The Redskins ended the regular season with a 27-6 victory over Dallas and advanced to the playoffs despite losing many starters throughout the season. The timely performances of inexperienced players and veteran backups such as Doughty and Caldwell helped Washington overcome an inordinate number of injuries in arguably the most difficult season in franchise history, and revealed depth that surprised even the Redskins.

As Washington (9-7) prepares to face the Seattle Seahawks (10-6) in a wild-card game Sunday at Qwest Field, the unsung players who emerged in the Redskins' late-season playoff push now are key contributors on a team that aspires to make a long postseason run. Everyone on the roster is expected to do more, and Washington's higher-profile players welcome the help.

"Guys (have) been forced into roles," running back Clinton Portis said. "I don't think any other team in the league went through as many injuries as we went through, (and) the good thing about it is we (are) finding a way to just plug people in and continue. It's all under the scheme, and guys giving all they got. It might not be the same talent level, but it's the same effort level. They're giving all their effort and making plays. That's how we (are) finding a way to win."

Relying on first- and second-year players and veterans initially projected to play smaller roles, the Redskins won four straight — after losing four in a row — to keep their playoff hopes alive. In addition to Doughty, versatile lineman Lorenzo Alexander, linebacker H.B. Blades, defensive linemen Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery, tackle Stephon Heyer, safety LaRon Landry, cornerback Leigh Torrence and pass-rush specialist Chris Wilson are the other young players who grew up quickly for the Redskins this season. Quarterback Todd Collins, wide receivers Caldwell and Keenan McCardell, linebackers Khary Campbell and Randall Godfrey, guard Jason Fabini, safety Pierson Prioleau and tackle Todd Wade are veterans who have performed well when given opportunities to play because of injuries to others.

Wilson had both of Washington's sacks Sunday, Heyer was steady in his fourth consecutive start at right tackle, coaches said, and Caldwell, the third wide receiver in the game behind Santana Moss and Randle El, provided Collins with another dependable target. And then there's Collins, whose rise from obscurity was the most surprising development in the team's once-improbable run to the playoffs.

Primarily a backup throughout his 13-year NFL career, Collins, 36, has been outstanding since becoming a starter after Jason Campbell dislocated his left kneecap and strained a knee ligament in a 24-16 victory over the Chicago Bears on Dec. 6 (Campbell is not expected to be on the active roster against Seattle). In the winning streak, Collins completed nearly 64 percent of his passes for 888 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. He posted a passer rating of at least 104 in three of his four games, and his 106.4 rating overall was second-best in the league in December.

Collins went 22 for 31 for 244 yards and one touchdown in the victory over Dallas. "You couldn't expect him to play any better," Coach Joe Gibbs said.

Of all the players thrust into more significant roles, however, Doughty probably faced the biggest challenge — he had to follow Taylor. At the time of his death, Taylor, who was 24, was leading the league with five interceptions. In nine games, he had 42 tackles, including 32 solo tackles, and one forced fumble while serving as the anchor of the Redskins' base cover-2 defense.

Statistics, however, told only part of the story. Taylor, named posthumously to the Pro Bowl, had a well-deserved reputation as one of the biggest hitters in the game, and opponents were reluctant to challenge the Redskins with deep passes because of his presence at the back of the zone coverage.