By the Numbers: Redskins @ Rams Preview

                  Redskins visit Rams Next Sunday Looking to Rebound off a Dissapointing Loss to Houston

                                                                         Here are the numbers: The Offense

 The Redskins rank 12th in total offensive yards (335.5 yards per game)

--Rank 7th in passing yards (282 yards per game)

--Rank 32nd in rushing yards (53.5 yards per game)

The Rams rank 26th in total offensive yards (267.5 yards per game)

--Rank 23rd in passing yards (187.5 yards per game)

--Rank 25th in rushing yards (80 yards per game)

Both teams have terrible 3rd down efficiency (both below 40%) and maintain similar time of possession. The Redskins list Clinton Portis as probable. The Rams suffer injuries to their tight ends.

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                                                                            Here are the numbers: Defense

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The Redskins rank 32nd in total yards allowed (453 yards per game)

--Rank 32st in passing yards allowed (372.5 yards per game)

--Rank 8th in rushing yards allowed (80.5)

The Rams rank 28th in total yards allowed (391 yards per game)

--Rank 24th in passing yards allowed (248.5 yards per game)

--Rank 30th in rushing yards allowed (142.5 yards per game)

Both teams have trouble defending the passing game. The Rams suffer injuries to their defensive line. 

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                                                                     Offensive Strategy for the Redskins

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I'm not going to establish my credibility as a coach, because I can't. But just because I'm a fan doesn't mean I can't theorize a potential game plan for the Redskins based on these numbers.

Obviously, the running game has been struggling lately for Washington--but then again, they were playing Dallas and Houston (ranked 6th and 2nd respectively for rushing defense). The Rams aren't quite so impressive, allowing Tim Hightower and That Raider's Guy nearly 145 yards in their last two contests. Look for Mike Shanahan and the Redskins backs to get on track and set Donavan McNabb up for play action passes. If Clinton Portis and Mike Sellers don't record a big game come Sunday, then there's something systemically wrong with Washington's running game; something that won't be fixed soon.

The improved running game will allow DC to control large swaths of the game clock--time management being a key problem for both teams thus far. By the numbers, the Redskins' rushing defense is vastly superior to the Rams', so St. Louis will resort to their rookie quarterback on most situations.

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                                                                           Defensive Strategy for the Redskins

A few days ago DeAngelo Hall voiced his displeasure of DC's current defensive system--look for him to put up or shut up in man-to-man coverage. Or, more frighteningly, don't. If the Redskins' defense continues its course, we'll likely see a big game from Sam Bradford and company.

However, if I were Washington's defensive coordinator (at least then they'd have an excuse for performing so poorly), I would let DeAngelo and "his" defense go into man-to-man and dominate the poor Rams recieving corp. Again, the rushing defense has been great, limiting Arian Foster to normal yardage after his breakout performance against the Colts.

Combine all this with those timely blitzes and the Rams should perish quietly.

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Key Recap: Clock management and the revitalization of our running game on offense; tight man-to-man coverage on defense.

Sources: NFL.com, Yahoo! Sports.

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