Redskins Fall in St. Louis, 28-3
August 27, 2004
The Redskins lost to the St. Louis Rams 28-3 on Friday night, dropping their preseason record to 2-2. The Rams, coming off a 24-0 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football just five days ago, seemed to have added incentive to perform well in front of their home crowd at the Edward Jones Dome.
The Redskins' defense struggled to contain the Rams' high-powered offense. St. Louis compiled 435 yards of offense, including 284 through the air. Wide receiver Torry Holt was the offensive star of the first half, recording seven catches for 143 yards. Rookie tailback Steven Jackson led the Rams in the second half, finishing with 25 carries for 125 yards and one touchdown.
"That was a very dominating performance by the Rams," head coach Joe Gibbs said in his post-game press conference. "It just wasn't us. It wasn't Redskins football. The Rams dominated every portion of the game.
For the Redskins, there were few highlights on either side of the ball.
Mark Brunell replaced Patrick Ramsey as the quarterback midway through the quarter. Ramsey finished the game with 5-of-10 completions for 81 yards and one interception in what his second starting opportunity of preseason.
Brunell, who has started the other two preseason games, was 5-of-8 for 28 yards in the quarter. He was replaced by Tim Hasselbeck at the start of the fourth quarter.
Sultan McCullough led the rushing attack with 18 yards on six carries, mostly in the second half.
Defensively, Sean Taylor recorded his third interception of the preseason, Renaldo Wynn recorded a first quarter sack and Matt Bowen led the team in tackles with five.
But in the final tally, those statistics were little solace for Gibbs and the Redskins.
"Any time you lose like that, it's a concern," Gibbs said.
Third Quarter
The Rams scored touchdowns on their first two drives of the second half. Chandler completed passes of 21- and 32-yards in leading the Rams to a score on their opening possession. Jackson powered into the end zone from five yards out to give the Rams a 21-3 lead.
Jackson had rushed for 75 yards on 18 carries in the game.
On the Rams' next drive, Chandler completed a 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Shaun McDonald, as the Rams forged ahead 28-3.
Second Quarter
The Redskins trailed the St. Louis Rams 14-3 at the end of the first half. On the injury front, left tackle Chris Samuels suffered a sprained right ankle in the second quarter and is not expected to return.
Midway through the second quarter, the Rams capitalized on a Taylor Jacobs fumble, turning the mistake into points. Patrick Ramsey lofted a 44-yard pass to Jacobs, who caught the ball but had it poked out by cornerback Kevin Garrett.
Two plays later, Chandler connected with Holt on a 58-yard pass. Holt, who was a step ahead of Fred Smoot, was tackled at the 1-yard line. Chandler dived over center Andy McCollum for the touchdown on the next play.
Earlier in the quarter, the Rams took the lead on a 7-yard touchdown pass from starter Marc Bulger to Holt. The touchdown completed a 10-play, 74-yard drive that was aided by strong running by Jackson. Bulger also completed a key third-down pass to wide receiver Dane Looker for 19 yards, keeping the drive alive.
Limited to just one reception in the first quarter, Holt exploded for six catches in the second quarter. He had seven catches for 143 yards at the half.
Holt nearly had an eighth catch late in the first half when Chandler and Holt tried to connect on a post pattern for a touchdown. But rookie safety Sean Taylor leaped in front of the ball for the interception, his third of the preseason.
First Quarter
The Redskins led the St. Louis Rams 3-0 at the start of the second quarter, thanks to a 28-yard field goal by John Hall.
Ramsey got off to a strong start in the game, leading the Redskins on a 11-play, 62-yard drive on the opening series. Ramsey completed 2-of-3 passes for 24 yards on the drive and nearly connected with James Thrash on a touchdown, but the ball was dropped.
The Redskins had to settle for Hall's field goal. The drive was helped along by a late-hit penalty on Ramsey by Rams' defensive tackle Damione Lewis.
Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts alternated carries on the drive, with Portis collecting 13 yards on three carries and Betts rushing for 15 yards on four carries. Betts played in his first preseason game.
The Redskins also benefited on a late-hit penalty on Ramsey.
Defensively, Wynn led the way in the first quarter with three tackles and a sack of Bulger. Shawn Springs broke up three pass plays, including a wide receiver option in which Bruce threw a deep ball to Holt.
Pre-Game
Ramsey started the game at quarterback, as head coach Joe Gibbs continued to alternate starting quarterbacks this preseason. It was Ramsey's second start of the preseason and a key test for the third-year player as he competes for the starting job with Mark Brunell.
Brunell, who started the first and third games of preseason, is also expected to see action in tonight's game.
Prior to the game, it was announced that right tackle Randy Thomas would sit out the game. Thomas has had soreness in his right knee
Three defensive starters--linebackers LaVar Arrington and Mike Barrow, defensive lineman Phillip Daniels--are among seven players who did not make the trip to St. Louis because of injuries. Arrington and Barrow are nursing injuries, while Daniels has an abdominal strain.
Cornerback Walt Harris also did not make the trip. After missing most of training camp with tendinitis in his left knee, Harris is now sidelined with a calf injury.
Also not making the trip to St. Louis due to injury are the following: tight end Fred Baxter (knee), linebacker Chris Clemons (hamstring) and offensive lineman Dwayne Morgan (knee).
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