Redskins-Rams: Winners & Losers

Handing out labels following 'Skins games. Today: a 19-17 loss to St. Louis...

WINNERS: Jim Zorn – Because of three killer fumbles, the 'Skins lost a game they should’ve won by 10 with a balanced offensive attack and dominant defense. It was a punch in the gut, losing at home to one of the worst teams in the league, but Zorn Star’s axiom to “stay medium” comes into play now just as much as it did after winning at Dallas and Philly.

Clinton Portis –Yet another 100-yard day, two more TDs, and exemplary pass protection (or “pass pro,” as the experts call it). He’s having the best year of his career, and he’s had a hell of a career.

Carlos Rogers –Jason La Canfora dubbed him a “shutdown corner” this week, which I thought was a bit much, but he locked up Torry Holt all day.

Chris Horton –Forced a fumble on a WR reverse that was a freak-type play. Seriously, it was the type of play we’re accustomed to seeing from guys named Landry, Taylor, and Arrington.

Marcus Washington – Didn’t think he was going to start this week, yet he forced Steven Jackson to fumble inside St. Louis’ five on the Rams’ opening series and later debuted his “Ride That Pony” dance.

Jason Campbell – Finally fumbled, but that wasn’t really his fault. Also, didn’t make many, if any, bad throws and led a nice fourth-quarter comeback.

Antwaan Randle El – Caught five balls for 87 yards, including a huge one on 3rd-and-14 to get to the goal line and cap the comeback.

Ladell Betts – Made a big play on 3rd-and-12; catching a screen, breaking a tackle, and picking up 11. Portis proceeded to pick up the first on 4th-and-1. Also hurt his leg (knee?) late in the game.

LOSERS: Leigh Torrence –You don’t lose a game on just one play, but if you could, Torrence lost this one by letting Donnie Avery catch that deep, desperation ball with under a minute left. (Where was Smoot, by the way?) Also, went facemask-to-nose with Rams Head Coach Jim Haslett after a punt. Not sure why, but it’s worth mentioning.

Pete Kendall – Caught a deflected Campbell pass in the red zone, tried to advance the ball, coughed it up, and watched it go the length of the field the other way for a TD. Epic. Fail.

Durant Brooks – Averaged 40.4 yards per punt, but that doesn’t tell the story. Drawing boos from the home crowd does. Getting yelled at by teammates does. Shanking one out of your own end zone does. And so on. I was officially wrong about this guy. Derrick Frost still sucks though.

Santana Moss – Dropped as many passes as he caught (two).

Kenny, Moose & Goose –Darryl Johnstone told a never-ending story about how he almost became a Raider instead of a Cowboy. Also, to quote Siragusa, “There’s no reason you don’t kill a fly with a sledgehammer.”

MEDIUM: LaRon Landry – Recovered a fumble, dropped an interception, and lit up a Rams receiver.

London Fletcher – The guy was everywhere, as always. Did drop an easy INT though.

Shaun Suisham –Made his eighth FG in a row, then put the ensuing kickoff out of bounds.

Chris Cooley – Killed an early scoring drive with a fumble; the 'Skins’ first turnover of the season. Later false started on 3rd-and-4. Also, made one of the best catches you’ll ever see.

Jon Jansen – Winner on run blocking, loser on pass protection.

NEXT: Cleveland at Washington, Sunday, Oct. 19, 4:15 PM EDT

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