Written by DCist contributor Elisabeth Meinecke
The endangered 0-4 Rams will be lucky to avoid extinction this Sunday in Washington.
Where to start? The ‘Skins showcase their new offense for the first time this season against a team that didn’t finish .500 or above in 2007 (a performance the Rams look primed to repeat – you have to admire their consistency). I learned my lesson along with every defense in the NFL last week (after I rashly suggested the Redskins pass rather than run against Philly): never underestimate Clinton Portis, who racked up a league-best 146 yards against the NFL’s #1 rush defense. Portis will face a defense this week ranked 26th against the run and 31st overall. Run, Baby, Run.
Not to be overlooked in the “how-not-to-play-football” showdown is the Rams’ offense. St. Louis has the fewest first downs (and third downs, for that matter) and fewest total points of any team this season, even among the quadruplet of winless teams. Even without Jason Taylor, Washington’s defense should be able to overtake the Rams in one stat where St. Louis does surpass them: sacks. The Rams have allowed 13 this season – and that’s with offensive tackle Orlando Pace playing. St. Louis is coming off a bye week in which they fired their head coach and reinstated Marc Bulger as their starting quarterback. Barring a miraculous turnaround ala the Week 2 Redskins, the Rams have little going for them besides sheer luck and Steven Jackson (Jason Campbell’s biggest defensive threats are Leonard Little and rookie Chris Long, each with two sacks this season.)
The ‘Skins have shown they can win the close games. This week is their chance to prove they can command a game. Zorn’s play calling has been anything but conservative; he needs to show these Rams 2008’s version of The Greatest Show on Turf.
For the Chips ‘n’ Dip crowd (Those of you there for the food, the beer, or because your boyfriend gave you no choice): To understand just how bad the Rams are, think back to that one sports underdog movie you saw (Angels in the Outfield, The Mighty Ducks) before you swore off the entire genre as unrealistic. A Rams victory would be on par with any of those. If they do win Sunday, start looking for angels in the end zone – I guarantee you they’ll be there.
