The Redskins struck first thanks to their defense, which forced quarterback Kerry Collins into an interception that linebacker Lemar Marshall returned 17 yards for a touchdown. The Raiders had a chance to tie when they moved to the Redskins 2-yard line, but a touchdown to Randy Moss was called back because he pushed off, and they had to settle for a 30-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski.

Place kicker John Hall capped a 13-play drive with a 24-yard field goal with 7 minutes 57 seconds left in the first half for a 10-3 lead. Santana Moss caught two critical third-down passes to keep the drive alive, including a 14-yard reception to the Raiders 12 despite an illegal contact call on Oakland. The Redskins added a 45-yard field goal just before halftime.

The Raiders got back into the game on the fourth play of the period when Collins completed a 49-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerry Porter, who had beaten Marshall. Clinton Portis's second fumble ruined decent field position for the Redskins and led to an Oakland drive that rolled to a first down at the Washington 24, but the Redskins held.

The Raiders moved the Redskins 3-yard line, but Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington stopped tailback LaMont Jordan for a four-yard loss, forcing Janikowski to kick a 25-yard field goal to tie the game at 13. Oakland got the winning field goal from Janikowski with 1:08 to play after failing to score from the Redskins 1. The Redskins got to the Raiders 43 before stalling on fourth down.