Share

Carried by Redskins’ rejuvenated running game, Cousins closes out Rams

Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson, left, scores past Los Angeles Rams free safety Lamarcus Joyner during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles.

Advertisement

Washington won the last match up, 24-10, back in September 2015 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

The Rams will reveal more in the coming days. Offensively, quarterback Jared Goff posted his best game of his National Football League career in last week’s win completing 21 of 29 passes for 306 yards with 4 TDs, and no interceptions. “They didn’t give up, and we were pretty pumped that Mason came up with that interception at the end of the game”. Los Angeles were ruthless and clinical in their demolition of the Colts, and if they are in a similar form today then the Redskins could be in for a long afternoon. He wasn’t very bad vs. the Rams-he didn’t turn the ball over unlike last week when he had two fumbles lost and an interception-but he wasn’t good enough to win without the strong running game.

Sean McVay wanted to beat his former team. I expect an improved outing this week, even against the Rams’ defense.

“I don’t know how many times that happens in a season where you have an entire drive of running the ball”, Cousins said. Grant drew six targets last week while Jamison Crowder was hampered by a hip injury but obviously didn’t play as large a role with Crowder closer to full strength this week. Ryan Grant made four catches for a career-high 61 yards following a 2016 campaign during which he hauled in a total of nine passes for 76 yards.

One product of a successful running game?

It started by getting off to a hot start on the ground, recording 167 rushing yards in first half, the team’s most in a first half since December 12, 2010 vs. Tampa Bay (174). Sammy Watkins and Cooper Kupp also had a solid day. You could argue that Jared Goff was the better of the two quarterbacks on the field in this matchup despite the interception. And, frankly, that’s what they should be talking about.

“We’re a work in progress on offense, trying to find our identity, what we do well and what we want to feature”, said Cousins, who was 18 of 27 for 179 yards and one touchdown. If the flags hadn’t been thrown, Gurley would have had around 66 rushing yards.

Fatigue was not a factor in his performance, Donald said, and neither was playing in Phillips’ 3-4 scheme for the first time.

Advertisement

Aaron Donald is officially back. McVay took that tact as the Rams look at a short window to get ready for their next game. I’m not sure Cousins will be as generous this week. But Gurley fumbled twice, losing one of them early to help Washington build a 13-0 second-quarter lead. “Got us in the right runs and did a good job overall”.

Empty seats at Stub Hub on Sunday