Redskins vs. Rams: Game Film a Non-Issue, Defense Must Stop Jackson by Diane Chesebrough

It’s now Week Two of the 2012 NFL regular season and Redskins’ fans might be concerned by the fact that opponents now have game film on Robert Griffin, III.  They needn’t be. With his skill set, his offensive coordinator and head coach are like a couple of kids in a candy store with regard to the plays available to them to call. It’s going to be difficult for the St. Louis Rams to game-plan against Washington’s offense today when they play down in Edward Jones Dome. The two Shanahans – head coach Mike and OC Kyle – may not even use many of the same plays called last week against the New Orleans Saints when the team takes the field today.

If the defense plays today like they did last week against the Saints; and if they play like they did last season against the Rams, the win today should be decisive.

Last week the Redskins contained the high-powered offense of the New Orleans Saints in a surprising victory and a big part of that win was the play of the Redskins defensive front seven. These guys are going to have to do it again and their focus must be on Rams’ running back (and beast) Stephen Jackson and quarterback Sam Bradford.

Last season, the Redskins’ defense sacked Bradford an amazing seven times and held Jackson to 45 yards rushing. One of the things encouraging about this upcoming game is that many of the defensive starters are still on the roster and playing even better football. Of the players who started last season, the changes are in the secondary where, quite honestly, it’s hard to tell how the team will fair because of the unknowns on the Rams’ team. Last week St. Louis played the Detroit Lions tougher than anticipated although they ended up losing the game. Jackson rushed for only 53 yards in that game. This will happen today if the Rams get behind early and must abandon the running game. (With a guy like Jackson on their team however, it behooves them to keep at it.)

The Rams’ receiving corps consists of wide outs Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson, and tight ends Lance Kendricks and Matthew Mulligan. While these are not exactly household names, these guys are professional football players and, as such, are weapons that must be taken seriously. Against the Detroit Lions last week, Amendola caught five passes for 70 yards (the longest was 17 yards) and Gibson caught four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown. Kendricks caught two passes for 16 yards.

The Rams secondary will likely be a better test for Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin, III than the New Orleans Saints’ was. This is a better St. Louis team than Washington has played the last few years – now under veteran head coach Jeff Fisher – and, while the Lions could move the ball last week, the Rams’ defense limited the big plays and tackled well. In the end, the they intercepted Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford three times so Rams’ cornerback Janoris Jenkins is going to be someone the Redskins will need to keep an eye on as much as four-year linebacker James Laurinaitis.

If the Redskins’ defense can keep Jackson contained and cause as many problems for Bradford today as they did last season, there is no reason the Redskins shouldn’t win this game. None of this even takes into account that what was seen last Sunday out of Washington’s playbook was only a fraction of what is available to the Shanahans. Having only had one game so far and with so much available, Redskins fans don’t need to be overly concerned that the Rams now have game film on Griffin. They’ll see something new today.

“It’s just whatever to help us win,” the Redskins’ quarterback said this past Wednesday at his press conference. “Amazingly we scored 10 points in every quarter in the game, so that was kind of weird to see that. But we stayed on the field, we moved the ball, and that’s what counts. If it’s me running for six yards or [running back] Alfred [Morris] for 15, I’ll take the 15. But whatever it is, we’re just trying to make sure we move the ball. It is fun but I know they’re not going to get too carried away with all the creativity. They’re doing a good job of mixing it in here and there.”

While wide receiver Pierre Garçon (foot injury) was going to be a game-time decision as of yesterday, but is now inactive. It will be interesting to see what Aldrick Robinson, Leonard Hankerson or any of the other receivers can do with their new quarterback at the helm.

Hail.