The Redskins hit a big play on their second possession when tailback Clinton Portis ran around the right side and broke loose for a 47-yard touchdown with 10 minutes 29 seconds to play. The defense did the rest in the opening period, limiting the Rams to seven rushing yards and confusing rookie quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Rams tied the game with an 11-play drive that covered 86 yards and used five minutes. Fitzpatrick capped the possession with a seven-yard touchdown run on first and goal. The Redskins retook the lead on their next possession, moving from their 17-yard line to the Rams 5 before getting a 38-yard field goal from John Hall.

The Redskins had a promising drive that began at their 10-yard line, but they were unable to score. Clinton Portis ran for 12 and nine yards on the first two plays, and Mark Brunell completed a 19-yard pass to Chris Cooley and an 11-yarder to Santana Moss to get into Rams territory. A holding penalty on Chris Samuels negated that 11-yard completion, and two plays later the Redskins punted.

The Redskins got a one-yard touchdown run from Clinton Portis early in the quarter that capped a 69-yard drive and made the score 17-7. The Rams got a safety when Brunell batted his fumble out of the end zone, but the Redskins answered with a four-yard touchdown pass from Brunell to Cooley to complete the scoring.