The Redskins continued their run / stop-the-run emphasis, this time with positive results.

Washington opened the game by scoring on two out of three drives. The Skins quickly drove from their own 29 deep into Saints' territory behind strong running by Betts and a 20 yard scamper by Randle El. Campbell botched a snap on a red-zone third-and-one and Washington settled for a FG. After trading a few punts, the Redskins took over at their own 20 late in the first quarter. On third down, Campbell hit Cooley for a rambling 44 yard catch-and-run. On the next play, Santana Moss caught a Campbell strike in the back of the end zone for a TD to pull the Skins ahead 10-0.

New Orleans got the ensuing kickoff at their own 20 and finally got their vaunted offense in gear. They methodically drove the field behind quick Brees passes and some Deuce McAllister runs, ending the drive with a 1 yard McAllister TD run. Washington's offense responded, driving 60 yards led by more dominant Betts running. The drive again bogged down in the red zone, and the Skins settled for a FG to pull away to 13-7.

Both defenses stiffened in the third quarter, and there was no more scoring until early in the fourth quarter when New Orleans managed another drive for a FG, making it 13-10. The Saints' next threat was cut short by a Carlos Rogers interception of a long pass attempt. Washington was able to continue pounding the ball on the Saints defense, this time getting again into FG range, opening a 16-10 lead. New Orleans got the ball with about 4 minutes left and drove all the way to the Redskins 16. But Brees could not get the ball into the end zone, and his fourth-down attempt was swatted away by Rogers. Washington's sideline erupted in celebration as time ran out.