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Rams romp to another shutout win
• BY JIM THOMAS
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_c5f163df-c4b0-57b7-963e-c01816596bc5.html
LANDOVER, Md. • For those keeping score, it's now 76-0 Rams in the last two Sundays. They have scored back-to-back victories for the first time since Games 15 and 16 of last season after Sunday's 24-0 blanking of Washington at FedEx Field.
A victory this Thursday night at home against Arizona will put them at a place rarely seen this late in the season for the Rams — .500.
After a first half in which the Rams seemed to take a step backward for every step forward, they dominated Washington in the second half with aggressive defense, some Jared Cook, and lots of excitement from Tavon Austin.
Cook scored two touchdowns, including one in the second half. Austin had a 78-yard punt return to seal the deal in third quarter. The Rams are now 6-7; Washington falls to 3-10.
The St. Louis defense registered back-to-back shutouts for the first time since they were the Cleveland Rams in 1945. For the second game in a row and the third time in four games, the opposing offense did not reach the red zone.
The Rams had all kinds of chances to bury Washington in the first half. But penalties, sacks and a major case of the yips by place-kicker Greg Zuerlein left them with only a 6-0 lead at the intermission.
Zuerlein missed the first extra point of his NFL career after a 39-yard touchdown pass from Shaun Hill to tight end Cook early in the second quarter. Zuerlein had made all 91 of his career extra points before that one went wide right.
OK, chalk that up as a fluke, right? Well, Zuerlein then missed two field goals before the half was out. He was wide right on a 28-yard field goal attempt with 5:32 to go in the first half. Until then, Zuerlein had been 16-for-16 on attempts of less than 30 yards in his three-year pro career.
And as time expired in the second quarter, Zuerlein missed from 38 yards. Again, it was wide right. It was only his fourth miss in the 30-39 range in his career. So instead of having a 13-0 lead at the half, the Rams had only the six points from the Cook reception.
After the Rams won the coin toss but deferred, Washington drove to the St. Louis 32 on its opening possession. But free safety Rodney McLeod ended that threat with his second interception of the season, coming on an overthrown pass from Colt McCoy intended for Washington wide receiver Ryan Grant.
The Rams then drove to the Washington 22, but an illegal hands to face penalty against center Scott Wells and an offensive pass interference penalty on fullback Cory Harkey on back-to-back plays pushed the ball back to the 42. The Rams had to punt.
In the second quarter, a 37-yard punt return for Austin, his second-longest return of the season at that point, went for naught on Zuerlein's first missed field goal. The Rams had a first-and-goal from the 6, but back-to-back sacks forced them to kick a field goal. Or make that try a field goal.
On the Rams' next possession, a 41-yard completion from a scrambling Hill to Kenny Britt gave St. Louis a first down at the Washington 38. But a second sack by Ryan Kerrigan forced the Rams to punt.
A 28-yard punt return by Austin gave the Rams possession at the Washington 47 on their next series. But that led to Zuerlein's second miss at the end of the half.
But the Rams got going in the third quarter. After taking the kickoff to start the third quarter, they finally got a field goal from Zuerlein, who squeezed in a 34-yarder to make it 9-0 Rams after a drive that lasted nearly 7½ minutes.
After what looked like a 3-and-out by the Rams' defense, Washington tried a fake punt on 4th-and-5 from its own 33. But punter Tress Way was stopped after only a two-yard gain, and the Rams took over at the Washington 35 with 6:07 left in the third quarter.
After a holding penalty on Harkey set the Rams back 10 yards, a 36-yard catch-and-run by Stedman Bailey on third-and-12 gave them a first down at the Washington 1. On the next play, Hill connected with Cook in the back of the end zone for Cook's second TD of the day.
Instead of having Zuerlein kick the extra point, holder Johnny Hekker took the snap, raised up and threw a 2-point conversion pass to Harkey to give St. Louis a 17-0 lead.
Hekker is now six for seven as a passer in his career with two touchdowns.
Then Austin, who has flirted with a punt return TD on several occasions this season, put the capper on the day with a 78-yard return for a score with 1:36 left in the third quarter. This time, Zuerlein kicked the extra point and the Rams were up 24-0.
Many Washington fans headed for the exit after that score, and many of those who stayed started chanting for now backup quarterback Robert Griffin III to come off the bench.
RGIII did get in on the final possession of the day for Washington, which ended with an incomplete pass by Griffin.
• PHOTOS: Rams shut down Redskins
• BOX SCORE: Rams 24, Redskins 0
Here are the updates posted during the game by Post-Dispatch football writer Joe Lyons:
Back-to-back wins. And back-to-back shutouts.
The Rams continued their recent inspired play with a dominating 24-0 road victory over the Washington Redskins Sunday.
The Rams, coming off a 52-0 rout of visiting Oakland, improved to 6-7 with Sunday's win and will host the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night.
Down 24-0, the Redskins (3-10) put together their best drive of the second half. But the Rams' defensive pressure eventually paid off as T.J. McDonald came up with an interception near the goal line with just over five minutes to play.
The Rams, who had seven sacks in the game, knocked Colt McCoy from the game late when he suffered a neck strain on a William Hayes' sack. Robert Griffin III finished up but was unable to get Washington on the scoreboard.
RAMS PULL AWAY IN THE THIRD QUARTER
The Rams took the second half kickoff and marched 61 yards on 13 plays, stretching their lead to 9-0 on a 34-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein wit 7:39 to play in the third quarter. In the first half, Zuerlein was wide right on an extra point and on field goal tries from 28 and 38 yards.
The Redskins tried a fake punt on their initial possession of the second half, but Trey Watts and Daren Bates combined to stop punter Tress Way short of the first down as the Rams took over at the Washington 35 with with about 6 minutes to play in the third quarter.
On a third-and-l2 play, Shaun Hill found Stedman Bailey over the middle and the second-year receiver stiff-armed a defender and powered his way for a 36-yard gain to the Washington 1. On the next play, after a play-action fake, Hill found tight end Jared Cook wide open at the back of the end zone with 3:52 to play in the third quarter. The Rams faked the kick as holder Johnny Hekker improved to 3 for3 on passes this season with a two-point toss to Cory Harkey for 17-0 Rams lead.
After a three-and-out highlighted by a Eugene Sims sack on third down, the Rams stretched the lead to 24-0, thanks to an electrifying 78-yard punt return from Tavon Austin with 1:36 to play in the third quarter.
RAMS TAKE 6-0 ADVANTAGE TO HALFTIME
The visitors had a chance to add to their lead with about 5 ½ minutes to play before halftime but Greg Zuerlein's field-goal attempt from 28 yards out was pushed to the right. A 37-yard punt return from Tavon Austin set up the drive, which featured some strong running from Tre Mason and stalled with sacks on back-to-back plays deep in Redskin territory.
The big punt return was keyed by a block on the edge from Daren Bates.
The Rams' two-minute offense put them in position to score again at the end of the half. But again, on a 38-yarder at the buzzer, Zuerleins missed wide to the right.
Some quick halftime numbers:
• Shaun Hill has completed 10 of 14 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown, Tre Mason has rushed 10 times for 35 yards and tight end Jared Cook has two catches for 51 yards and the game's lone touchcdown.
The Rams have outgained the Redskins 197-93 and have limited Washington to just 12 rushing yards.
• Colt McCoy has completed 10 or 14 passes for 94 yards and one interception. Pierre Garcon has four catches for 48 yards.
RAMS TAKE THE LEAD EARLY IN SECOND QUARTER
The Rams grabbed the lead early in the second quarter as Shaun Hill found tight end Jared Cook wide open on a seam route down the middle for a 35-yard touchdown. It's the second TD of the season for Cook, who was shaken up earlier in the game after a helmet-to-helmet hit from Washington safety Ryan Clark.
Greg Zuerlein missed the extra point; the Rams are up 6-0 with 12:19 to play in the first half.
The key play of the scoring drive was a 20-yard run by Benny Cunningham.
The Redskins were moving the ball on the game's first drive when quarterback Colt McCoy overthrew Ryan Grant and free safety Rodney McLeod came up with the interception at the St. Louis 17. McLeod's 49-yard return was wiped out _ after a pair of under-the-hood reviews _ when the officials ruled that he was down by contact.
The Rams responded with a drive to the Washington 22. But back-to-back penalties killed the drive. Johnny Hekker, on his first punt since signing a six-year, $18 million extension, leaves the Redskins with a long field as Maurice Alexander (Eureka) downed the ball at the Washington 6.
ROOKIE DBs JOYER, ROBERSON INACTIVE
LANDOVER, MD. _ Defensive backs Lamarcus Joyner (groin) and Marcus Roberson (ankle) are healthy, but the Rams are continuing to go without them on game day.
Both rookies were among the team's inactives Sunday against Washington. The others: TE Justice Cunningham, OG Brandon Washington, TE Alex Bayer, DT Alex Carrington, and DE Ethan Westbrooks.
As expected, both DE Chris Long (foot/ankle) and LG Rodger Saffold (shoulder) are dressed and expected to start. Injuries weren't much of a factor in deciding Rams game-day inactives this week, because all nine players listed on the team's injury report Friday were listed as probable.
However, for Washington three starters were on the inactive list, including star wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who was scratched because of a shin injury suffered last week in Indianapolis. Starting middle linebacker Keenan Robinson (knee) and starting strong safety Brandon Meriweather (toe) are also out.
The rest of Washington's inactive list: QB Kirk Cousins, DL Kedric Golston, OG Josh LeRibeus, and OT Tyler Polumbus.
BURWELL TRIBUTE
There was a seat set aside for late Post-Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell in the press box Sunday at FedEx Field, with a vase of flowers and a photo placard that read: The Washington Redskins honor the life, work, and spirit of Bryan Burwell.
Several media members stopped by to look at the tribute, say a prayer, and take a photo. There will be a moment of silence in honor of Burwell prior to kickoff.
(Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.)
• BY JIM THOMAS
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_c5f163df-c4b0-57b7-963e-c01816596bc5.html
LANDOVER, Md. • For those keeping score, it's now 76-0 Rams in the last two Sundays. They have scored back-to-back victories for the first time since Games 15 and 16 of last season after Sunday's 24-0 blanking of Washington at FedEx Field.
A victory this Thursday night at home against Arizona will put them at a place rarely seen this late in the season for the Rams — .500.
After a first half in which the Rams seemed to take a step backward for every step forward, they dominated Washington in the second half with aggressive defense, some Jared Cook, and lots of excitement from Tavon Austin.
Cook scored two touchdowns, including one in the second half. Austin had a 78-yard punt return to seal the deal in third quarter. The Rams are now 6-7; Washington falls to 3-10.
The St. Louis defense registered back-to-back shutouts for the first time since they were the Cleveland Rams in 1945. For the second game in a row and the third time in four games, the opposing offense did not reach the red zone.
The Rams had all kinds of chances to bury Washington in the first half. But penalties, sacks and a major case of the yips by place-kicker Greg Zuerlein left them with only a 6-0 lead at the intermission.
Zuerlein missed the first extra point of his NFL career after a 39-yard touchdown pass from Shaun Hill to tight end Cook early in the second quarter. Zuerlein had made all 91 of his career extra points before that one went wide right.
OK, chalk that up as a fluke, right? Well, Zuerlein then missed two field goals before the half was out. He was wide right on a 28-yard field goal attempt with 5:32 to go in the first half. Until then, Zuerlein had been 16-for-16 on attempts of less than 30 yards in his three-year pro career.
And as time expired in the second quarter, Zuerlein missed from 38 yards. Again, it was wide right. It was only his fourth miss in the 30-39 range in his career. So instead of having a 13-0 lead at the half, the Rams had only the six points from the Cook reception.
After the Rams won the coin toss but deferred, Washington drove to the St. Louis 32 on its opening possession. But free safety Rodney McLeod ended that threat with his second interception of the season, coming on an overthrown pass from Colt McCoy intended for Washington wide receiver Ryan Grant.
The Rams then drove to the Washington 22, but an illegal hands to face penalty against center Scott Wells and an offensive pass interference penalty on fullback Cory Harkey on back-to-back plays pushed the ball back to the 42. The Rams had to punt.
In the second quarter, a 37-yard punt return for Austin, his second-longest return of the season at that point, went for naught on Zuerlein's first missed field goal. The Rams had a first-and-goal from the 6, but back-to-back sacks forced them to kick a field goal. Or make that try a field goal.
On the Rams' next possession, a 41-yard completion from a scrambling Hill to Kenny Britt gave St. Louis a first down at the Washington 38. But a second sack by Ryan Kerrigan forced the Rams to punt.
A 28-yard punt return by Austin gave the Rams possession at the Washington 47 on their next series. But that led to Zuerlein's second miss at the end of the half.
But the Rams got going in the third quarter. After taking the kickoff to start the third quarter, they finally got a field goal from Zuerlein, who squeezed in a 34-yarder to make it 9-0 Rams after a drive that lasted nearly 7½ minutes.
After what looked like a 3-and-out by the Rams' defense, Washington tried a fake punt on 4th-and-5 from its own 33. But punter Tress Way was stopped after only a two-yard gain, and the Rams took over at the Washington 35 with 6:07 left in the third quarter.
After a holding penalty on Harkey set the Rams back 10 yards, a 36-yard catch-and-run by Stedman Bailey on third-and-12 gave them a first down at the Washington 1. On the next play, Hill connected with Cook in the back of the end zone for Cook's second TD of the day.
Instead of having Zuerlein kick the extra point, holder Johnny Hekker took the snap, raised up and threw a 2-point conversion pass to Harkey to give St. Louis a 17-0 lead.
Hekker is now six for seven as a passer in his career with two touchdowns.
Then Austin, who has flirted with a punt return TD on several occasions this season, put the capper on the day with a 78-yard return for a score with 1:36 left in the third quarter. This time, Zuerlein kicked the extra point and the Rams were up 24-0.
Many Washington fans headed for the exit after that score, and many of those who stayed started chanting for now backup quarterback Robert Griffin III to come off the bench.
RGIII did get in on the final possession of the day for Washington, which ended with an incomplete pass by Griffin.
• PHOTOS: Rams shut down Redskins
• BOX SCORE: Rams 24, Redskins 0
Here are the updates posted during the game by Post-Dispatch football writer Joe Lyons:
Back-to-back wins. And back-to-back shutouts.
The Rams continued their recent inspired play with a dominating 24-0 road victory over the Washington Redskins Sunday.
The Rams, coming off a 52-0 rout of visiting Oakland, improved to 6-7 with Sunday's win and will host the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night.
Down 24-0, the Redskins (3-10) put together their best drive of the second half. But the Rams' defensive pressure eventually paid off as T.J. McDonald came up with an interception near the goal line with just over five minutes to play.
The Rams, who had seven sacks in the game, knocked Colt McCoy from the game late when he suffered a neck strain on a William Hayes' sack. Robert Griffin III finished up but was unable to get Washington on the scoreboard.
RAMS PULL AWAY IN THE THIRD QUARTER
The Rams took the second half kickoff and marched 61 yards on 13 plays, stretching their lead to 9-0 on a 34-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein wit 7:39 to play in the third quarter. In the first half, Zuerlein was wide right on an extra point and on field goal tries from 28 and 38 yards.
The Redskins tried a fake punt on their initial possession of the second half, but Trey Watts and Daren Bates combined to stop punter Tress Way short of the first down as the Rams took over at the Washington 35 with with about 6 minutes to play in the third quarter.
On a third-and-l2 play, Shaun Hill found Stedman Bailey over the middle and the second-year receiver stiff-armed a defender and powered his way for a 36-yard gain to the Washington 1. On the next play, after a play-action fake, Hill found tight end Jared Cook wide open at the back of the end zone with 3:52 to play in the third quarter. The Rams faked the kick as holder Johnny Hekker improved to 3 for3 on passes this season with a two-point toss to Cory Harkey for 17-0 Rams lead.
After a three-and-out highlighted by a Eugene Sims sack on third down, the Rams stretched the lead to 24-0, thanks to an electrifying 78-yard punt return from Tavon Austin with 1:36 to play in the third quarter.
RAMS TAKE 6-0 ADVANTAGE TO HALFTIME
The visitors had a chance to add to their lead with about 5 ½ minutes to play before halftime but Greg Zuerlein's field-goal attempt from 28 yards out was pushed to the right. A 37-yard punt return from Tavon Austin set up the drive, which featured some strong running from Tre Mason and stalled with sacks on back-to-back plays deep in Redskin territory.
The big punt return was keyed by a block on the edge from Daren Bates.
The Rams' two-minute offense put them in position to score again at the end of the half. But again, on a 38-yarder at the buzzer, Zuerleins missed wide to the right.
Some quick halftime numbers:
• Shaun Hill has completed 10 of 14 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown, Tre Mason has rushed 10 times for 35 yards and tight end Jared Cook has two catches for 51 yards and the game's lone touchcdown.
The Rams have outgained the Redskins 197-93 and have limited Washington to just 12 rushing yards.
• Colt McCoy has completed 10 or 14 passes for 94 yards and one interception. Pierre Garcon has four catches for 48 yards.
RAMS TAKE THE LEAD EARLY IN SECOND QUARTER
The Rams grabbed the lead early in the second quarter as Shaun Hill found tight end Jared Cook wide open on a seam route down the middle for a 35-yard touchdown. It's the second TD of the season for Cook, who was shaken up earlier in the game after a helmet-to-helmet hit from Washington safety Ryan Clark.
Greg Zuerlein missed the extra point; the Rams are up 6-0 with 12:19 to play in the first half.
The key play of the scoring drive was a 20-yard run by Benny Cunningham.
The Redskins were moving the ball on the game's first drive when quarterback Colt McCoy overthrew Ryan Grant and free safety Rodney McLeod came up with the interception at the St. Louis 17. McLeod's 49-yard return was wiped out _ after a pair of under-the-hood reviews _ when the officials ruled that he was down by contact.
The Rams responded with a drive to the Washington 22. But back-to-back penalties killed the drive. Johnny Hekker, on his first punt since signing a six-year, $18 million extension, leaves the Redskins with a long field as Maurice Alexander (Eureka) downed the ball at the Washington 6.
ROOKIE DBs JOYER, ROBERSON INACTIVE
LANDOVER, MD. _ Defensive backs Lamarcus Joyner (groin) and Marcus Roberson (ankle) are healthy, but the Rams are continuing to go without them on game day.
Both rookies were among the team's inactives Sunday against Washington. The others: TE Justice Cunningham, OG Brandon Washington, TE Alex Bayer, DT Alex Carrington, and DE Ethan Westbrooks.
As expected, both DE Chris Long (foot/ankle) and LG Rodger Saffold (shoulder) are dressed and expected to start. Injuries weren't much of a factor in deciding Rams game-day inactives this week, because all nine players listed on the team's injury report Friday were listed as probable.
However, for Washington three starters were on the inactive list, including star wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who was scratched because of a shin injury suffered last week in Indianapolis. Starting middle linebacker Keenan Robinson (knee) and starting strong safety Brandon Meriweather (toe) are also out.
The rest of Washington's inactive list: QB Kirk Cousins, DL Kedric Golston, OG Josh LeRibeus, and OT Tyler Polumbus.
BURWELL TRIBUTE
There was a seat set aside for late Post-Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell in the press box Sunday at FedEx Field, with a vase of flowers and a photo placard that read: The Washington Redskins honor the life, work, and spirit of Bryan Burwell.
Several media members stopped by to look at the tribute, say a prayer, and take a photo. There will be a moment of silence in honor of Burwell prior to kickoff.
(Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.)