We’re taking it right down to the wire as the Los Angeles Rams (1-0) host their head coach’s former former employer, the Washington Redskins (0-1).
I got attacked by an Ent from the Lord of the Rings (a tree knocked the power and internet out across my whole community, so these are coming in hot and just in time.
The Game: Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Rams (-3)
The History
The Redskins have a significant lead in the series, 25-13-1, dating all the way back to November, 1937.
Washington won the last match up, 24-10, back in September 2015 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Before that the Rams had won twice in 2014 and 2015, which is even more shocking when you consider those were Jeff Fisher coached teams.
The Redskins won the first five games between the two teams from November, 1937 to November, 1944. The Rams broke the streak with a playoff win in December, 1945 when they were still playing in Cleveland.
Washington and Los Angeles have met four times in the playoffs with the teams splitting the results, 2-2.
The longest Rams win streak was three games in the Greatest Show on Turf days, beginning in November, 2000 to December, 2005.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (0-1)
Kirk Cousins started the season off bu shitting a giant turd in the middle of his home stadium, barely crossing 50 percent passing for 240 yards, one touchdown and a pick. While I don’t like Cousins’ chances to match his previous success without Sean McVay calling plays, I don’t think the guy is that kind of a disaster. I expect an improved outing this week, even against the Rams’ defense.
Cousins’ biggest problem is the team let all his receivers flee the area in free agency. Last week you would expect Jamison Crowder to be his favorite target, but it was Terrelle Pryor Sr. and Ron Grant. Pryor caught six passes for 66 yards and Grant had four catches for 61.
His only touchdown pass went to running back Chris Thompson. That’s really all Thompson did as no Redskins back rushed for more than 30 yards and one of those was Cousins.
Defensively, this is still a unit that can get after the quarterback Ryan Kerrigan on the outside. They also have a solid defensive backfield, led by Josh Norman. Norman will likely be matched up on Sammy Watkins most of the day.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (1-0)
The Rams delivered a legitimate beat down to the Colts on both sides of the ball last week, but all anyone wants to talk about is Jared Goff actually looking like a real NFL quarterback. And, frankly, that’s what they should be talking about.
Goff was the third highest rated QB in Week One, posting a 117.9 rating and completing 21 of 29 passes for 396 yards and a touchdown with no picks. He spread the ball around to eight different receivers, with Watkins and Todd Gurley leading the way with five catches apiece and Cooper Kupp with the yardage, four catches for 76 and a score.
Los Angeles’ defense completely dominated the hapless Colts, with Robert Quinn picking up his first sack as outside linebacker in Phillips’ 3-4 scheme. He’ll be joined by Aaron Donald this week and don’t expect it to take long to see his impact on the field. The biggest bright side was the Rams’ secondary, which looked a lot like Denver’s secondary as they took picks to the house when delivered by an inept Scott Tolzien. I’m not sure Cousins will be as generous this week.
The Pick
It’s hard to pick the Rams to win back-to-back games to open the season as they haven’t done it since 2001 when Kurt Warner was the quarterback and Marshall Faulk was in the backfield. Still, I think McVay will have some nice surprises for his old boss, Jay Gruden, and Phillips’ defense, with Donald, can get the job done. Cousins will bounce back, but it won’t be enough. Rams 23, Redskins 20
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 1-0
Season
Straight up: 10-6
Against the spread: 9-7
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