SEATTLE - Another offensive bust, another win for the Washington Redskins.

For the second straight week, the Washington offense followed a solid first half with a weak second half. But a backup running back making his first career start and the defense carried the burden of sealing the team's 14-3 victory yesterday over the Seattle Seahawks before 64,325 at Seahawks Stadium.

After scoring two touchdowns on 151 yards of total offense and 10 first downs in the first half, the Redskins could muster only 108 yards of total offense and six first downs en route to posting zero points in the second half.

"We went out there and scored enough points to win," said offensive tackle Chris Samuels, who returned to the starting lineup after missing last week's game against Indianapolis. "But we had a lot of missed opportunities. We left a lot of touchdowns on the field."

Although Washington evened its record at 4-4 by winning its second consecutive game, coach Steve Spurrier wasn't handing out bouquets during his post-game news conference.

"They had eight [defensive] guys up there. If we can't throw against that, we're in for a long day," he said. "We didn't throw, catch, pass-block, and do some things very well. But that's the way it went. It sort of got to the point where we just figured out that we can't throw and catch it. We better just try to run and win the game. That's what we did in the fourth quarter."

Quarterback Shane Matthews completed just 10 of 27 passing attempts for 114 yards - just four for 44 yards in the second half. He threw two touchdowns and was intercepted and sacked just once.

Washington's saving grace was its defense, ranked eighth in the league.

Although Seattle (2-6) gained 324 yards and penetrated the Redskins' 40-yard line on all four second-half possessions, the defense thwarted every attempt by forcing the Seahawks to punt twice, stopping a fourth-down conversion, and causing a fumble.

Cornerback Fred Smoot led the unit with 11 tackles, and defensive tackle Daryl Gardener and strong safety Sam Shade each produced sacks, but defensive end Bruce Smith shined the brightest.

The 18-year veteran moved closer to Reggie White's all-time career sacks record by getting Matt Hasselbeck twice. Smith, who has three sacks this season and 189 in his career, is nine away from tying White's mark.

Smith, who said he has not been playing as much as he anticipated this year, registered his first sack on the second-to-last play of the second quarter.

With Seattle down 14-3 and having fourth-and-goal at the Redskins' 2-yard line Smith beat left tackle Walter Jones and sacked Hasselbeck for a nine-yard loss.

Smith said he wasn't shocked that the Seahawks decided to go for the touchdown rather than settle for a field goal.

"They felt their backs were up against the wall, and they were in four-down territory. So it just backfired," he said. "It was a good call by [defensive coordinator] Marvin [Lewis], and we pretty much knew what the protection was going to be and we were able to take advantage of it."

Smith did it again with Seattle threatening again on its first series of the second half.

On third-and-10 from Washington's 21-yard line, Smith sacked Hasselbeck and stripped him of the football. Defensive end Renaldo Wynn recovered at the 32-yard line.

The defense limited Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander to 19 carries for 67 yards - 43 yards less than Redskin Kenny Watson, who filled in admirably for Stephen Davis (sprained right knee).

Watson, who mixed his slashing style with power runs up the middle, said he knew he would be making his first career start after spending much of last season on the practice squad.

"It was very satisfying," said Watson. "I played the game in my head all week long, and I wanted to come out and really contribute to the team."

Added Samuels: "I think the other team was probably a little excited that Stephen Davis wasn't going to be able to play. [But] we hit them with our other guy. Kenny came in and played well."

For the fifth time this season, the Redskins posted the game's first points when Matthews threw an 11-yard strike to wide receiver Darnerien McCants in the back of the end zone with 7:34 left in the first quarter. It was McCants' second touchdown in as many games.

The Seahawks cut the deficit to four just three seconds into the second quarter off a Rian Lindell 23-yard field goal.

But on the next series, Washington capped a six-play, 60-yard drive when Matthews correctly noted that the Seattle defense was planning to blitz.

Matthews called an audible for a quick screen to Rod Gardner, who scampered 19 yards into the end zone.

Still, Matthews acknowledged that his play left a lot to be desired.

"You're going to have your bad days. Obviously, I need to play better to go where we need to go," he said. "But we're going to enjoy the win. A win's a win, and wins are hard to get in this league."