Rookie Matt Jones, revamped D lead Redskins past Rams 24-10

It took just three plays to go 72 yards before Jones scampered 39 yards for a touchdown. Redskins on top, 7-0. That should continue against Washington in Week 2. Kirk Cousins found Ryan Grant on busted coverage for a 35-yard completion. Defensively, the Rams yielded 219 yards in passing and 124 yards in rushing.

Cousins did not throw an interception – his pair of picks a week ago gave him 21 in 15 career games – and was sacked only twice.

He was instrumental in the most pivotal situations including the fourth-and-1 call in overtime that has the Seahawks being scrutinized once again (that goal line Super Bowl play will forever follow them). The Rams come with a lot of different looks, which the Redskins need to be prepared for.

The Florida product got in the end zone on a 39-yard first-quarter run, which was set up by a 35-yarder by starter Alfred Morris. Jay Gruden is 0-1 against the Rams, this being just his second year as a head coach in the league. Sign up today. On the other side, Tre Mason, Tavon Austin and Benny Cunningham have combined for 17 rushing yards and no touchdowns. The play was the longest of the game for the Rams and cut the deficit to 17-10.

“He ran like his hair was on fire today”, Williams said. Gurley took snaps with the first-string offense for the first time Tuesday and was a full particpant in practice Friday, but said he will not be lobbying the coaches to get on the field.

After Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt scored a touchdown in the third quarter, Britt decided he wanted to talk some trash to Redskins defensive back Trenton Robinson. Washington’s selection of Jones in the third round likely indicated it would prefer a more explosive player as its every-down back in the future, but Morris is a consistently effective talent who is going to get playing time.

Aaron Donald is paying dividends as the Rams’ second first-round selection in the 2014 draft.

The Redskins are going to look to Dustin Hopkins to produce touchbacks because of the Rams electric return game, which proved to be the game victor against Washington last week. It was the eighth punt of the day for Hekker, who was averaging 46 yards per punt. The Redskins were only projected to win four games and they know that losing the first two games at home is only indicative of expert prediction.

Cousins directed a 12-play, 77-yard drive that ate up more than 6 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter and was capped by Jones’ second score. The Redskins converted a 3-&-8 on the drive to keep it alive.

The Rams were unable to do anything with the ball on offense, ending any chance of a comeback. The Redskins won 24-10.

St Louis in turn has 129 yards receiving today in 14 catches with one touchdown. But Jones wiped that out with a 25-yard run to the right, putting Washington in scoring position at the visitors’ 23. The Rams will have to regroup as the welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers into St. Louis next week.