After three games that fell somewhere short of thrilling to open the playoffs, we could be on the verge of a little more excitement at FedEx Field.
The Redskins lead 14-13 at halftime after the Seahawks rallied back from an early 14-0 deficit to draw within one on a Steve Hauschka field goal just before the half. Hauschka hurt his left ankle at some point in the first half and punter Jon Ryan handled the kickoff after Michael Robinson’s touchdown catch, but the kicker was able to hit the 29-yard chip shot despite the pain in his plant leg.
Marshawn Lynch made the play of the half for the Seahawks when he scooped up a Russell Wilson fumble for an 18-yard gain that allowed them to drive for Robinson’s touchdown. It was a risky play by Lynch as he avoided the oft-repeated maxim to just fall on the ball, but it worked out for Seattle and helped them turn the tide of the game. An interception by safety Earl Thomas on a deep throw by Robert Griffin III on the next drive also helped on that account.
The half wound up fairly evenly split as the ‘Skins dominated the first 15 minutes, outgaining the Seahawks 129-9, and the Seahawks controlled the next 15 by gaining 172 yards to just 11 for the Redskins. It adds up to a tight game and, hopefully, a second half that continues to make this the most compelling viewing of Wild Card weekend.