By:  Warner4Prez

This is more than an 0-2 football team.

The two painfully close losses these Rams have suffered are a sign of the growing pains that will turn this team into a winner.  Sunday, the Rams take the field at home against a Redskins team that has been fighting for relevance in the NFC East.  A team that will be looking to rout what have been dubbed ‘The same old Rams’.

They may be in for more than they bargained for though.

Let me be the first to admit that thus far,  I’ve been surprised by the ‘Skins.  I thought going into the season that they were a washed up squad -  just a bit too old to succeed.   In typical Donovan McNabb fashion though, he’s leading the team with a chip on his shoulder.  The Redskins’ over-the-hill offensive attack still features 10 year pro Santana Moss, (who is also leading the team with 16 catches and 166 yards) as well as Clinton Portis anchoring the running game.

The Rams have got to be looking to shut down Washington’s anemic running attack as they enter the dome ranked dead last averaging a whopping 53.5 yards a game.  Early indications are that it might be an even easier task as rookie LT (and Sam Bradford’s former team mate) Trent Williams is listed as questionable going into the game after injuring his knee and toe last week against the Texans.  This would throw off an already jumbled offensive line featuring Jammal Brown who missed an entire season last year, Stephon Heyer who has been flip-flopping from RT to LT and a LG rotation of Derrick Dockery and Kerry Lichtensteiger.  The possible return of Clifton Ryan who’s fighting his way back from concussion symptoms will help greatly.  Craig Dahl is also struggling to fight off concussion symptoms, neither player has been cleared to play yet, but it’s still possible both can.

Of course, putting the ball in McNabb’s hands won’t be making this defenses’ day any easier.  He’s a man completing 61% of his passes for almost 600 yards with no INTs to boot.  The end zone has been a bit elusive for these ‘Skins though,  as they’ve only got three offensive TDs under their belt, a feat shared with our very own Rams.  If the Rams can contain Clinton Portis though,  McNabb has favored two targets primarily; Moss as well as Chris Cooley.  Cooley is having himself a strong start to the year with nine catches for 144 yards and will likely hear his name called plenty against a Ram defense that has been weak over the middle.  In the first two games this year opposing defenses have targeted the Rams’ LBs and Safeties 36 times completing 25.  Ron Bartell and Brad Fletcher have proven thus far to be able to contain opposing WRs in man to man coverage, so the onus lies on the guys underneath to help out.  There is hope there though. Kevin Dockery has been working with the scout defense as he works his way back from a high-ankle sprain and in Jerome Murphy recorded an interception in his first game last week.

Jim Haslett is going to try to stop the run.  The good news for Steven Jackson is that no one has really tested this defense on the ground yet. A quick look at the Redskins’ defense though, and you begin to sense that Jackson could be in for a long day. Maake Kemoeatu and Albert Haynesworth (questionable but practicing) clog up the middle of the line to make room for Rocky Macintosh (24 tackles) and former Ram London Fletcher to clean house.  Then when you throw LaRon Landry playing up into the box, you’ve got an ugly situation.  The upside is that this offense is already plenty familiar with playing 3-4 defenses and a few of these guys played here while Haslett was coaching in St. Louis so there may be some familiarity there.

The biggest task will be keeping Sam Bradford off of the EJD turf.  Brian Orakpo hasn’t done much this year yet, but he certainly knows how to get to the QB.  Never mind the fact that Orakpo and Bradford probably don’t think too highly of each other thanks to the Red River Rivalry, but that’s old news.  Bradford’s bookends have played quite well in pass protection only giving up one sack between the two of them. Pressure up the middle has been a problem and could show up again in the form of the Safety blitz.

Mark Clayton is still a man on a mission.  He leads all receivers in the NFC West which is quite the accomplishment given some of the competition.  He’ll likely be facing DeAngelo Hall Sunday, who works well in zone schemes and makes QBs pay if they throw his way.  Clayton seems to excel at creating just enough space to make the catch though, so this should be an entertaining match-up.  Laurent Robinson has been held out of all practices this week and is unlikely to play, giving an opportunity to Brandon Gibson and Mardy Gilyard.  Gibson is one of the more physical receivers on the roster and will have to use his physicality to make plays in the open field.  Gilyard has seen some action on return duties and special teams, but has yet to get very involved in the passing game.

The TE position is still up in the air.  A recent rash of injuries leaves Darcy Johnson and Fendi Onobun as the two remaining survivors.  Daniel Fells was a limited participant in practices the past few days, and doesn’t figure to be healthy enough to make an impact Sunday.  This leaves a void in the teams’ passing plans and could lead to some more three and four wide sets from Pat Shurmur.  If the Redskins defense has shown much of anything this season, it’s that they’re vulnerable through the air, especially over the middle where Landry sometimes leaves to play the run.

The coaching staff can’t be afraid to mix it up this week and become a little more bold with the play calling.  The Redskins know that Steven Jackson figures heavily into this teams offensive plans and Jackson knows the ‘Skins have his number. Shurmur and company have to take advantage of some one on one match-ups on the outside and make some plays down the field or it will be a very long day.  The offensive ‘Ram 2 Watch’ will be Danny Amendola. This guy is very important to the team – whether it’s setting up field position in the return game or snagging the tough passes over the middle.  He’s sure to have a solid game this week.  On defense the ‘Ram 2 Watch’ will be James Butler. With Craig Dahl struggling to get on the field, this guy is going to be looking to take his job back full-time.  I expect a big day from him.

If they Rams are able to keep it close through three quarters again, they can stun the Redskins and right this ship, I expect they will.

PREDICTION:   13-10 Rams.