It’s game day, and this afternoon, the Washington Redskins take on the St. Louis Rams, looking to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Brian Orakpo, Stephen Bowen and the Redskins sacked Rams quarterback Sam Bradford seven times in their meeting last season. (Associated Press)
The Rams enter the game with a 0-1 mark after losing 27-23 to the Detroit Lions in Week 1.
The Redskins still are waiting word on the status of wide receiver Pierre Garcon. Limited in practice all week by a foot injury suffered against the Saints, Garcon plans to test out the foot pre-game to see if he can go full-speed despite the still-existing pain. If he can’t go, Aldrick Robinson likely will get the nod.
On Friday we took a look at five storylines to follow, and the key matchups for this game,. Now, here are some fast facts for the matchup:
- This is the fifth consecutive meeting between these two teams and the 37th all-time. The Redskins have gone 2-2 against St. Louis in the last four games, and 22-9-1 versus the Rams for the series. Washington beat St. Louis 17-10 last season.
- A win would give the Redskins their second straight 2-0 start and the 17th such opening in franchise history.
- The Redskins haven’t opened the year with back-to-back road wins since 1982. The team went on to win the Super Bowl that season.
- Robert Griffin III has a chance to give the franchise its 100th 300-yard passing game. Last week’s 321-yard effort marked the 19th in team history.
- A second straight 300-yard game by Griffin would give the Redskins their first since Jason Campbell strung together two such games in Weeks 11 and 12 of the 2007 season.
- With a win, Mike Shanahan would earn the 159th regular season victory of his career and would move past Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant for 13th all-time.
- London Fletcher aims to extend his consecutive games played streak to 226.
- If Garcon is able to go, he needs eight catches to hit the 200 career receptions mark.
- Cornerback DeAngelo Hall needs one interception to move into sole possession of sixth place on the active leaders list. Hall and Cincinnati corner Nate Clements are tied with 35.
- Second-year pro Ryan Kerrigan played every defensive snap last season and did so again last week against the Saints. He looks to add to his unit-leading 1,135-snap streak today.
Some connections between these teams:
- Redskins defensive end Adam Carriker was drafted by the Rams, and was a member of that team from 2007 to 2009.
- Fletcher spent the first four seasons of his career (1998 to 2001) with the Rams.
- Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett held the same position in St. Louis from 2006-08, and served as interim head coach during the 2008 campaign.
- Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was the Redskins’ quarterback coach in 2001.
- Rams linebacker Rocky McIntosh spent the first six seasons of his career (2006-11) with the Redskins before signing with St. Louis this offseason.
- Shanahan and Rams head coach Jeff Fisher were members of the same San Francisco 49ers staff in 1992 and ’93.
- Haslett and Rams strength coach Rock Guillickson were members of the same New Orleans Saints staff from 2000-05.
- Rams quarterback Sam Bradford and Redskins left tackle Trent Williams played together at Oklahoma.
- Rams defensive tackle and Redskins linebacker Perry Riley were teammates at LSU.
- Rams defensive tackle Darrell Scott and Redskins defensive lineman Jarvis Jenkins were teammates at Clemson.
- Rams running back Terreance Ganaway and the Redskins’ Robert Griffin III were teammates at Baylor.
- Rams linebacker Josh Hull played with Redskins running back Evan Royster at Pen State.
- Rams tight end Mike McNeill was teammates with Redskins running back Roy Helu Jr., safety DeJon Gomes and tight end Niles Paul at Nebraska.
- Rams center Bradley Fletcher and Redskins rookie guard Adam Gettis were teammates at Iowa.
- McIntosh and Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather (who is out for this game) played together at the University of Miami.
