NFL PLAYOFFS : Redskins Leave Falcons in Mud : NFC: Washington forces six turnovers while committing none and advances to conference title game, 24-7.

Amid the day-long drizzle, the mud, the wind and the seat cushions that sporadically poured out of the RFK Stadium stands Saturday, the high-flying Atlanta Falcons sputtered, losing to the Washington Redskins, 24-7, in the NFC divisional playoffs before 55,181.

“This game was all about Redskin pride,” quarterback Mark Rypien said. “It was Redskins football.”

Falcon pride was battered by six turnovers. Chris Miller threw four interceptions, repeatedly giving the Redskins good field position. From there, the Redskins controlled the clock and forced Atlanta into impatience and further errors.

“I think our offensive linemen, before the game when they saw the weather and the mud, they had big smiles on their faces,” Rypien said. “They knew that because of the weather and the conditions, the game would be in their hands.

“And lo and behold, that’s how it was. My hat’s off to those guys.”

The Falcon defense, seeking to avoid the 56-17 embarrassment Washington handed them in November, played cautiously, rarely blitzing and usually dropping back into soft zones. So instead of going for the big plays, the Redskins slowly wore Atlanta into submission.

“I did like it,” Redskin tackle Joe Jacoby said of the conditions. “I enjoy it. I look at this way: offensive linemen know where we’re going. . . . That gives us the advantage with the footing and everything. Hopefully, we can get them slipping and sliding.”

Rypien, who was 14 for 29 for 170 yards and only one interception despite the 30-m.p.h. wind and slippery conditions, was not sacked.

With rookie Ricky Ervins leading all rushers with 104 yards in 23 carries, including a skittery 17-yard touchdown run to open the scoring, Washington piled up 165 rushing yards on 45 attempts. The Redskins did not fumble.

“With the weather the way it was, we knew the key would be holding onto the ball,” Ervins said. “So Earnest (Byner) and Gerald (Riggs) and myself, we just made sure to not let it go.”

The Falcons let go of the ball from the outset and kept letting go throughout. After wasting a couple of early opportunities--Pro Bowl kicker Chip Lohmiller missed three of four field goal attempts--the Redskins cashed in with points when they had to.

“We knew this game would come down to not making turnovers, sustaining drives and making plays here and there,” Rypien said. “That’s what we did.”

Atlanta’s passing attack had produced victories in five of their last six games. But in the wind and mud, without benefit of any kind of running attack from their “Red Gun” four-wideout set--they had 43 yards rushing--the Falcons forced the ball into the air.

“I wouldn’t let my kids play in that stuff,” Miller said of the mud. “It was flat impossible at times to stay on my feet. With us counting on throwing the ball so much, it’s really tough to get things going. At the end I couldn’t throw anything.”

Miller threw an interception to end Atlanta’s first possession, and the pattern was set.

“I don’t think they know what conservative is,” Redskin defensive end Charles Mann said of the Falcons. “They’re run and shoot, and throwing is what they do. They were trying to go out and win it.”

Receiver Mike Haynes, who had two long scoring receptions during the Falcons’ victory over the New Orleans Saints in the wild-card game, was blanketed by Redskin cornerback Darrell Green and caught only one pass Saturday. He fumbled it--setting up the Redskins’ last touchdown drive in the fourth quarter.

The Redskins, who finished the regular season with a league-best record of 14-2, seemed pleased to be the ones who finally quieted the brash Falcons.

“I think they tried to talk themselves into getting ready for this game,” Mann said. “I think they hid behind their words trying to get confidence against us.

“And I don’t think it was possible for them to really be confident going into playing us, especially after we beat them, 56-17, last time. The odds were stacked our way.”

Said Atlanta Coach Jerry Glanville: “The all-time high in the NFL is when you win a playoff game. The all-time low is when you lose.”