Upon Further Review

STORY OF THE WEEK

LINEHAN FIRST TO BE FIRED

The Redskins‘ victory over previously undefeated Dallas aside, Monday’s big news was hardly surprising — the St. Louis Rams pulled the plug on coach Scott Linehan following an 0-4 start to his third season.

Linehan fired his final shot last week, benching Marc Bulger in favor of Trent Green, who was 17-for-32 for 236 yards and one interception (which was returned for a touchdown). Linehan also played the role of desperate gambler, going for it on fourth down four times (making one).

Former New Orleans coach Jim Haslett, St. Louis’ defensive coordinator, was named interim coach. The guess here is that even if approached, offensive coordinator Al Saunders wanted nothing to do with the interim tag. Linehan was 11-25 as Rams coach, a job he got in part because Gregg Williams wasn’t interested.

Whoever inherits the Rams this offseason — and the guess is a new general manager first, a new coach second — will encounter a mess.

The Rams have been outscored 147-43 this season.

In an offseason where as many as seven head coaching jobs could be open, St. Louis ownership is going to have a tough time luring a viable candidate (in addition to a proven talent evaluator) to help rebuild a franchise that reached the Super Bowl twice in the last decade.

TEAM OF THE WEEK

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Redskins’ victory over previously undefeated Dallas aside, a team that wins for the first time in 11 months deserves credit, especially when it’s starting a different quarterback for the fourth consecutive week, and the win comes against an unbeaten division rival.

Larry Johnson, two weeks after voicing his displeasure with basically everything at Arrowhead Stadium, rushed 28 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

The Chiefs entered with 12 consecutive losses, a franchise-record streak that started last October.

“It seemed like 10 years,” left guard Brian Waters said. “It’s a sigh off relief to be able to have a little bit of joy in your life.”

FIVE THINGS LEARNED IN WEEK 4

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