The Associated Press

ASHBURN

Jim Zorn has warm memories of Seattle, a place he called home for decades.

For most of his Washington Redskins players, thoughts of the city include a couple of playoff nightmares.

* Jan. 14, 2006: Seahawks 20, Redskins 10, second round.

* Jan. 5, 2008: Seahawks 35, Redskins 14, first round.

"They have had our number," cornerback Carlos Rogers said.

The Redskins (6-4) hope to exorcise a demon or two Sunday when they return to Seattle to face the Seahawks (2-8). There's no wearing blinders for this one - those two stinging losses still are too raw.

"This'll be a new game," defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. "But at the same time we feel like we have to go in and finish."

Finish what they didn't do the past two times - hold on to a lead.

The loss in 2006 included one of the most-discussed plays in Redskins lore in recent years. It was the second quarter, and John Hall had given Washington a 3-0 lead with a 26-yard field goal. On Seattle's next drive, Rogers dropped an easy interception. It was a sure touchdown that would have made it 10-0.

In the 2008 game, the Redskins scored two quick touchdowns to turn a 13-0 deficit into a 14-13 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks misfielded the ensuing kickoff, and Anthony Mix recovered for Washington at the 14-yard line.

The Redskins failed to convert the break into a touchdown, though, and Shaun Suisham missed a 30-yard field goal attempt to give back the momentum to Seattle . The Seahawks reeled off three touchdowns in the waning minutes.

Each team has turned a page or two since. Joe Gibbs coached both of those games for the Redskins; now, Zorn is in charge. Washington starting quarterback Jason Campbell didn't play in either game. The Seahawks have had a terrible, injury-marred year and won't be around to threaten the Redskins - or anyone else - come playoff time.

Zorn's presence adds plenty of intrigue, given his legendary status as a longtime quarterback and quarterbacks coach with the Seahawks. He brought Seattle's West Coast offense with him to Washington, which means Sunday's game will feature two offenses that mirror each other.

"It's going to come down to which defense makes that play because they know our offense, and we know their offense," Rogers said. The thing about it is, 'Who's going to go down and make that play on defense?' "

Of course, in the chess match known as game-planning, Zorn and coach Mike Holmgren could throw in a wrinkle or two just to fool each other.

"They know that coach Zorn has been telling us everything, so they're going to put in some things - and we've probably got some new things for them, too," Rogers said.

The Redskins have been careful to say they aren't bent on exacting revenge. The stakes are too high now that a two-game losing streak has dropped Washington back into the pack in the playoff race.

"New coach, new season, different situation," linebacker Khary Campbell said. "Instead of being the playoffs, it's a regular-season game. But it's counts like a playoff game for us."