St. Louis Rams vs. Washington: Live Open Thread

The last time the St. Louis Rams started a season 2-0 was in 2001. Strangely enough, it was in fact the first and third games on the initial schedule that allowed the Rams to win those first two games. The second game on the schedule was part of the week 2 slate that was delayed due to the 9/11 attacks. The Rams would nonetheless open the season 6-0 (and finish the regular season on a six-game win streak) to head into and through the playoffs before losing a Super Bowl game against a certain team that perhaps performed certain operations that may not have been in keeping with the spirit of fair sportsmanship or the letter of the law as defined by the NFL rulebook.

Screw those guys.

Today, though, the Rams have a chance to close a chapter. A chapter that has lasted 14 years. A chapter that spanned the end of the Greatest Show On Turf, that "enjoyed" the worst five-year span of any team in NFL history and that has been on the verge of a renaissance for a couple of years since.

Today, the Rams have a chance to start a regular season 2-0.

Rams Offense v. Washington Defense

This certainly changed in a week's time.

Concerns about the Rams' offense have morphed into fullblown giddiness. Worries that Washington's defense would be a hellscape were turned around with a solid, albeit imperfect, performance against the Miami Dolphins. The Rams struggled to get much going on the ground against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. With the potential availability of RBs Tre Mason and/or Todd Gurley and Washington's front seven not being Seattle's, this could be the a battle we should expect the Rams' offense to compete.

Rams Defense v. Washington Offense

"No excuses."

That was the manta last week against Seattle. Six sacks, some tight third down effort, an interception and a game-winning stuff of Marshawn Lynch later, that mantra isn't changing any time soon.

Coaching

Let's be honest. The Rams' staff did a fine job in week 1.

Both schemes were prepared, though a trio of fumbles did their best to undo the Rams. The penalties were, amazingly, limited. Composure was evident, both late in regulation and in overtime.

Consistency, though, is the hallmark blah yadda.

Time to go close that chapter.