The fact that the scene at the Edward Jones Dome went down against a soundtrack of frequent deadly silence tells you everything you need to know about where the Washington Redskins and the St. Louis Rams have found themselves this season. With big divisional contests taking place across the country, the Skins and Rams and their play-for-pride sideshow felt like it was taking place in an alternate universe. Probably the most interesting thing in the dome Sunday was the start given to Ryan Fitzpatrick — he of the uncommon poise and the Ivy League education.

Fitzpatrick provided some highlights for the eyeballs that included a nice touchdown scamper and the presence of a sign supporting his efforts, briefly spotted by the television cameras before some watchful network eye noticed that it read “Fitz is the Titz” and ordered a cutaway. For the most part, however, the Redskins defense kept Fitzgerald and the Rams offense in check. They held St. Louis’ ground game to a paltry 49 yards and exploited Fitzgerald’s greenness by blitzing him from every direction. Fitzgerald and the Rams’ offense failed to add to the score, leading to a 24-9 Washington win.

Clinton Portis broke off on a 47 yard jaunt early in the game to give Washington the lead, one of a handful of big runs that peppered their successful rushing attack. Rock Cartwright, already possessed of the second-coolest name in the NFL (the coolest belonging to former Redskin Sage Rosenfels, who also had a great game Sunday), took home a career day filled with personal bests. Cartwright added 118 yards to Portis’ 136.