A fascinating quarter for punting aficionados ended with both teams unable to find any rhythm on offense. The Redskins failed to get a first down on any of their first four possessions; the Seahawks had one turnover and four punts. The one time the Seahawks managed to move the ball -- on their first possession -- NFL most valuable player Shaun Alexander turned it over. The running back fumbled at the Washington 12-yard line, dropping it before the Redskins touched him. The quarter only would get worse for Alexander, who suffered a concussion on a running play three possessions later. After taking a hit to the head, Alexander spent a few minutes lying on the field. Then he walked to the sideline with the help of trainers and sat out the rest of the game. Reserve Maurice Morris came into the game to replace Alexander, charged with igniting a struggling offense.

The Redskins got the ball back on another turnover in the second quarter, and this time they took full advantage. Punter Derrick Frost booted a high ball, and Jimmy Williams decided to catch it in heavy traffic. Williams muffed the ball, and Pierson Prioleau recovered. Two first downs later, place kicker John Hall broke a scoreless tie with a 26-yard field goal. But Seattle also broke through on offense. After backup running back Maurice Morris ground out a few first downs, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw deep to wide receiver Darrell Jackson. Hasselbeck's pass came in low and over the wrong shoulder, but Jackson spun around to make a 29-yard touchdown catch. Neither team would score again, and the Seahawks trotted into halftime with a 7-3 lead. The sellout crowd at Qwest Field stood to applaud a team as the players and coaches made their way to the locker room.

Seattle took control when Matt Hasselbeck made like Shaun Alexander about five minutes into the quarter, running to the outside for a six-yard touchdown. Hasselbeck pump-faked on his way the corner pylon, temporarily halting the Redskins' defense from pursuing him. The score gave Seattle a 14-3 lead, a large margin against a struggling offense. The Redskins, after all, hardly could move the ball. When they finally did manage to drive into scoring position, they botched their opportunity. The Redskins drove to the Seattle 30-yard line, but an intentional grounding penalty backed them up. Instead of trying a 50-yard field goal, the Redskins decided to go for it on a fourth and 13. Typical of his game so far, Brunell hardly had a chance to look down the field before defensive end Bryce Fisher broke through and tossed him to the ground for a sack and a fumble.

Just when it looked like the Redskins' offense might never break through, Washington caught a lucky break with about 12 minutes left. Quarterback Mark Brunell tried to thread a pass to Santana Moss, but Andre Dyson dived and deflected it. The ball ricocheted off Moss's chest and dropped into his arms for a 20-yard touchdown catch. On the next play, the Redskins received another gift. Josh Scobey dived for some extra yards on a kick return and fumbled the ball. Place kicker John Hall recovered at the Seattle 40, giving Washington a chance to tie the game. After a few first downs, though, the Redskins stumbled. Hall eventually missed a 36-yarder, and Josh Brown made a 31-yarder. That final kick caused two things to end simultaneously: Washington's comeback attempt, and in effect Washington's season.