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Keys 2 Victory at Redskins
Gregg Rosenthal and Marc Sessler sit down to discuss Week 1 highlights and the Week 2 matchup between the St. Louis Rams and the Washington Redskins.

 As we get closer to Sunday’s noon CT kickoff at FedEx Field, here are three keys to victory for the Rams. 

 1 Slow down Morris 
Though Washington fell 17-10 to open the season, the team got its run game going in a big way. Alfred Morris, the fourth-year back out of Florida Atlantic, rushed 25 times for 121 yards last week -- good for an average of 4.8 yards. In his three-plus seasons in the nation’s capital, Morris has already become the storied franchise’s all-time leader in rushing average, with 4.53 yards per carry. 

 In last year’s matchup between Washington and St. Louis, Morris had only eight carries for 6 yards. Don’t expect the same for Sunday. 

 “We’ve seen them use Alfred Morris like he should be used -- he’s a big back so let him go,” defensive tackle Michael Brockers said. “I think this week we are emphasizing more on stopping the run to earn the right to rush the passer, and if we do that I think we can come out with a victory.” 

 Brockers put it best. If the Rams can slow down Morris -- and rookie running back Matt Jones for that matter -- they will give their formidable front four a chance to get after Washington QB Kirk Cousins. 

 2 Stout protection 
With so much talk about Washington’s quarterback situation, its defense may be a bit underrated. The unit held Miami’s offense to only 10 points last week, as the Dolphins’ last touchdown came on a punt return. Washington’s defense also got to Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill for three sacks, showing the defensive line can collapse the pocket if given the opportunity. 

 Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan and defensive end Jason Hatcher lead the unit, and have done well for themselves. Both can move around the defensive front in order to cause problems. Kerrigan had 2.0 sacks in the December 2014 contest. 

 In order to combat that front, the Rams will have to be solid on the offensive line. Quarterback Nick Foles was sacked only two times against Seattle -- a tribute to Foles’ ability to make plays by moving around the pocket and the offensive line’s ability to block for him. The unit will need to continue to improve throughout the year, and Sunday’s contest is a good opportunity to show it. 

 3 Keep it rolling 
The Rams got their season off to a strong start with an emotional, thrilling overtime victory over the Seahawks. But in order for the team to reach its ultimate goals, the focus must remain on the task at hand. Fortunately, linebacker James Laurinaitis said early in the week the club did well to keep the 24-hour rule in effect. That was due in part because of the changes the Rams have made to the practice schedule. Practice Report 9/15

 “We only had to get a lift [on Monday], but everybody was in the building watching tape for next week already,” Laurinaitis said. “Guys weren’t enjoying it, taking two days off from watching film, relaxing and waiting until Wednesday to find out about the next team because they were celebrating. Guys were really honed in, they were watching tape, and trying to figure out more about [Washington] and really put the game to rest.”

 Moving on from one game to the next with strong focus could be one factor working in the Rams’ favor on Sunday. They have already shown an ability to not only play with, but also defeat the two-time defending NFC Champions. Now it’s time to string together two wins in a row.

 Five Players to Watch at Redskins

 St. Louis will take on Washington in the club’s first road matchup of 2015. Here are five Rams players to keep an eye on during the action. 

 1 James Laurinaitis - No. 55
Laurinaitis has been the man in the middle of the Rams’ defense for years, and now he’s poised to become the franchise’s all-time leading tackler. The middle linebacker has racked up 908 tackles over his six-plus years in the league, leaving him only seven behind Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen’s 915. 

 “James Laurinaitis is the epitome of ‘tackler,’” defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said last week. “I can’t think of a better person than him to be the all-time leading tackler here.” 

 Laurinaitis will have a good chance to match Olsen’s mark this week. In last year’s December matchup with Washington, the linebacker had six tackles and 1.5 sacks. Look for him to make a defensive impact throughout the game.

 2 Jared Cook - No. 89
Given that Cook led the Rams in receptions last year, it was no surprise to see him at the top of the list for last week’s catches against the Seahawks. The tight end made five receptions for 85 yards in the contest. He got going from the first quarter, when quarterback Nick Foles hit him with a 22-yard pass to start out St. Louis’ second drive. Foles has spoken highly about his tight ends throughout camp and the preseason, and that good chemistry should continue to translate against Washington. 

 3 Michael Brockers - No. 90
NFC Defensive Player of the Week Aaron Donald may be garnering plenty of attention, but Brockers has done a nice job in the middle of the defensive line as well. The way the LSU product drove his blocker into the backfield on 4th-and-1 in overtime was a key component to the way the Rams were able to win the game. 

 “He came into OTAs with a phenomenal attitude, worked extremely hard,” Laurinaitis said this week of Brockers. “He’s taken practice extremely seriously and you’ve seen his growth through camp. And he’s motivated. I think he’s starting to understand that he can dominate guys when he wants to.”

 Brockers led the team last week with 13 total tackles. With another big, strong running back to take down in Washington’s Alfred Morris, Brockers should be plenty involved this week on defense as well. 

 4 Chris Long - No. 91
After missing 10 games due to an ankle injury last year, Chris Long is back and healthy. Though he may not have recorded a sack, Long was routinely in the backfield harassing Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, as he led the team with six quarterback pressures. Long will be one of the players who will have to do well to contain Morris. But if Washington gets in 3rd-and-long situations, Long is poised to have a good day against the home team’s offensive line. 

 5 Tre Mason - No. 27
The Auburn product sat out last week with a hamstring injury, but has been a full participant in practice leading up to the Sunday’s matchup. Having Mason back should provide a lift for the offense, which had some understandable challenges rushing against a formidable Seattle front seven last week. It won’t necessarily be easy for Mason to just run around on Washington, though. In 2014’s contest, the running back tallied only 66 yards rushing in the 24-0 victory. Still, having Mason back restores a significant part of the depth the Rams have assembled at the position.
THE GAME
Who:  St. Louis Rams (1-0) at Washington Redskins (0-1)
When:  Sunday, Sept. 20 -- Noon CT
Where:  FedExField / Washington, D.C.
TELEVISION
Network:  FOX
In St. Louis:  KTVI-2
Talent:  Dick Stockton (pbp), David Diehl (analyst) and Kristina Pink (sidelines)
RADIO
Network:  Rams Radio Network
In St. Louis:  WXOS-101.1 FM
Talent:  Steve Savard (pbp), D’Marco Farr (analyst) and Will Witherspoon (sidelines)
WATCH ON-LINE
NFL.com/GamePass
THE LAST GAME
Score:  St. Louis Rams 34, Seattle Seahawks 31 (OT)
Date:  Sunday, Sept. 13
Location:  Edward Jones Dome / St. Louis, Mo.
“Five Takeaways” from Myles Simmons
SERIES NOTES
Regular Season:  Washington leads 24-13-1
Last Meeting:  Rams 24, Redskins 0 / Dec. 7, 2014 in Washington, D.C.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Rams picked up two NFC Player of the Week awards for their efforts in the win over Seattle.  DTAaron Donald earned the accolade on defense, while WR/PR Tavon Austin was given the nod on special teams.  For more, click here.
OPPONENT SNAPSHOT
Primary Owner:  Dan Snyder
General Manager:  Scot McCloughan
Head Coach:  Jay Gruden
Moved to Washington:  1937
Super Bowl Titles:  3 (1982, 1987, 1991)
Playoff Appearances:  23
2014 Record:  4-12
2014 Playoffs:  None
FORMER REDSKINS IN ST. LOUIS
Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams was Washington's assistant head coach/defense from 2004-07.
Defensive Backs Coach Dennard Wilson was a member of Washington's practice squad in 2004.
FORMER RAMS IN WASHINGTON
President Bruce Allen is the son of former Rams Head Coach George Allen.
Outside Linebackers Coach Brian Baker coached the Rams defensive line from 2006-08.
REDSKINS WITH ST. LOUIS-AREA TIES
LB Will Compton is from Bonne Terre, Mo.
RAMS WITH WASHINGTON-AREA TIES
S Rodney McLeod hails from Oxon Hill, Md.
T Rob Havenstein is from Mount Airy, Md.
WR Tavon Austin is a native of Baltimore.
Defensive Backs Coach Dennard Wilson is from Upper Marlboro, Md., and played at the University of Maryland.
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