Redskins.com breaks down some of the key matchups to keep an eye on during Sunday's Redskins-Rams game at FedExField.
"Redskins-Rams: 4 Keys to the Game" is presented by Papa John's.
Every Monday, fans can order a large cheese pizza for only $9.99, plus for each touchdown that the Redskins score, fans get one free topping. And with a Redskins victory, fans get double the toppings.
OFFENSE
Clinton Portis vs. Rams Run Defense
Portis has had some of the best games of his career against the Rams. In last year's game, he rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. In 2005, he posted 136 yards and a TD on 27 carries.
Last week, Portis got off to a fast start against the New York Giants, breaking loose on a 34-yard run on his first carry of the season. After that, Portis compiled just 28 yards on 15 carries.
It's no secret that when Portis is running well, the Redskins usually win.
The Rams yielded 167 rushing yards in their 28-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. A year ago, the Rams were ranked 29th in the league after allowing an average of 154.7 rushing yards per game.
DEFENSE
Redskins' Run Defense vs. Steven Jackson
The Redskins held their own against Brandon Jacobs and company in Week 1, allowing 103 rushing yards on 31 carries to the Giants.
Albert Haynesworth proved to be tough against the run, spearheading two short yardage stops, and London Fletcher was all over the field with 18 tackles.
Up next is Jackson, who at 6-2 and 231 pounds is not quite as big as Jacobs. In last year's Redskins-Rams matchup, Jackson was mostly kept in check, logging 79 yards on 22 carries. He also had a costly fumble.
In 2006, Jackson had a career game against the Redskins, logging 150 rushing yards and a touchdown on 33 carries and catching six passes for 102 yards
SPECIAL TEAMS
Shaun Suisham vs. Josh Brown
Suisham was steady in the Week 1 game against the Giants, kicking a 27-yard field goal in the contest.
A year ago, Suisham made 26-of-36 attempts for a league-worst 72.2 field goal percentage. He won a preseason competition with Dave Rayner for the Redskins' kicking job, but it went down to the wire.
The Redskins remember Brown, certainly. In last year's game, Brown connected on four field goals, including a 51-yarder and a game-winning 49-yarder as time expired.
After struggling early in his career, Brown has become one of the league's better kickers. He has made 81.2 percent of his field goals, although he has had six attempts blocked in his career.
1-on-1
Albert Haynesworth vs. Jason Brown
The Haynesworth-Brown matchup became one to watch in August, when Brown curiously said that the Rams would run a hurry-up offense because Haynesworth tends to fatigue easily.
Haynesworth had little to no reaction to the comment. Even so, you have to figure the 6-6, 350-pounder goes into the game with something to prove.
Haynesworth and Brown, 6-3 and 320 pounds, competed against each other in the AFC Divisional playoffs last season when Haynesworth was with the Tennessee Titans and Brown was with the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens won 24-10.
Brown, a 5-year veteran, has been a starting offensive lineman for the Ravens the last three years. He signed with the Rams last offseason.
