Raljon, MD (My Sportsbook) - Severe thunderstorms and frequent lightning delayed the start for more than an hour, then halted play for good in the third quarter with the Washington Redskins leading the Baltimore Ravens, 13-7, at FedEx Field.

Play was suspended with 11:38 remaining in the third stanza after the stadium lights dimmed following a lightning strike close to the field. Players returned to the locker rooms and fans scurried for cover in the concourse areas for the second time.

Redskins officials actually cleared the field and the entire seating area before the game when heavy rains began falling around 7:20 p.m. The stadium lights flickered off and on, while deafening cracks of thunder echoed from the sky.

In between the mess from Mother Nature, some football was actually played.

A 40-yard strike from Todd Collins to Santana Moss set up Washington's first score, a 45-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham at 10:38 in the first quarter.

Baltimore answered with a 13-play, 70-yard scoring drive in the second, capped by a 6-yard TD pass from Steve McNair to Derrick Mason.

Suisham also converted from 25 yards out on a 15-play, penalty-aided drive just before halftime to make it 7-6 Ravens.

Washington came back with a defensive score in the third, as Anthony Trucks blitzed and knocked the ball away from Kyle Boller. The ball ended up in the hands of rookie linebacker Dallas Sartz, who rumbled three yards for the touchdown to give the Redskins the lead before the game was eventually stopped.

Collins, competing against Mark Brunell for the No. 2 quarterback job, finished 8-for-15 for 88 yards for Washington.

McNair finished 14-for-19 for 98 yards and a touchdown for Baltimore.

The Redskins played without six starters, mostly due to injury. The Ravens also had three projected starters not in uniform, then lost three more players in the first half. Defensive tackle Trevor Pryce left with back spasms, safety Ed Reed suffered a bruised thigh and linebacker Prescott Burgess went down with a concussion.