Seattle cornerback and kick returner Josh Wilson has made plays that have put his team in position to score the last three weeks, solidifying his position as a starting cornerback and the Seahawks' top kick returner.

Wilson finished with five kick returns for 124 yards against Washington on Sunday. Wilson's returns included a 55-yarder to open the second half that put the Seahawks in great field position, but Seattle managed to squander the prime scoring opportunity by failing to move the ball, leading to kicker Olindo Mare missing a 53-yard field goal.

Wilson has developed into a key weapon for Seattle on special teams. He's had three straight games with returns of 50 yards or more. Wilson is fourth in the league in total kick return yards (1,032), and has six returns of 40 yards or longer on the season.

"I just try to do what I can to help the team out," Wilson said. "If it's giving them a boost, that's what I try to do. And it gives our offense a chance to make a play."

Wilson also is playing with more confidence in the secondary as a starting cornerback. He finished with four tackles and a pass deflection. He also got into a shoving match with Washington wide receiver Santana Moss in the second quarter, with Moss taking a swing at Wilson and earning a 15-yard personal-foul penalty.

"He overreacted and he got a 15-yard flag, so it helped our defense out," Wilson said about the play. "I got a helmet on. I mean, unless you've got a cement block, it's not going to hurt me."

Defense expects more turnovers, thank you

Creating turnovers was an important part of Seattle's successful run defensively last season, with the Seahawks ranking fifth in the league in takeaways at plus-10. However, Seattle's defense has struggled in that category this year. The Seahawks currently are minus-3 in takeaways this season - 21st overall.

Seattle's defense managed just one turnover against Washington, a fumble forced by Brian Russell and Julian Peterson that stopped a late drive and gave the Seahawks one last chance to tie the game. However, Matt Hasselbeck was picked off by ex-Seahawk Shawn Springs on the following play.

Washington picked up two turnovers, both Hasselbeck interceptions.

"The turnover battle usually tells the tale," Seattle linebacker Lofa Tatupu said. "And in a tough battle like it was today, it's a mindset, you know? And apparently we're going in with the wrong mindset. We've got to go in expecting to get a body on them, but rip that ball out."

Russell said Washington's conservative offensive attack limited the defense's chances to make a big play.

"If we find a way to get some pressure on the quarterback, maybe we pick off one of those short ones," Russell said. "Maybe we pop (Clinton) Portis in the hole and get the ball out earlier in the game. But we didn't. We got the one, and we got to find a way to get a few more on Thursday."

Extra points

Cornerback Kelly Jennings once again was victimized by a pass-interference call, this one leading to Washington's first touchdown. In the second quarter, Jennings was in one-on-one coverage against Moss, who was running a stop-and-go fly pattern down the left sideline. Jason Campbell's pass forced Moss to drift out of bounds in the end zone, but officials called interference on Jennings at the 14, giving the Redskins the ball there. They scored four plays later. "I thought it was (ticky-tack), but there was a little contact when he tried to get going again," Jennings said. "Not that I understand where it came from, but I can see where they made the call. When I turned to get position, I bumped him a little bit." ... The Seahawks placed center Chris Spencer on the injury report Saturday because his back stiffened up at practice. Steve Vallos practiced for Spencer on Saturday, but Spencer was in the starting lineup against Washington and played the entire game. "Chris got through the game fine," Holmgren said. ... As Holmgren was jogging off the field after the game, he was approached by Springs, who made the game-saving interception for Washington. "You are still the man," Springs told Holmgren. Then, just before he jogged away, he said to Holmgren, "Big Show. Big Show." Springs is the one who bestowed Holmgren with that nickname. Holmgren just smiled.

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Frank Hughes contributed to this report.

Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437