The Sports Xchange
Sep 20, 2015
LANDOVER, Md. จC Rookie running back Matt Jones rumbled for two touchdowns and 123 yards to lead the Washington Redskins to a 24-10 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
Jones' second touchdown, a 3-yard burst with 2:43 to go, concluded a 12-play, 77-yard drive and sealed the result that evened each team's record at 1-1.
The Rams had nearly as many penalties (nine) as first downs (11), while the Redskins teamed Jones and Alfred Morris for 37 carries and 182 rushing yards to dominate time-of-possession, 37:18-22:16.
Down 17-0 at halftime, the Rams finally broke through on their first series of the second half. Wide receiver Tavon Austin ran for 16 and running back Tre Mason followed with 13 to help set up Greg Zuerlein's 52-yard field goal that made it 17-3.
On the fifth play of the next possession, Rams defensive end Robert Quinn knocked the ball loose from Jones and safety T.J. McDonald recovered at the Washington 49. Just two plays later, wide receiver Kenny Britt beat Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall and safety Trenton Robinson for a 40-yard touchdown throw from Nick Foles (17 of 32, 150 yards). Previously blanked, the Rams had scored 10 points in just 2:32.
With the Redskins clinging to the 17-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter, quarterback Kirk Cousins (23 of 27, 203 yards) found tight end Jordan Reed in stride over the middle for a 29-yard catch to the Rams' 31.
Each team generated one first down on its first series, but the Rams' ended when Foles fell on his own fumble and the Redskins' drive ended when Cousins was sacked by St. Louis defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who beat left guard Shawn Lauvao.
The Rams produced just one first down when they got the ball back. However, Washington then needed just three plays to reach the end zone. Morris burst up the middle for 35 yards on the first one and Jones raced 39 yards down the visiting sideline for the touchdown on the third one to give the Redskins a 7-0 lead with 7:05 left in the first quarter.
St. Louis then went three-and-out before Cousins found Ryan Grant จC starting in place of injured receiver DeSean Jackson จC for 35 to jump-start Washington's ensuing possession. It ended seven plays later with Dustin Hopkins' 48-yard field goal. His first NFL points extended the margin to 10 points with 53 seconds remaining in the quarter.
The Redskins finished their next drive in the Rams' end zone. Wide receiver Pierre Garcon fended off cornerback Janoris Jenkins to haul in Cousins' 4-yard toss. Jones made the big plays, a 25-yard run and an 18-yard catch and run, as Washington took a 17-0 advantage into the locker room.
NOTES: Redskins RB Alfred Morris passed Terry Allen for fifth place on Washington's career rushing list with 4,137 yards. กญ Although they're in different divisions, Sunday's game was the ninth time that St. Louis and Washington have played during the last 11 seasons. กญ Robert Griffin III, the Redskins' starter during most of the past three years, was the inactive No. 3 quarterback for the second straight week. กญ Redskins ILB Perry Riley left the game with a calf injury and did not return.