ST. LOUIS - Conventional wisdom says as Steven Jackson goes, so go the St. Louis Rams. The supporting cast made believers of the Washington Redskins. The Rams ended a 14-game home losing streak with a 30-16 victory on Sunday by showing surprising depth. The go-ahead touchdown came on a run by Jackson's backup, and a defense minus both starting safeties consistently made Washington (1-2) settle for field goals.
"I'll bet a lot of people would have written us off," center Jason Brown said. "`Oh, Steven Jackson is carrying the Rams' offense on his back.' Well, you still have to have faith the rest of the players can rally around and fill that void."
The Rams (1-2) won for only the second time in the last 29 games and were confident afterward it wasn't a fluke.
"Hopefully, it's one of many," middle linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "I think that's kind of the message that we want to send, that it's not just an awesome celebration because we won one."
Unsung Kenneth Darby scored his first career touchdown on a 12-yard run for a 21-16 third-quarter lead, kick-starting the Rams to their first home victory since beating the Cowboys 34-14 on Oct. 10, 2008. That game was Jim Haslett's debut as interim head coach. Haslett is now the Redskins' defensive coordinator, and his unit surrendered the Rams' best point total in two seasons under Steve Spagnuolo.
"Needless to say, a very, very gratifying win," Spagnuolo said. "When you can rise above some adverse situations, it's even better. We lose some of our best players and other players stepped in there."
Little went as planned for the Redskins, who lost their punter during pre-game warmups. Josh Bidwell felt something pop in his hip and kicker Graham Gano, the stand-in punter, had his first attempt blocked by Dominique Curry. Bidwell was able to hold on field goal attempts, however.
"That doesn't happen very often," Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said. "Something popped. We're not sure what it is." SOURCE: FOX
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