After playing two of the best teams close, the Redskins are 3.5 point favorites on the road against the Rams (-200 moneyline). I've been getting killed by some people for talking so freely we'll whoop the Lambs, but look no further than coaching. If Mike Shanahan is Joeim Torre than Jim Zorn is Manny Acta. Everything was so dysfunctional the last two years, I simply cannot judge the Rams success from anything they did. Haslett's game plan will have to defend against much less talent this week, as will the offense. What's different going into the Rams' game this year is I expect Shanahan and the players to be as focused as ever coming off that tough loss. The players will not sleep on the Lambs, and for that reason, I can. Why?
1. Rams are 30th ranked rushing D - 4.7 carry (league worst 3 runs per carry over 20 yards)
2. Rams are 24th ranked passing D - 248.5 yards/game.
3. With Jason Campbell getting benched, Oakland still had 404 yards offense with 173 rushing.
4. All these numbers so far are against the Raiders and Cardinals...not exactly stellar teams.
5. Rams Injury List already is reminiscent of the Redskins 2009 roster in December.
>> Top 2 TEs (Hoomanawanui and Billy Bajema are out). 3rd string TE Daniel Fells also got hurt but is day to day
>> SS Craig Dahl suffered a concussion last week
>> Starting DT Darrell Scott suffered a high ankle sprain and is out
>> Staring DT Clifton Ryan, who missed last week's game with migraines, still uncertain. If Ryan can't play, Cudjo will be called up from practice squad.
>> LB Chris Chamberlain is in a walking boot
>> Donnie Avery out for the year (Rams still trying to sign one this week)
6. Sam Bradford has 4 INTs (tied for 2nd most) with a 63.5 QB Rating. His week 1 game hurt his numbers as he played good week 2.
7. Bradford will take a shot from Laron Landry. ESPN needs to do a Sports Science on Matt Schaub's rib cage because he took back-to-back, direct shots and still played through. I don't see Bradford popping up from that punishment.
8. Trent Williams of course protected (well, sort of) Sam Bradford at Oklahoma. I'm sure there are some tendencies Silverback could pass on to Haslett.
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Some interesting notes when collecting my stats:
- Amazingly, Bears defense has only given up an average of 1.4 yards rushing.
- Rams Defense has 2 INTs so far. Vikings, Ravens, and Cowboys defenses still have 0.
- Flacco leads the league in INTs with 5. Eli Manning, Alex Smith, and Brett Favre also have 4.