Redskins: Five keys to beating St. Louis Rams

Sep 13, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) carries the ball past Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Koa Misi (55) and Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) in the first quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

4. Continue to lean on the running game

Most pundits would have thought that with the Redskins offensive line that they wouldn’t have had success running the football in week one against the Miami Dolphins but they did.  In fact, I think the Redskins offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage in that game.

And now against the Rams in week to they face another vaunted defensive front that many suspect they won’t have success against.  Without DeSean Jackson playing this week to stretch the field the Rams will be putting more emphasis on stopping Alfred Morris and the Redskins run game.

But the Redskins can’t allow that to deter them from running the football.  Even with Jackson, the Redskins offense is a unit built for the power running attack.  Running the ball successfully will open things up for Kirk Cousins to use play action passing.

That will be essential in giving Cousins open windows to find his receivers not have to put the team on his back to score.  That simply won’t work.  The Redskins need to control time of possession and try to wear the Rams defensive line down.

It won’t be easy but it can be done.  Jay Gruden needs to resist the urge to get pass happy and stick to what worked in week 1.  That means another week of the Redskins offensive line playing at a high level and taking it to the Rams front seven and not it letting it be taken to them.

Next: 5. Put pressure on QB Nick Foles