Each week I will break down five plays that dramatically changed the face of the game and try to explain who did what well and who failed in their assignments. Since the talent level is so close in the NFL it is usually 5-10 plays that make all the difference. Here is a breakdown of five of those plays in the Rams vs. Redskins game...
Play One: Steven Jackson 62 yard run (7:48-2nd Quarter)
This was by far the best play of the young season for the Rams on offense and it was still marred by a stupid block in the back penalty by Donnie Avery. The reason this 
play was successful is because Richie Incognito did a terrific combination block with Jason Brown that took care of Cornelius Griffin then took care of London Fletcher. That block with the combination of Steven Jackson's speed and the poor angle by safety Chris Horton sprung Jackson loose. That is the margin in the NFL. One good block and one bad angle and you can have a big play happen for your offense.
Play Two: Clinton Portis 9 Yard Run on 4th Down (3:47-4th Quarter)
This play was as important to the Redskins winning the game as any in the game. Jim Zorn, correctly I might add regardless of the outcome, decided to go for it on 4th and 1 from the Rams 20 instead of kicking the field goal to put the Redskins up by 5. The Redskins lined up with two tight ends to the right and ran Clinton Portis left on a dive play. The success of this play came from tackle Eric Samuels and guard Derrick Dockery. Samuels forces James Hall to the outside opening the lane for Portis then Dockery takes care of Will Witherspoon to make sure that the hole remains open. What is sad for Rams fans is that both Clifton Ryan and James Laurinaitis were both close to making the stop. Ryan had a good push into the backfield to open some room for Laurinaitis to make the play but the center Will Montgomery gets just enough of him to give Portis the room to make the first down. A well executed play and another near miss for the Rams defense.
Play Three: Clinton Portis Comes Up Short on 4th Down (1:40-4th Quarter)
This play saved the Rams for a little bit at the end of the game and was huge at the time. Zorn elected to go for it again, but this time the Rams defense was able to come up with the stop. The Redskins lined up in a two tight end set and ran Portis on a simple zone play to the left. The keys to the Rams stopping the run were the initial push by the defensive line and specifically James Hall who forces Portis outside. Then a big play by safety James Bulter who forces Portis even further out and the play is dead. Portis has nowhere to go and the Rams get the ball back. A great defensive effort in the red zone.
Play Four: 3rd and goal from the 3 Redskins Stopped in Red Zone (5:10-1st Quarter)
This is another of those good plays by the Rams defense in the red zone. The Redskins had driven the ball down to the Rams 3 yard line and are looking for their first score of the day. Jason Campbell drops back with all available receivers in a route. The key to the play failing for the Redskins was the pressure by James Hall. He forces Campbell to make a decision quicker then he wants to, which makes him throw the ball towards Devin Thomas who is covered by Will Witherspoon and the 
ball almost deflects into O.J. Atogwe's hands. This play shows you what pressure can do to a quarterback when you actually make the offense have to hurry up. Unfortunately we have not seen much of this from the Rams pass rush this season.
Play Five: Campbell 21 yard pass to Moss (9:55-2nd Quarter)
This is one of those hidden plays in the game that changes a drive and a game. The Redskins have the ball on the Rams 30. Close enough for a long field goal but certainly no guarantee. The Redskins line up with three wide receivers in an obvious passing down. The Rams rush only three and Ron Bartell is locked up with Santana Moss in man to man. Moss runs a simple stop route at 15 yards. Ron Bartell continues to run, out of control, as if it was a go route, and Moss is wide open for the easy first down. If Bartell doesn't bite on the fake by Moss then the Rams may have forced the Redskins into missing a long field goal. Instead the Redskins get the chip shot and that turns out to be the difference in points.
I will continue this tape breakdown each week. Hopefully it will allow you some greater insight into why things work or don't work and please feel free to comment or ask questions. I will try to get the answers to any play questions as best I can.
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