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Redskins hold on to beat the Rams

Oct 3, 2011 - 12:48 AM St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Ryan Torain ran for 135 yards and a touchdown, as the Redskins survived a late charge to defeat the Rams, 17-10.

Rex Grossman completed 15-of-29 passes for 143 yards and a score for the Redskins (3-1), but threw a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions.

"With our quarterback position there's good and there's bad," said Redskins coach Mike Shanahan. "Sometimes he's gonna make mistakes."

The Washington defense was the true star, registering seven sacks -- 2 1/2 by Brian Orakpo -- and holding St. Louis to 172 total yards.

Sam Bradford threw for 164 yards and a touchdown on 20-of-43 passing for the Rams (0-4), while Steven Jackson gained 45 yards on 17 carries.

Both teams have a bye next week.

Through three quarters, Washington rode a balanced, mistake-free attack to a 17-0 advantage.

But early in the fourth, Grossman's pass on 3rd-and-11 went through the hands of Santana Moss and into the waiting arms of Justin King, extending the Redskins' streak to 18 games with at least one turnover.

Following King's 51-yard return, Josh Brown hit a 32-yard field goal to make it a 17-3 contest.

After a Washington three-and-out, Bradford engineered a 60-yard scoring drive to pull the Rams within a touchdown. The march was extended by a roughing the passer penalty on Rob Jackson and capped by Jackson's 15-yard touchdown reception.

Grossman again faltered, throwing an interception to James Laurinaitis on the Redskins' next play from scrimmage. The Rams took over at the Washington 19, but sacks by Stephen Bowen and Orakpo on second and third down forced a punt on 4th-and-30.

"I've got to look at it," Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said of the protection issues. "Maybe we're not getting open downfield, maybe the ball's not coming quick enough, or maybe the protection's not right. We all know those are typically the three issues, but we'll see when we check it out."

The theme continued. Grossman missed an open Moss on 3rd-and-3, giving the Rams another chance.

This time they took over on their own 28, but Bradford's pass to Austin Pettis was incomplete on 4th-and-13 with 2:11 remaining.

Torain's four-yard run on 3rd-and-4 allowed the Redskins to run out the clock.

"Our defense did a heck of a job and allowed us to keep running," said Grossman.

Washington grabbed a 7-0 lead on its second drive of the game. Grossman converted two 3rd-and-longs to Jabar Gaffney during the possession before finding Moss in the endzone on 3rd-and-4 from six yards out.

In the second quarter, Ryan Kerrigan stripped Bradford in the backfield and the Redskins recovered near midfield. Torain reeled off a 20-yard touchdown run three plays later and Washington took a 14-0 lead into the half.

Graham Gano's 38-yard field goal made it 17-0 early in the third.

Game Notes

Washington holds a 24-11-1 advantage in the all-time series...The Redskins recorded their first win in a dome stadium since defeating the Lions at Ford Field on October 26, 2008...Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett was the interim head coach of the Rams in 2008...Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo served as a Redskins player personnel intern in 1983.