Ceci Ferrara
September 21, 2015
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
After an ugly loss to the Dolphins in the season opener, the Washington Redskins shocked the St. Louis Rams in a 24-10 victory Sunday at FedEx Field.
While Kirk Cousins was efficient — 23 of 27 for 207 yards and a 4-yard TD pass to Pierre Garcon — he was not the star of the game. Instead, rookie running back Matt Jones, relatively unknown before the game, stole the spotlight, rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Starting RB Alfred Morris, who ran for over 100 yards last week, had a strong, but less spectacular outing with 59 yards.
“That is the blueprint that we want to have,” said coach Jay Gruden. “We have a young quarterback. we don’t want to throw the ball 50 times. We want to run the ball, be physical.”
Cousins’ biggest improvement by far was his ability to protect the football. After his two picks last week, he didn’t lose the ball once against the Rams. The new Washington quarterback was sacked only twice. He praised the offensive line–who is often criticized for not doing enough–for their protection.
“I can’t say enough good things about the way our offensive line has played,” said Cousins. “I feel like I could give you five reasons for us playing so well, and it’d be those five guys.”
Washington (1-1) led 17-0 at halftime, which was the first time they shut out an opponent in the first half since October 2011–also against the Rams. St. Louis (1-1) got on the board with a field goal early in the third quarter, followed by a touchdown on their next possession. But after outscoring Washington 10-0 in the third, the Rams were once again shutout in the final quarter.
It was a shocking loss to both Redskins and Rams fans alike. While many of the burgundy and gold faithful were hopeful for a win, they were also aware their opponent was coming off a victory against the two-time reigning NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks. But a revamped defense and a strong running game proved that the Redskins can be more than tabloid fodder.
Washington will have little time to celebrate; they play their first division matchup of the season against the New York Giants (0-2) on Thursday.
Nationals
The Washington Nationals won their third consecutive game on Sunday with a 13-3 rout of the Miami Marlins.
The victory, their seventh in eight tries, kept the Nats’ dimming, but not extinguished, playoff hopes alive. The playoff scenario for the must-win Nationals seems like it came for a movie script: They need to cut their six-game deficit to three over their next 10 games to remain alive entering their season-ending series against the Mets.
“The less we think about it, the better,” said third basemen Yunel Escobar, who is one of the team’s better hitters. “We’re playing perfect right now, as much the pitchers as the hitters. Right now, I haven’t thought about it, nor have I heard anything about it. We’re trying to win as much as possible.”
For Washington, their performance the next two weeks will determine whether or not they will appear in the post-season. Though their chances in catching the Mets is slim, statistically, the odds are in their favor. The Nationals (78-71) will face teams that all have records below .500: the beltway rival Orioles (73-76), followed by the last-place Phillies (56-94), the lowly Reds (63-85) and the desperate Braves (60-90). If they can continue their winning ways against those teams, it will make for a very interest final series against the Mets.
After a season of missed opportunities, and an inexplicable, disappointing downturn, the Washington Nationals still have a shot at redemption.
