The Washington Redskins, behind a rookie runner and a determined defense beat the St. Louis Rams 24-10 at a fired up FedEx Field.
First-year running back Matt Jones had his breakout game, and it was him and not the veteran Alfred Morris who led the team in rushing with 123 yards on 19 carries, including two touchdown scampers.
The two set the tone for the game as Morris ran for 35 yards on his first carry of the game on his way to 59 yards on 18 carries.
Jones did him one better, as his first run of the game was a 39-yard touchdown scamper along the left sideline, giving his team a 7-0 lead with 7:05 to play in the first quarter.
Another new Redskin, kicker Dustin Hopkins who replaced veteran Kai Forbath on the team because of his ability to kick deep into the end zone, added a 46-yard field goal to give the Skins a 10-0 lead near the end of the first quarter.
Washington added a Kirk Cousins to Pierre Garcon four-yard touchdown pass at the 3:02 mark of the second quarter on there way to a dominating 17-0 halftime lead.
It was the first time the Redskins shut out an opponent in the first half since October 2011, or an NFL-most 61 games ago.
The Rams rallied for 10 third quarter points, aided by a Jones fumble, his only mistake, to cut the Washington lead to 17-10 with 7:01 to play in the third quarter.
Washington (1-1) did not panic, and while the defense shut out the Rams in the fourth quarter, Jones redeemed himself by scoring the game-clinching touchdown with 2:38 to play in the game, giving the Redskins a commanding 24-10 advantage.
Meanwhile, quarterback Cousins was an efficient 23 of 27 for 203 yards and one touchdown. He also had some luck as a demoralizing interception was dropped and became one of his four incomplete passes.
One of his favorite targets, Jordan Reed had a clutch 29-yard third down catch on the game-clinching fourth quarter drive. He finished with six catches for 82 yards.
The defense was sharp, and for the second straight game held an offense to 10 points. Rams quarterback, ex-Eagle Nick Foles was 17-32 for only 150 yards with one touchdown.
Rams speedster Tavon Austin was held to 40 yards rushing, and as a team they only gained 67 yards on the ground.
The Rams ended the game with 213 net yards and were only 2-12 on third down.
Washington won the time-of-possession battle 37:44 to 22:16 for the Rams. The Redskins also had 373 net yards, 182 on the ground. Washington was also an efficient eight for 16 on third down.
Washington’s Garcon tied Reed with six catches for 23 yards and one touchdown.
The Rams were led in receiving by Jared Cook, who had five catches for 47 yards. Kenny Britt had two catches for 44 yards, including a 40-yard bomb during the Ram’s third quarter comeback. That rally also included a 52-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein in a losing effort for the (1-1) Rams.
