MVN - Most Valuable Network

Jackson’s OT TD Keeps Rams on Post-season Life Support

With Santa already on his annual gift-giving ride, most Rams fans just wanted to ride the recent winning momentum into the playoffs. The afternoon before Christmas had both Washington and St. Louis in the giving spirit with their defenses each allowing over thirty points. The Redskins felt particularly charitable, giving up 579 total yards and showing why they are not sending any defensive players to the Hawai’i this year.

The shootout started in the first quarter with T.J. Duckett putting up six on the ground from five yards out. After the Rams had capped two consecutive drives with touchdown passes in the second quarter, Washington RB Ladell Betts answered with a touchdown run to tie the game at fourteen. He would finish the game with two scores and 129 yards. Later in the second, Redskins QB Jason Campbell threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cooley to put Washington ahead 21-14.

The lead changes continued with Washington sending Betts into the endzone for his second touchdown, only to be answered with two more Marc Bulger touchdown passes. One pass was a dump-off to Steven Jackson who broke loose for the remainder of the sixty-four yards that stood between the Rams and six more points. The game only featured two field goals, one by each team, at the end of the game to knot it at thirty-one. A failed attempt from Jeff Wilkins as regulation expired sent the game into overtime and Rams fans to the edge of their seats.

St. Louis won the toss but had to end the drive at midfield with a punt. Their defense turned stingy in OT, forcing Washington to go three and out. On the ensuing possession, Action Jackson churned out twenty-one yards on the ground for the score that the Rams needed for the victory.

Washington’s defensive futility allowed The Eddy to play host to a pro-bowl talent showcase for the Rams’ offensive honorees. Bulger went 25-for-38 and threw for 388 yards with four scores and no picks. Steven Jackson ran for 150 yards in addition to his 102 receiving yards. He scored in each category. Torry Holt did not have a game at the level of his all-pro teammates, but did finish with fifty-four yards on four receptions.

Linehan and company are hoping Minnesota shows similar holiday spirit to allow the Rams hit 8-8 and perhaps find their way into the playoffs. It is unlikely the Vikes will show them such hospitality in the Metrodome, perhaps leaving St. Louis to ring in the New Year with the start of a long off-season.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 27th, 2006 at 10:58 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.