A look back at top images in games between the Washington Redskins and St. Louis Rams.
With today's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts officially a thing of the past, the Washington Redskins turn their attention to another talented team from the Midwest.
The Redskins (3-9) next Sunday play host to the St. Louis Rams (5-7) at FedExField. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
The Rams entered today's action with a 4-7 record — putting them in fourth place in the tough NFC Western Division — and defeated the Oakland Raiders (1-11) 52-0 today at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.
The Rams have been unable to find any kind of consistency throughout the season, but have some impressive wins on their 2014 résumé.
After winning just one of its first five games, St. Louis defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, 28-26, in Week 6. Two weeks later, they defeated the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium, 13-10, and then, two weeks after that matchup, they nearly shut out Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, 22-7.
The Rams are led by third-year head coach Jeff Fisher. Hired in 2012, Fisher has been tasked with reshaping a young roster and turning the franchise in the right direction after it turned in an overall record of 15-65 (.188) from 2007 to 2011.
Fisher joined the Rams after spending 16 seasons as head coach of the Tennessee Titans. He guided the Tennessee to six playoff appearances (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008), three division titles (2000, 2002, 2008), two AFC Championship games (1999, 2002) and one Super Bowl appearance (XXXIV).
From 1999-2010, only three teams had more playoff berths (Indianapolis, Philadelphia and New England). In the 2000s, Fisher totaled 97 victories, the most successful decade in franchise history.
The best of the Redskins-Rams Week 2 game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.
Redskins LB Perry Riley forces a fumble that leads to a Redskins touchdown early in the first quarter.
Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson catches a deep pass for a touchdown in the first half.
Redskins LB Brian Orakpo sacks Rams QB Sam Bradford during their week 2 game.
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III throws a pass as he scrambles in the Redskins-Rams game.
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III celebrates as he enters the end zone for a rushing touchdown.
Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall records a hard tackle in the first half of the Redskins-Rams game.
The Redskins line up against the Rams in a week 2 game.
Redskins RB Roy Helu Jr. throws a block for QB Robert Griffin III.
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III hands the ball off to RB Alfred Morris during the Redskins-Rams game.
The Redskins and Rams line up on the line of scrimmage during the first half.
Redskins LB Ryan Kerrigan gets his hands on Rams QB Sam Bradford for a Redskins sack.
The Redskins line up against the Rams in a week 2 game.
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III dives into the end zone for a touchdown.
Redskins TE Fred Davis watches his team closely during the Redskins-Rams game.
Redskins LB London Fletcher celebrates an interception in the end zone.
Redskins LB Brian Orakpo forces a fumble on Rams QB Sam Bradford in the first half of the Redskins-Rams game.
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III throws a pass in the first half of the Redskins-Rams game.
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III carries the ball during the Redskins-Rams game.
Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall (left) celebrates with CB Josh Wilson (right) after a defensive touchdown in the first quarter.
Redskins RB Alfred Morris runs the ball during the Redskins-Rams week 2 game.
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown.
Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan talks with Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher before their Week 2 match-up.
A young Redskins fan asks for a glove during pregame warm-ups of the Redskins-Rams week 2 game.
An outside view of the Edward Jones Dome as the Redskins travel to St. Louis to take on the Rams in a week 2 match-up.
Prior to today's game, the Rams were coming off a 27-24 loss to the Chargers in San Diego. In that game, the Chargers' Marcus Gilchris intercepted Rams quarterback Shaun Hill at the goal line with 56 seconds remaining to seal the San Diego victory.
Hill completed 18-of-35 passes for 198 yards with one touchdown to two interceptions. Running back Tre Mason led St. Louis with 16 carries for 62 yards, while wide receiver Tavon Austin added a rushing touchdown.
Defensively, the Rams were led by cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who had a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown and also forced a fumble. Outside linebacker Alec Ogletree led the Rams in tackles with nine.
The Rams entered today's game ranked 27th in the league in total offense with 313.3 yards per game, including 211.9 passing yards per game (24th in the NFL) and 101.4 rushing yards per game (19th).
Their defense, meanwhile, ranks 20th in the NFL with a 366.7 yards-allowed-per-game average, including an average of 250.9 passing yards per game (21st) and 115.8 rushing yards per game allowed (18th).
This season, St. Louis has, once again, had to overcome the loss of quarterback Sam Bradford, who re-tore the ACL in his left knee in the team's third preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, ending his season for a second straight year.
In his place, the Rams have used both Hill and Austin Davis. Hill has completed 46-of-77 passes (59.7 percent) for 499 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, while Davis has completed 180-of-284 passes (63.4 percent) for 2,001 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Mason leads the Rams' backfield with 108 rushes for 445 yards (4.1 yards per attempt) and one touchdown, while Jared Cook leads the receivers with 37 receptions for 473 yards and one touchdown. Lance Kendricks also has a team-best four receiving touchdowns on the year.
Ogletree (75 tackles), James Laurinaitis (73) and T.J. McDonald (70) lead the St. Louis defensive charge, while Robert Quinn has a team-leading six sacks.
Game notes
Here's some more facts and figures from next Sunday's Redskins-Rams matchup in Landover, Md., courtesy of Redskins Public Relations:
- The game will represent the teams' eighth meeting in the last 10 seasons but the first at FedExField since 2009. The Redskins played the Rams in St. Louis three times across the 2010-12 seasons.
- The Redskins are 24-12-1 all-time against the Rams, including postseason play.
- The Redskins are 11-5 all-time in regular season home games against the Rams.
- A win would give the Redskins a second consecutive home win against the Rams for the first time since earning back-to-back playoff victories against the Rams following the 1983 and 1986 seasons.
- Dating back to 2006, five of the last six games between the Redskins and Rams have been decided by seven points or less.
RELATED LINKS:
— Jurgensen & Kilmer Talk Football And Memories
— Fletcher Was One Of The Few Remaining From The 1990s
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