The Rams are hoping the change at head coach and the bye week inspire confidence against the Redskins.  Marc Bulger is back as the starting QB and he could have some success against a Redskins’ defense that doesn’t have much of a pass rush as they only have six sacks this season.  The Redskins will no doubt be double covering Torry Holt in this game as he is the only receiver on the Rams’ roster that scares them at all.  The more likely route the Rams will take on offense is to get the ball in Steven Jackson’s hands as much as possible as it finally appears that he is in football shape after his long holdout.  He has 480 combined yards rushing and receiving in the Rams’ first four games.  Still, the Redskins allow only 85.4 yards rushing per game, but, 4.1 yards per carry the Rams might have some success on the ground.

The Redskins will be able to do whatever they please on offense as the Rams allow 166.0 yards rushing (4.7 ypc) and 245.8 yards passing per game (114.3 QB Rating)!  Look for the Redskins to pound the Rams early in the game on the ground with Clinton Portis (514 yards rushing, 4.5 ypc) and Ladell Betts (124 yards rushing, 4.0 ypc).  The Skins will spread the ball around in the passing game as Santana Moss, Chris Cooley and Antwaan Randle El could all have big games for the Redskins against the Rams.  QB Jason Campbell has been very efficient (96.7 QB Rating) this season and he has yet to throw a pickoff.

PREDICTION:  WASHINGTON REDSKINS 34, ST. LOUIS RAMS 17

The Rams will be without CB Tye Hill for at least a month due to torn cartilage in his right knee.  Hill has made 20 tackles this season so he will be missed.  This hurts the Rams’ defense big time as they don’t have much depth at the position.

The Rams have lost starting TE Randy McMichael for the season due to a broken tibia.  He was having a decent season for the Rams this year catching 11 passes for 139 yards (12.6 avg).  McMichael will be replaced in the starting lineup by Joe Klopfenstein who is nowhere near the receiver that McMichael is.  He has caught 1 pass for 8 yards this season.  McMichael’s injury will definately hurt the Rams’ passing offense.

The Rams had no choice but to fire head coach Scott Linehan after the team got out to a 0-4 start this season.  The Rams have been outscored 147-43 so far this season and that just could not be tolerated any longer.  Linehan compiled a 11-25 record (30.6%) in 2+ seasons as the Rams head coach.  The Rams have replaced Linehan with 52-year old Jim Haslett.  Haslett was the Saints’ head coach from 2000-05 and he compiled a 45-51 record (46.9%).  Haslett was also 1-1 in the post season for the Saints.  Haslett is not considered a “interim” head coach so if he can turn things around the job will be his for a while.

Things were looking good after three quarters with the Rams leading 14-13 but the Bills scored 18 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to pull away from the Rams.  Trent Green got the start and he completed 17 of 32 passes for 236 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 interception (it was returned 33-yards for a TD by Jabari Greer).  Steven Jackson had a great game for the Rams against the Bills with 110 yards rushing on 24 carries (4.6 ypc) with a TD run.  He also caught 5 passes for 78 yards (15.6 avg).  Rookie WR Donnie Avery scored on a 37-yard run and he also caught 3 passes for 22 yards.  Torry Holt pitched in with 4 catches for 65 yards (16.3 avg) in this game.  The Rams finished up with 167 yards rushing on 29 carries (5.8 ypc) and they also completed 17 of 33 passes for 213 yards.

The defense really played pretty well in this game for the Rams.  Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (9 tackles) and DE Leonard Little (4 tackles, 2 sacks) led a solid defensive effort.  The Bills finished up with 111 yards rushing on 31 carries (3.6 ypc) and they also completed 15 of 25 passes for 166 yards.  The Rams are now 0-4 on the season.