The Redskins exacted revenge for the close mid-season loss to the Bucs and moved on into the divisional playoffs. This was the kind of game most had expected the first time around - low-scoring, hard-hitting, and dominated by defense.

In the first quarter, the game had the look of a blowout in the making. The teams swapped punts to open the game, then with six minutes left in the first Washington's defense erupted with two big plays. Joe Salavea deflected a pass into Lavar Arrington's hands, and he returned the ball to Tampa's six. On the Skins' first play, Portis scampered around the end to score the opening TD. After the kickoff, the Bucs began mounting a drive, moving the ball just into Redskins territory. But 'Cadillac' Williams fumbled the ball after being hit. Marcus Washington picked it up, but then fumbled it just about at midfield. As the ball rolled between a group of players, Shawn Taylor burst from behind the pack, scooped up the ball, and ran to the end zone. His 51 yard fumble return TD was his second in two weeks.

The teams traded field goals to close the first half, with the Redskins mounting their only sustained drive of the game, going to halftime with the score 17-3.

The second-half was a nail-biter for the Redskins. Slowed by conservative play calling, a banged up Portis, and a vicious Bucs defense, Washington could not move the ball at all. Tampa struck back on their first drive of the second half, closing the score to 17-10.

As the game wore on, a series of Redskins miscues seemed to give the Bucs golden opportunities to at least tie the game. Shawn Taylor was flagged and ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, allegedly spitting on Michael Pittman, keeping one drive alive. Frost shanked a 14 yard punt, setting Tampa up near midfield. And Mark Brunell threw an interception with less than four minutes left in the game, giving Tampa the ball at the Washington 35. But the Redskins defense rose to each challenge, preventing the Bucs from scoring a tying touchdown. The only moment of drama came when Jon Gruden challenged a called dropped incomplete pass in the Redskins' end zone. The call on the field stood, and the Bucs squandered their last chance to pull back into the game.