Sam Bradford threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns as the Rams came from behind to beat the Redskins 31-28.
Bradford inspires St Louis to comeback victory at home
Sam Bradford threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns as the St Louis Rams came from behind to beat the Washington Redskins 31-28.
The Redskins (1-1) took a 21-6 lead but the Rams (1-1) fought back thanks to Bradford and receiver Danny Amendola, who tied an NFL record 12 first-half receptions.
He also caught a one-yard touchdown pass, while Brandon Gibson and Matthew Mulligan hauled in scores in the second half to give the hosts the win at the Edward Jones Dome.
In his second NFL start, Washington's Robert Griffin III threw for 206 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 82 yards and two more scores.
The Rams made their comeback after coach Jeff Fisher benched running back Steven Jackson for drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the second quarter.
Washington were well ahead at that point after Josh Wilson had returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown before Leonard Hankerson caught a 68-yard touchdown pass from Griffin.
Spike
Jackson spiked the ball after getting ruled short of the goal line on a third-down carry from the one-yard line. It came a play after the Rams successfully challenged a lost fumble call on Jackson.
Fisher then pulled the franchise's career leading rusher, who spent most of the rest of the game by himself on the sideline with his helmet in hand, and went with Daryl Richardson and fellow rookie Isaiah Pead.
The Rams regrouped as Bradford found Amendola in the end zone, while three field goals from Greg Zuerlein kept the Rams in touch at half-time at 21-16 behind.
But Bradford led a strong rally after the interval as Gibson and Mulligan's scores more than cancelled out another touchdown run from Griffin.
The Redskins were given a final shot after DeAngelo Hall recovered a Richardson fumble at the Washington 37 with 2:40 to go. Billy Cundiff, though, was wide right and well short on 62-yard field goal attempt with 1:13 left.
The Redskins lost defensive end Adam Carriker and outside linebacker Brian Orakpo to injuries early in the first quarter, while Rams offensive tackle Rodger Saffold was helped off with a right knee injury.
