Trufant
TE Chris Cooley vs. SS Deon Grant
RT Stephon Heyer vs. LE Patrick Kerney

Even though the Redskins are 4-0 since journeyman Todd Collins replaced an injured Jason Campbell at quarterback, expected them to play it conservatively. That should mean a healthy dose of Portis, who went over 100 yards twice and scored four TDs in the last three games. The 37-year-old Collins had not started a game in 10 seasons but has been steely efficient, with five TD passes and no interceptions in four games. Santana Moss has come alive with Collins in the lineup, making 12 catches for 186 yards and two TDs in his last two games. In the 2005 playoff loss to Seattle, Moss had seven catches for 103 yards a touchdown. The Redskins must contain Patrick Kerney, who was second in the NFL with 14.5 sacks. Washington has been on a mission, having not lost since the funeral of slain safety Sean Taylor.

Seattle offense vs. Washington defense --------------------------------------
Key Matchups:
QB Matt Hasselbeck vs. NFL 16th-ranked pass defense
RB Shaun Alexander vs. NFL's 4th-ranked run defense
WR Deion Branch vs. CB Shawn Springs
WR Bobby Engram vs. SS LaRon Landry
LT Walter Jones vs. RE Andre Carter

With Shaun Alexander hampered by injuries and basically rendered ineffective, coach Mike Holmgren put the ball into the hands of Matt Hasselbeck with spectacular results. Seattle ripped off a five-game winning streak in which Hasselbeck had five TD passes and just three interceptions. Injuries have caused a revolving door at wide receiver, but the Seahawks may have everyone healthy against the Redskins. Branch had four 100-yard postseason games and was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX following an 11-catch, 133- yard performance with the New England Patriots. Bobby Engram also had a career-high 94 catches. Meanwhile, Alexander has started to show signs of regaining his health and had teamed with Maurice Morris to produce a pair of 100-plus yard performances to close out the regular season.

Three keys to the game ----------------------
1) No-hassle policy: If Seattle keeps front seven of Redskins defense off Hasselbeck, Washington could have trouble matching points with the potent Seahawks.

2) Another journey: There's a reason why Collins had not started a game in 10 years and Redskins cannot put offensive onus on him.

3) Second that emotion: Redskins are riding wave of emotion for fallen teammate Taylor, and the longer they stay in the game, the better their chances for an upset.