The Seahawks opened the playoffs without a former Super Bowl MVP. Wide receiver Deion Branch was inactive for the Seahawks' NFC wild-card playoff game against Washington on Saturday because of a strained right calf. Instead of playing, Branch, wearing street clothes and a white, down Seahawks' coat, entered a huddle of Redskins' defensive backs during pregame warmups and traded pointed comments and gestures with them. After a heated minute, game officials and Seattle Defensive Backs Coach Jim Mora intervened to separate Branch from trouble.