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Rams @ Redskins

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(AP) -- A week after embarrassing the NFL's worst team, the St. Louis Rams have a prime opportunity to string together two victories for the first time this season.

 

That chance comes Sunday with a visit to the dejected Washington Redskins, who are on the verge of a five-game losing streak as they continue to work through personnel issues.

 

The Rams (5-7) led by 38 at halftime and dismantled Oakland 52-0 last Sunday with the defense forcing five turnovers while the offense took care of the ball through 60 minutes for the second time in three games.

 

They've relied heavily on turnovers with at worst an even differential in each win for a plus-7 margin in those five games against a minus-5 mark in losses. The Redskins have a minus-7 differential for the season.

 

After a 1-4 start, the Rams have traded wins and losses over a 4-3 stretch. Even in their victories, they've remained modest offensively. Their 348 yards against Oakland was a season high among their victories.

 

Tre Mason has emerged in the backfield, cracking 100 yards in two of the last three games and running for a personal-best 117 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries against Oakland. The rookie added another score on three catches for 47 yards.

 

"My mindset is that if I've done it once, why not do it again?" Mason told the team's official website. "I told myself coming into the league to be the best, to be the greatest. And I'm trying to do it."

 

Greatness has been a bit more abundant against the Raiders than the rest of the league. Mason averaged 3.69 yards per carry in his previous four starts and might find running room more difficult to come by against Washington.

 

The Redskins (3-9) rank ninth against the run, limiting opponents to 102.8 yards per game, while the defense as a whole ranks 11th (344.0). Still, that hasn't translated to the scoreboard, where Washington's 26.8 points allowed per game ranks 27th.

 

That defense might feel it has something to prove after becoming the latest to be shredded by Andrew Luck, surrendering a season-high 487 yards in Sunday's 49-27 loss in Indianapolis to secure a second four-game skid this season.

 

"They've got to go out and make some plays," coach Jay Gruden said. "We need leaders to stand up defensively and take them by the throat, make sure they are playing fast."

 

That's been difficult with cornerback DeAngelo Hall and linebacker Brian Orakpo gone for the year, and safety Brandon Meriweather will likely miss this week with a sprained big toe. Even so, Gruden looks at his roster and sees holes where they weren't expected.

 

"I am concerned," he said, "because we're in Week 12, and we're still having some of these breakdowns with some key players who we're going to count on for the future."

 

Offensively, the Redskins took a slight step forward behind Colt McCoy. In his second start of the season and first since Gruden's benching of Robert Griffin III, McCoy was 31 of 47 for 392 yards and three TDs, one more than Griffin's total in five games.

 

McCoy has thrown one interception in three games and his 1.1 interception percentage would be among the league leaders with the requisite attempts, though he fumbled four times against the Colts and lost one.

 

"The most important thing is to find a way to get a win," McCoy told the team's official website. "We're going back home this week, so I'll put my best foot forward and keep going."

 

McCoy will have to contend with defensive end Chris Long, who returned against the Raiders after missing 10 games with an ankle injury. He had an immediate impact with a sack and a fumble recovery as part of an improved pass rush.

 

The Rams had six sacks against the Raiders, giving them 22 in five November games - one behind Philadelphia for the league lead since the start of Week 9. They started the season with one sack in five games.

 

"It felt really good," said Long of being a part of a defense that's held opponents to 15.0 points at 65.0 rushing yards over five games. "It's tough. You prepare for the season and then you've got to watch your buddies out there going through good and bad. I just was really happy to be a part of it."

 

Like the Redskins, the Rams have shuffled quarterbacks. Shaun Hill has started the last three games and will be out to string together consistent starts, which he's yet to do with the Rams. He was 13 of 22 for 183 yards and two TDs for a 116.3 rating against the Raiders after going 18 of 35 for 198 yards, a TD and two INTs for a 54.2 rating the previous week in a loss at San Diego.

 

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Rams declared CB Lamarcus Joyner, DT Ethan Westbrooks, DT Alex Carrington, CB Marcus Roberson, TE Justice Cunningham, OL Brandon Washington, and TE Alex Bayer inactive for Week 14 against the Redskins.

Joyner has a groin injury. The rest are healthy scratches.

 

 

 

DeSean Jackson (leg) is inactive for Week 14 against the Rams.

As expected. Andre Roberts will get the start opposite Pierre Garcon and be the No. 3 option in the pass game behind Garcon and Jordan Reed. Garcon has some WR3 appeal, while Reed is on the TE1 map.
Also inactive for the Redskins are QB Kirk Cousins, DL Kedric Golston, OG Josh LeRibeus, and OT Tyler Polumbus.

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