(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
The Redskins scored a two run walk off home run to beat the Rams 9-7 on……no wait. The Redskins mustered up only 3 field goals despite penetrating the Red Zone five times Sunday afternoon; however it turned out to be enough to pull out a 9-7 victory over the St. Louis Rams. The game played out very similar to the contest between these two teams last year in which it was the Rams who won by 2 points. The Redskins are clearly the more talented team but that factor alone does not always translate into victories. The Redskins once again dominated the game statistically but were absolutely dreadful in the Red Zone. Jason Campbell had a decent day passing for 242 yards with no interceptions but had little to show for it on the scoreboard. As a team the Redskins out gained the Rams in total yardage 362-245. Washington also held the definitive advantage in time of possession by 9 minutes. Campbell would march the Skins down the field often in clock eating fashion but came up short each time in crossing the ball over the goal line. With the Redskins unable to score touchdowns the Rams stayed in the game. As the game progressed St. Louis became the more confident team despite the statistical disadvantage. As the old adage says “if you let a team stick around too much, you’re going to get burned”.
St. Louis led 7-6 at halftime and had an opportunity to retake the lead in the 4th quarter as they drove down deep into Washington territory. On 3rd and 4 from the Washington 9 Marc Bulger threw to an open Donnie Avery that would have given the Rams a 1st and goal at the Redskins 3 yard line. Chris Horton however would have none of it as he put his helmet on the football jarring it loose. The Redskins fell on the ball to recover the fumble. It was Avery who helped set up the Rams game winning field last year but today the Redskins would have their revenge. It was only the second time the Rams would get into the Red Zone all day and they would pay dearly for not taking advantage. The St. Louis Rams defense nearly tied the game up on the next series as Jason Campbell was sacked the only time all day for what seemed to be a safety. Campbell however was just able to get the ball far enough up field as the referee’s called the ball down at about the 2 inch line. Washington would go three and out and the Redskins defense was able to hold Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson & Co. in check for the remainder of the game to secure Washington’s first Win of the season.
St. Louis has to be pleased with how they played defensively. They kept big play receiver Santana Moss in check all day and held Washington to just 3.8 yards per carry on the ground. Offensively the Rams had a strong day on the ground. Steven Jackson had an excellent day gaining over 100 yards averaging 6.1 yards per carry. It was Jackson’s 62 yard run in the 2nd quarter that set up St. Louis’ only score of the day, a two yard touchdown pass from Bulger to rising star wide receiver Laurent Robinson. Jackson was able to grind out yards in the 2nd half keeping the Washington defense guessing which attributed to the Rams converting 50% of their 3rd downs into 1st and 10. The Redskins can’t be pleased with their opponents 3rd down efficiency. They struggled getting off the field on third down against the Giants last week as well. Defensive Coordinator Greg Blatche will be working to correct the problem as the Redskins Offense hopes to get into a rhythm next week against the Detroit Lions. It would be a disaster if the Lions were able to break their 18 game losing streak against Washington. Because of this I would still consider next weeks game a must win despite being so early in the season.
On a side note I find the FOX NFL Robot exceptionally annoying. Especially when it does the Electric slide. A Robot has nothing to do with football much less a robot doing the electric slide. Please can I get a witness!
