WASHINGTON — The Redskins and Rams have played every year since 2008, with the exception of 2013. St. Louis has won three of the last four matchups and five of seven. Needless to say, they know each other quite well.
Last year’s game became famous because of the coin toss. Rams head coach Jeff Fisher sent out all the players that the Rams acquired as part of the Robert Griffin III trade in 2012 to the 50-yard line.
It worked. The Rams shutout the Redskins, 24-0.
Here are five things to watch for on Sunday.
1. Kirk Cousins’ response
Kirk Cousins did some good things in last week’s loss to the Dolphins. Unfortunately, he did not do enough to get his team the win. He threw two interceptions in the loss, but gets a chance to bounce back this week. There will be no change at QB, no short leash — this is still his team. The challenge this week will be a pretty good Rams defense and the fact that he will be missing his deep threat in DeSean Jackson. That’s still no reason not to try to stretch the field. Head coach Jay Gruden expects Rashad Ross to help fill the speed void and expects Pierre Garcon, Andre Roberts and Ryan Grant to step up.
2. Offensive line
The right side of the Redskins offensive line had a very good test last week in the person of Ndamukong Suh. Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses and the rest of the line kept Cousins clean for the most part, allowing only one sack while opening up big holes for Alfred Morris and Matt Jones. Suh had only two tackles all afternoon. This week, the test comes in the form of reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week Aaron Donald, Chris Long, Robert Quinn and Michael Brockers. If the offensive line can open up holes again for the running game, that will go a long way in the Redskins’ success.
3. Special teams
The Redskins gave up yet another special teams touchdown last week, a 69-yard punt return to Jarvis Landry, and will have a new kicker this week. Dustin Hopkins arrives needing to provide a little more leg strength on kickoffs. Kai Forbath never did have the strongest of legs and kickoffs (along with long field goals) have been an issue for a while. The coverage team will have their hands full with yet another explosive return man in Tavon Austin. He returned a kick for a touchdown in last year’s 24-0 win and had a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown last week against Seattle. Every year this unit appears to be an issue for the Redskins and last week was not a great start.
4. Defensive changes
Last week was a good start for the defense and new coordinator Joe Barry. The line got some good pressure on Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill and allowed only 10 points. But they also dropped three potential interceptions. That needs to change beginning this week. The big question against the Rams will be the secondary. Bashaud Breeland will make his debut this week after serving a one-game suspension in the opener. Breeland missed most of preseason with an injury, so he only played in the fourth preseason game and was a bit rusty. Expect him to be a bit rusty this week as well. The team lost starter Duke Ihenacho to a wrist injury this week and Justin Rogers is out with a foot injury. Cornerback Chris Culliver will serve his one-game suspension this week.
5. FedEx Field colors
If you didn’t know better, you could have thought last week’s game was in Miami. There were a lot of teal jerseys in the stands — is that a sign of what is to come this year? Are fans finally fed up enough to not show up? We’ve seen opposing fans at FedEx before, remember when the Steelers fans invaded on a Monday night in 2008? Rams fans don’t travel nearly as well, so let’s see what happens on Sunday.
