Live Free Picks
Home Of 500 Handicappers
Washington at St. Louis
When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, September 16, 2012
Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Redskins -3, O/U 45 at Bovada Sportsbook
Following one of the most impressive debuts in NFL history, rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III goes for his second win on Sunday when the Washington Redskins visit the St. Louis Rams, who are playing their home opener. Griffin passed for 320 yards in last week’s 40-32 win over New Orleans, the fourth-highest total for a quarterback in his first start, and was named the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Week. The Redskins traded up with St. Louis in this year’s draft to acquire Griffin with the No. 2 pick. The Rams return home looking to give coach Jeff Fisher his first victory since leaving the Tennessee Titans following the 2010 season. The Rams were in position to win at Detroit last week, but gave up a touchdown with 10 seconds remaining and suffered a 27-23 loss, their eighth straight defeat. A late clock malfunction contributed to the setback. Rams running back Stephen Jackson needs 48 yards to reach the 10,000 mark in yards from scrimmage.
ABOUT THE REDSKINS (1-0): The Redskins are gunning for their second straight 2-0 start, although last season they proceeded to lose 11 of their last 14 games and finished 5-11. While Griffin got most of the headlines, rookie running back Alfred Morris rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries in his first start after beating out Evan Royster and Roy Helu Jr. for the starting job. Wide receiver Pierre Garcon had four catches for 109 yards and a TD in less than two quarters against the Saints before leaving with an injured right foot. X-rays showed no fracture and coach Mike Shanahan called the injury a strain. Garcon’s status for Sunday is uncertain. The Redskins signed Justin Snow to take over the long-snapping duties from Nick Sundberg, who is on injured reserve with a broken arm suffered last week.
ABOUT THE RAMS (0-1): The Rams pressured Lions QB Matthew Stafford into throwing three interceptions last week, one of which was returned for a touchdown. But they still seem hampered by not enough offensive weapons to complement quarterback Sam Bradford. They need to generate a better running attack after Stephen Jackson finished with just 53 yards on the ground. That might be a problem against the Redskins, who only gave up 32 yards rushing against the Saints. The Rams are banged up on the offensive line. Center Scott Wells will require surgery after fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his foot against the Lions and is on the injured reserve recall list. Tackle Rodger Saffold’s status for Sunday’s game is uncertain after he was carted off the field last week with a neck injury. St. Louis looks to avoid its sixth straight 0-2 start.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Morris became the third Redskins rookie since the NFL merger in 1970 to score a rushing touchdown in the opening game of the season, joining wide receiver Michael Westbrook (1995) and running back Kelvin Bryant (1986).
2. The Redskins lead the series with the Rams 22-9-1, including a 17-10 victory last season in St. Louis. The Redskins had seven sacks in that game. The teams are meeting for the fifth consecutive year.
3. Bradford won his first game in the NFL against the Redskins on Sept. 26, 2010.
PREDICTION: Rams 20, Redskins 17
