If you would have bet me that the Rams would open the season in Seattle like they did the year before in Philadelphia I would have lost a lot of money.  I think that everyone knew that the Rams were not going to be World beaters in 2009 but I think most people believed that the effort and the execution would be much better.  The opener in Seattle was not that.  Luckily for the Rams the season is not defined by one game and they have another chance this week against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field.  Here is a preview of what you can expect to see on Sunday.

When the Rams have the ball

Last week was a disaster for the Rams on offense.  Anytime you are shutout in the NFL there is no other way to put it.  The playcalling last week was suspect to put it politely.  Steven Jackson needs to touch the ball a lot more against the Redskins this weekend.  That will accomplish two things.  First it will give the ball to the Rams best player and two it will keep the Rams out of 2nd and long and 3rd and long which they were all the time last Sunday.  What has to be keeping the Rams up at night is Albert Haynesworth.  It will be a long afternoon if Jason Brown, Richie Incognito and Jacob Bell can't figure out a way to neutralize him.  Also count on the Redskins doing everything in their power to try and get into Incognito's head after the "performance" he had in Seattle.

London Fletcher continues to be the worst move the Rams have made since moving to St. Louis.  The Rams hopefully have finally found their middle linebacker in James Laurinaitis but in the interim all Flecther continues to do is make plays.  Last week he "only" had 18 tackles.  That is a ridiculous number.  The secondary is also pretty good with Laron Landry at safety and Deangelo Hall at cornerback.  It is going to be a real challenge on the road to put up many points.

When the Redskins have the ball

I assume Jim Zorn has watched a game from the Rams at some point and it doesn't take a genius to figure out how to beat them.  Run the ball a lot and find the tight end.  Since the Redskins have a very good running back in Clinton Portis and a very good tight end in Chris Cooley it could be a long afternoon for the Rams.  Santana Moss is still a very good wide receiver and will probably be testing Jonathan Wade early and often.  Antwaan Randle-El had a big game in week one so there are a lot of weapons for Jason Campbell to use.  Campbell does not impress, but the Redskins continue to have faith in him.  If the Rams are going to win this game they are going to have to force Campbell into mistakes and force turnovers.  If they don't do that it will be a long day in D.C.

Special Teams

Donnie Jones was awesome in week one.  Josh Brown was not.  Brown won the game against the Redskins last season and hopefully will get back on track this week.  Meanwhile the return game continues to be non-existent for the Rams.  Hopefully the Rams will find someone who can hold onto the football and make some plays this week.

As far as the Redskins are concerned Antwaan Randle-El is very dangerous returning punts.  On kickoffs it is Rock Cartwright who is not an awful kick returner.  Shane Suisham is a middle of the pack kicker but Hunter Smith is an above average punter.  The Rams will have to make sure that their coverage units are buttoned up this week because the Redskins can make plays.

Prediction

This one looks like a mismatch on paper.  The Redskins need the win to keep pace in the NFC East.  They were dominated last week by the Giants and are coming back for their home opener.  They are prepared not to let their guard down like they did last year against the Rams.  The Rams meanwhile looked about as bad as you could in a season opener and are headed to a tough building to win in.  The only thing that makes me a little hopeful is that Steve Spagnuolo knows the Redskins as well as anyone and maybe he has their number.  It is probably grasping at straws though.  I don't think this one will be close but I do think the Rams score......Redskins 30 Rams 10.

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