Packers Flag Down a Win Over the Redskins

Clinton Portis celebrated the apparent winning touchdown with a leap into the end zone, capping a 43-yard reception that gave the Washington Redskins a one-point lead over the Green Bay Packers with 2 minutes 35 seconds to play at Landover, Md.

Oops. Scratch that. Flag on the play.

Receiver James Thrash was called for illegal motion, a penalty Thrash didn’t understand and one that Washington Coach Joe Gibbs called “an absolute mystery.”

The Packers had a different feeling: sheer relief.

Al Harris intercepted a pass on the next play, and the Packers drove for an insurance touchdown to cap a 28-14 victory Sunday.

Brett Favre had an erratic game, playing with a sprained hand, a banged thumb and the distraction of his wife’s undergoing breast cancer treatment. He completed 20 of 33 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown and three interceptions.

But the play everyone will remember is the negated touchdown.

“I was exhausted,” Washington tackle Chris Samuels said. “I was chasing Clinton all over the field after we scored the touchdown trying to hug him. I was like, ‘Slow down, man. I’m trying to celebrate with you.’ Then, I turned around and saw the officials calling us back. It’s just disappointing. It’s tough.”

The other perspective?

“I won’t even lie to you -- my heart sank when I saw him run into the end zone,” said Green Bay’s Bhawoh Jue, who made his first start since 2001 in place of injured safety Darren Sharper. “I have full confidence in my offense, but I’m glad they didn’t have to go back out.”

The flag was apparently thrown because Thrash was not set for a full second after going into motion on the play. He said he didn’t want to comment on the call because he “didn’t know for sure” if it was the right one.

Gibbs didn’t seem satisfied with the explanation the officials gave him.

“They said it was James Thrash,” Gibbs said. “I know it wasn’t James. He’s super-smart and doesn’t make mistakes like that.... It’s an absolute mystery to me.”

Seattle 23, Carolina 17 -- Shaun Alexander had 195 yards in 32 carries at Seattle, and Matt Hasselbeck recovered from a dismal performance last weekend, throwing for 201 yards to help the Seahawks end a three-game losing streak.

The Panthers lost their fifth in a row.

Josh Brown kicked three field goals in the second half, connecting from 27, 45 and 22 yards to give the Seahawks a comfortable cushion. His last kick put Seattle ahead, 23-10, with 5:42 to play.

Carolina was driving for a possible late score, but any chance of a rally was dimmed when Jake Delhomme threw an interception straight to Seattle’s Marcus Trufant, who returned it 57 yards.

Delhomme was 19 for 36 for 248 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

Chicago 23, San Francisco 13 -- Nathan Vasher’s stumbling interception and 71-yard return sealed a wobbly victory for the Bears at Chicago.

When officials ruled after video replay that Vasher was not touched down by contact -- his knee hit the ground -- because he was bobbling the ball, the rookie’s touchdown return with 3:52 left stood, and the Bears had ended a four-game losing streak.

Chicago rookie Craig Krenzel made his first NFL start, and Ken Dorsey got the nod for the 49ers.

The two squared off in the national title game after the 2002 season when Krenzel led Ohio State past Dorsey and Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.

Dorsey was harassed by a strong pass rush and hurt by lack of a running game -- the 49ers had only 12 yards rushing in the first half, 62 for the game.

Dorsey was 16 for 36 for 122 yards, and Krenzel was 13 for 25 for 168.