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Redskins.com's Andrew Walker takes a closer look at Sunday afternoon's matchup between the Washington Redskins and St. Louis Rams at FedExField.

FIRST IMPRESSIONSThe Washington Redskins came into Sunday's Week 14 matchup against the St. Louis Rams hoping to establish a little momentum in front of the home crowd.

The Rams – coming off a 52-0 win against the Oakland Raiders – had other plans, however.

Despite trailing just 6-0 at halftime, Washington was unable to contain St. Louis from that point forward in their 24-0 loss in front of an announced crowd of 71,120 in Landover, Md.

The Redskins – who move to 3-10 with the loss – now dive into NFC East play to wrap up the 2014 season. Next Sunday, they travel to East Rutherford, N.J., to take on the Giants before hosting the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys to end the year.

PLAY OF THE GAMEMidway through the second quarter, Ryan Kerrigan unleashed on Rams quarterback Shaun Hill.

On 2nd and Goal from the Washington 4-yard line, Hill, lined up under center, dropped back to pass and  was quickly introduced to Kerrigan, who delivered a huge hit while also doing what he does best – jarring the ball loose.

The fumble was recovered by St. Louis running back Tre Mason, but one play later, Hill was brought down once again, this time by rookie outside linebacker Trent Murphy and defensive end Jason Hatcher.

Then, from the 10-yard line, Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein missed a chip shot from 28 yards out.

The Redskins' defense prides itself on stopping the run first, but is also happy to unleash its pass rush in crucial situations. They showed what they were capable of on that drive to keep the St. Louis lead at just six points.

PLAYER OF THE GAMEKerrigan is on a tear.

His two sacks today against the Rams continued to improve upon his career-best, giving the 2012 Pro Bowler 11.5 on the year.

He also continues to move up the Redskins' record books, as his 36 career sacks surpasses Dave Butz for sixth in Washington franchise history.

Kerrigan – who has posted a full sack in three straight weeks for the first time since Weeks 9-11 of his rookie season in 2011 – also passed Ken Harvey for the most forced fumbles by a Redskins player since at least the 1994 season (14).

The outside linebacker is making a late push for a second-career Pro Bowl appearance.

UNSUNG HEROWill Compton definitely has a nose for the ball.

Compton – starting just his third game this season at middle linebacker in place of an injured Keenan Robinson – finished Sunday's game against the Rams with a game-best 14 tackles. It's a career high for the second-year Nebraska product.

The two-time All-Big Ten selection – who was signed by Washington as an undrafted college free agent last year – is a valuable commodity for the Redskins. He's everywhere on their special teams units, and has proven to be a terrific backup for Robinson and Perry Riley Jr.

As the 2014 season winds down, the Redskins' coaching staff is certainly getting a good look at what Compton is all about.

WHAT'S NEXT
With today's matchup against the St. Louis Rams officially a thing of the past, the Washington Redskins turn their attention towards the NFC East division for the rest of the season.

The Redskins (3-10) next Sunday travel to take on the New York (4-9) Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Here's some facts and figures from next Sunday's Redskins-Giants matchup in East Rutherford, N.J., courtesy of Redskins Public Relations:

• The Redskins will seek their first road win against the Giants since a 23-10 victory against the eventual Super Bowl champions at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 18, 2011.
• In their 2012 meeting at New York, the Redskins recorded 248 rushing yards, their highest rushing total in the now 164-game series history against the Giants.

RELATED LINKS:-- Follow @Redskins on Twitter
-- Redskins Set Sights On New York Giants

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