St. Louis Rams Week 14 Predictions Roundup: Washington Redskins

Nov 30, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher (left) and Oakland Raiders coach Tony Sparano after the game at Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Raiders 52-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Last week, the St. Louis Rams managing their more impressive win in the last decade, in terms of scoring differential, destroying the Oakland Raider in a 52-0 shutout victory. This week, St. Louis takes to the road to meet the Washington Redskins; a would-be battle for supremacy in the massive 2012 Robert Griffin III trade. However, the “would-be” is derived from the fact that RGIII is currently not the starter in Washington, being benched for the second time in as many seasons. With the Rams having wins over the 49ers, Seahawks, and Broncos, plus the largest point-spread victory of any team this season, will anyone go against them on the road this weekend?

NFL.com: 26-24, Rams

"This is a tough deal to call. Taking the Rams on the road, though, somewhat against my own judgment. Colt McCoy won’t be the problem for Washington. Rather, my concern lies with the Redskins’ defense. I trust St. Louis on that side of the ball much more right now. That said, other than last week, Washington has been stout against the run, allowing just 3.97 yards per rush on the season. But can the Redskins get to Shaun Hill the way the Rams will be able to get to McCoy? St. Louis has 28 sacks, all but one of which came in the last seven games. If those come in bunches, so do wins.Side note: Only the Raiders have won fewer games (five) than the Redskins (six) over the last two seasons. Seriously. #STLvsWAS"

Sports Illustrated: 20-17, Redskins

"Well that didn’t take long. It’s been less than a full season and rookie head coach Jay Gruden reportedly is ready to give Washington owner Daniel Snyder a him-or-me ultimatum if ownership intends to bring quarterback Robert Griffin III back in 2015. My first reaction upon hearing that news was this: Somewhere right now Mike Shanahan is smiling ear-to-ear and buying a round of drinks for the house. Because only one who has lived through the clown-filled circus that is Washington’s NFL franchise these past 15 years under Snyder can fully appreciate the current level of dysfunction that pervades in D.C. As if on cue, the Rams visit this week. Of course it is. How’s that blockbuster deal with St. Louis looking about now, Dan?"

Pro Football Talk: 27-10, Rams; 27-17, Rams

"MDS’s take: The Rams are playing excellent football right now, while Washington is cratering. I’ll pick the Rams to win another blowout.Florio’s take:  St. Louis has developed an ability to beat non-contenders to go along with its ability to beat contenders.  Washington isn’t a contender."

Some sites prefer to merely throw out their picks, instead of outlining boldly predicted scores. In a nearly unanimous vote, six of the seven experts in USA Today went with the Rams to pull out the victory on Sunday. In the Week 14  “expert picks” for ESPN, every member of 14 person panel picked the St. Louis Rams to win, the first time that has happened this season. In CBS Sports’ “Against the Spread” predictions, seven of eight went with the “favorited” Rams, which is understandable given the meager +2.5 point spread. As you would expect, with their “Straight Up” picks, the votes all went in favor of the Rams, with eight of eight experts picking Jeff Fisher and Co. to win.