Redskins: Five keys to beating St. Louis Rams

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Sep 13, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden on the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Redskins: Keys to beating the Rams

1. More discipline and less penalties

The Washington Redskins had a great chance to beat the Miami Dolphins in week one.  They had the running game going with Alfred Morris, the defense played well against the run and pass and they had the lead in the second half.

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However, it became unglued when the Redskins started committing penalties that halted their momentum and allowed the Dolphins to take control of the game.  For the Redskins to have a shot at beating the St. Louis Rams they can’t afford to commit penalties at the rate they did in week 1.

And it wasn’t just penalties like holding and false starts although they had plenty of those too.  It also, was the personal foul penalties that either gave the Dolphins chunks of yards or moved the Redskins offense back into third and forevers.

The Washington Redskins aren’t a team that can continue to shoot itself in the foot like they did against the Dolphins.  And with key players like DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Chris Culliver (suspended) not playing in the game, the margin for error is that much smaller.

Jay Gruden needs the Redskins to play with more discipline and commit less penalties, if they can then stand a chance of pulling the upset.  If they can’t then they stand no chance.

Next: 2. Improved Special Teams