Seattle Times:Capsule preview: Seattle at Washington

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Seahawks

Capsule preview: Seattle at Washington

DONNA MCWILLIAM / AP

Washington quarterback Patrick Ramsey has been pounded by sacks this season. This one came during Washington's 21-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday. Ramsey had to leave the game in the fourth quarter.

When: Today, 10 a.m.

Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.

TV: Ch. 13. Radio: KIRO (710 AM).

Line: Seattle by 3.

Last game

Seahawks: For three quarters, the Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers fought a defensive battle, but both offenses came alive in the fourth quarter at Seahawks Stadium. Seattle won, 23-16, as wide receiver Darrell Jackson overcame a dropped pass that would have been a touchdown in the first half to catch a TD in the fourth quarter, then set up another with a 43-yard gain to the Pittsburgh 2. Free safety Damien Robinson, making his first start of the season, led the Seahawks with nine total tackles, and linebacker Chad Brown had a big game against his former team with two sacks. Kicker Josh Brown hit three field goals to improve to 13 of 16 for the season.

Washington: Washington forced three turnovers in the first quarter but couldn't deal with the Dallas Cowboys' blitz and fell 21-14 at Texas Stadium. QB Patrick Ramsey had to leave the game in the fourth quarter because of the pounding he took. WR Taylor Jacobs caught the first touchdown pass of his pro career as Washington mounted a fourth-quarter comeback after trailing 21-6, but it wasn't enough. Safety Ifeanyi Ohalete intercepted his third pass of the season for Washington, which is plus-three in turnover margin this season.

The last time

The Seahawks dropped a 14-3 decision to Washington on Nov. 3 of last season at Seahawks Stadium. The key play was DE Bruce Smith's sack of QB Matt Hasselbeck when the Seahawks went for the touchdown on fourth-and-goal at the 2 with 17 seconds left in the first half. That thwarted the Seahawks' best chance for a touchdown, and on the first drive of the second half, Smith sacked Hasselbeck again deep in Washington territory, forcing a fumble that the Redskins recovered. Kenny Watson, an unheralded backup, ran for 110 yards for Washington.

What to expect

The Redskins not only are wounded in terms of injuries, their pride is hurting as they find themselves on a four-game losing streak. They hardly have a running game, their offense is being criticized and speculation has grown about the job security of coach Steve Spurrier. This is the type of game the Seahawks should win, but much like the Cincinnati loss, they have to handle the expectations of winning. The Seahawks need as close to a break-even record on the road as possible to get into the playoffs, which makes this game even more important. Expect yet another close game.

Notable

Seattle: RB Shaun Alexander needs 100 yards to pass Ricky Watters as the third leading career rusher in team history. ... TE Itula Mili needs one TD catch for a season high. ... Coach Mike Holmgren has never defeated Washington in his career (0-2).

Washington: LB LaVar Arrington is tied for the NFL lead among linebackers with three forced fumbles. ... K John Hall is second in the league in touchbacks with seven. ... Ramsey and Hasselbeck both have 145 completions this season.

Injury report

Seattle: DT Norman Hand (biceps) is doubtful. WR Koren Robinson (ankle) is questionable. LB Chad Brown (foot) and FS Ken Hamlin (foot) are probable.

Washington: RB Ladell Betts (arm) and C Larry Moore (foot) are doubtful. CB Rashad Bauman (ankle), RB Trung Canidate (ankle), DL Martin Chase (calf), S Todd Franz (ankle), DT Jermaine Haley (hand, shoulder), RB Sultan McCullough (hand) and RB Chad Morton (ankle) are questionable. LB LaVar Arrington (knee, hand), CB Champ Bailey (wrist, shoulder), QB Patrick Ramsey (finger, forearm), DE Bruce Smith (hand) and CB Fred Smoot (chest) are probable.

— José Miguel Romero

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company