A lot has changed since these two teams last met. Washington has been a repeat offender in regards to making the playoffs, and the Los Angeles Rams have packed up and moved to LA. But there’s no change greater than that of the hiring of new Rams’ Head Coach Sean McVay as it greatly effects both parties.
Welcome to The McBae Bowl.
Washington has gotten off to a sluggish start to begin the 2017 NFL Regular Season. Many would like to give that credit to McVay’s departure, but we must keep in mind the same has happened the last two seasons. It has more to do with QB Kirk Cousins than anything else. They go as he goes.
Through one week, Washington ranks 20th in points per game and 21st in yards per game. Cousins only managed 200 yards and the run game only picked up 64 yards — the Rams had one less rushing yard than that — and it appears Cousins and new toy, free agent addition WR Terrelle Pryor are still not quite on the same page. Though Washington’s run game is a bit less of a surprise — as they weren’t great last year under McVay either, ranking 21st in rushing in 2016 and 20th in 2015 — the real shocker is Cousins’ low yardage total. Though he’s started slow in the past, it’s been due to poor completion percentage and turnovers. However, the insane yardage was there.
The struggles on Washington’s defense were clear in Week 1 as they allowed 30 points (27th in the league), and 356 yards (20th). There’s good news and bad news that comes with this.
The good news: Rams’ QB Jared Goff should be in position to have a repeat performance of last week (Washington allowed 298 yards passing week one) or at least something close to it considering the pass rush should be much better. The bad news: RB Todd Gurley could be in for another long day (Washington allowed 58 yards rushing).
Washington’s offensive line looked pretty bad in Week 1. This could be great news for the Rams, as DE/OLB Robert Quinn looked like vintage Quinn last week, and the most glaring reason is the return of All-Pro DT Aaron Donald.
However, the match-up to watch on defense will be Rams’ CB Trumaine Johnson vs Terrelle Pryor. These are the match-ups Johnson has thrived on in his career. Give him a big-bodied receiver to cover, and he usually thrives as he’s a big-bodied corner. The onus will be on the rest of the secondary containing WR Jamison Crowder and TE Jordan Reed and company.
Washington’s injury report appears to be long, but only one name seems to be in danger of missing the game: WR Josh Doctson. Meanwhile the Rams have a shorter list, but still one name appears to be on the verge of missing the game in CB Kayvon Webster.
2017 LA Rams Week 2 Injury Report
| Name | POS | Injury | Wed. Status | Thu. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | POS | Injury | Wed. Status | Thu. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Maurice Alexander | S | Shoulder | DNP | Full | Full | – |
| Connor Barwin | OLB | Rest | DNP | Full | Full | – |
| Kayvon Webster | CB | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | Limited | Questionable |
| Andrew Whitworth | T | Rest | DNP | Full | Full | – |
2017 Washington Week 2 Injury Report
| Name | POS | Injury | Wed. Status | Thu. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | POS | Injury | Wed. Status | Thu. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Josh Doctson | WR | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
| D.J. Swearinger | S | Back | Limited | Full | Full | – |
| Bashaud Breeland | CB | Elbow | Full | Full | Full | – |
| Jamison Crowder | WR | Hip | Full | Full | Full | – |
| Junior Galette | LB | Hamstring | Full | Full | Full | – |
| Spencer Long | C | Knee | Full | Full | Full | – |
| Morgan Moses | T | Ankle | Full | Full | Full | – |
| Chris Thompson | RB | Back | Full | Full | Full | – |
The Rams appear to be in prime position to succeed two weeks in a row to start the season. But the challenge will come down to who can outcoach who as the two coaches know each other very well.
Washington HC Jay Gruden is one of the main reasons for McVay’s success and this will be a classic teacher vs student match. A McVay win could truly prove he is what they say: “one of the brightest young offensive minds” in the NFL today. A loss wouldn’t quite rule that out, but could show he’s still not all the way ready to overthrow sensai.