2012 St. Louis Rams season

2012 St. Louis Rams season
OwnerStan Kroenke
General managerLes Snead
Head coachJeff Fisher
Home stadiumEdward Jones Dome
Results
Record7–8–1
Division place3rd NFC West
Playoffsdid not qualify
Pro Bowlersnone
Uniform

The 2012 season was the St. Louis Rams' 75th in the National Football League (NFL), their 18th in St. Louis and their first under head coach Jeff Fisher. Finishing at 7–8–1, they improved on their 2–14 record from 2011. In Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, the game ended in a 24–24 tie, the first since the 2008 NFL season. It was Sam Bradford's second and final full season as the Rams starting quarterback as two torn ACLs sidelined him for much of the next season and the entire 2014 season.

Personnel changes

On January 2, 2012, Rams' owner Stan Kroenke fired head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney after a 2–14 season, and their 10–38 record after three seasons.[1]Former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher was signed to be the new head coach and Les Snead was hired to be the new general manager.

2012 draft class

RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
114 [a]Michael BrockersDTLSU
233Brian QuickWRAppalachian State
39Janoris JenkinsCBNorth Alabama
50 [b]Isaiah PeadRBCincinnati
365Trumaine JohnsonCBMontana
496Chris GivensWRWake Forest
5150 [b]Rokevious WatkinsOGSouth Carolina
6171Greg ZuerleinKMissouri Western
7209Aaron BrownLBHawaii
252 [c]Daryl RichardsonRBAbilene Christian
NOTES
^[a] The team traded their original first round pick (#2 overall) to the Washington Redskins for Washington's first and second round picks in 2012, along with Washington's first round picks in 2013 and 2014.[2]
^[b] Rams traded the 45th pick to the Bears for the 50th overall pick and the Bears 5th round pick (#150 overall)
^[c] supplemental compensatory selection

Staff

2012 St. Louis Rams staff

Front office

  • Owner/chairman – Stan Kroenke
  • general manager – Les Snead
  • Executive vice president of football operations/coo – Kevin Demoff
  • Vice president of player personnel – Mike Williams
  • Director of player personnel – Lawrence McCutcheon
  • Director of college scouting – John Mancini

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – John Fassel
  • Assistant special teams coordinator – Paul Boudreau, Jr.

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Rock Gullickson
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Adam Bailey


† – suspended for the 2012 season
(see New Orleans Saints bounty scandal)

Final roster

2012 St. Louis Rams roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 4 reserve, 8 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1August 12at Indianapolis ColtsL 3–380–1Lucas Oil StadiumRecap
2August 18Kansas City ChiefsW 31–171–1Edward Jones DomeRecap
3August 25at Dallas CowboysL 19–201–2Cowboys StadiumRecap
4August 30Baltimore RavensW 31–172–2Edward Jones DomeRecap

Regular season

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1September 9at Detroit LionsL 23–270–1Ford FieldRecap
2September 16Washington RedskinsW 31–281–1Edward Jones DomeRecap
3September 23at Chicago BearsL 6–231–2Soldier FieldRecap
4September 30Seattle SeahawksW 19–132–2Edward Jones DomeRecap
5October 4Arizona CardinalsW 17–33–2Edward Jones DomeRecap
6October 14at Miami DolphinsL 14–173–3Sun Life StadiumRecap
7October 21Green Bay PackersL 20–303–4Edward Jones DomeRecap
8October 28New England PatriotsL 7–453–5United Kingdom Wembley Stadium (London)Recap
9Bye
10November 11at San Francisco 49ersT 24–243–5–1Candlestick ParkRecap
11November 18New York JetsL 13–273–6–1Edward Jones DomeRecap
12November 25at Arizona CardinalsW 31–174–6–1University of Phoenix StadiumRecap
13December 2San Francisco 49ersW 16–135–6–1Edward Jones DomeRecap
14December 9at Buffalo BillsW 15–126–6–1Ralph Wilson StadiumRecap
15December 16Minnesota VikingsL 22–366–7–1Edward Jones DomeRecap
16December 23at Tampa Bay BuccaneersW 28–137–7–1Raymond James StadiumRecap
17December 30at Seattle SeahawksL 13–207–8–1CenturyLink FieldRecap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Detroit Lions

Week One: St. Louis Rams at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rams31001023
Lions01031427

at Ford Field, Detroit

  • Date: September 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,315
  • Referee: Donovan Briggans
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

The Rams started their season on the road against the Lions. The Rams drew first blood in the first quarter with a 48-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein to take a 3–0 lead for the only score of that quarter. The Lions then took a 7–3 lead with Joique Bell's 1-yard run for a touchdown in the 2nd quarter. The Rams responded with a 29-yard field goal from Zuerlein as they came up within a point 7–6 before on the Lions' next possession, Matthew Stafford was picked off by Cortland Finnegan and it was returned 31 yards for a touchdown as the Rams retook the lead 13–7. The Lions then responded with Jason Hanson kicking a 41-yard field goal to shorten the Rams' lead to 13–10 at halftime. After the break, the Lions scored first with Jason Hanson kicking a 45-yard field goal to tie the game 13–13 for the only score of the 3rd quarter. However, the Rams moved back into the lead in the 4th quarter with Brandon Gibson's 23-yard catch from Sam Bradford to make it 20–13. The Lions tied the game back up with Kevin Smith running for a touchdown from 5 yards out to tie the game 20–20. The Rams then retook the lead with Greg Zuerlein kicking a 46-yard field goal to make the score 23–20. On their last possession, the Lions moved down the field and Matthew Stafford found Kevin Smith on a 5-yard touchdown pass to make the final score 27–23 as the Rams began their season 0–1.

Week 2: vs. Washington Redskins

Week Two: Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Redskins1477028
Rams3137831

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: September 17
  • Game time: 3:05 pm. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 53,979
  • Referee: Wayne Elliott
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

After a tough loss, the Rams returned home for a game against the Redskins. With the win, the team improved to 1–1. Before the game, the Rams were fined $20,000 for not reporting Steven Jackson's injury.[3]

Week 3: at Chicago Bears

Week Three: St. Louis Rams at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rams03306
Bears3701323

at Soldier Field, Chicago

  • Date: September 23
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CDT
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 62,224
  • Referee: Jerry Hughes
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Game information

After defeating the Redskins at home, the Rams traveled on the road against the Bears. The Bears scored first in the first quarter with a 54-yard field goal from Robbie Gould to take a 3–0 lead for the only score of the quarter. In the 2nd quarter, the Bears increased their lead when Michael Bush scored a touchdown on a 5-yard run to make the score 10–0. The Rams responded with Greg Zuerlein's 56-yard field goal to shorten the lead to 10–3 at halftime. In the 3rd quarter, the Rams drew closer as Zuerlein kicked a 46-yard field goal to make the score 10–6 for the only score of the quarter. But in the 4th quarter, the Bears held on for victory as Gould kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it 13–6 and then on the Rams' next possession, Sam Bradford was intercepted by Major Wright who then returned it 45 yards for a touchdown to make it 20–6. Gould kicked a 37-yard field goal to make the final score 23–6 as the Rams dropped to 1–2.

Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week Four: Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks703313
Rams3103319

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: September 30
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 53,193
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Kristina Pink
Game information

With the win, the Rams improved to 2–2, And 2–0 in home games.

Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week Five: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Cardinals30003
Rams730717

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

With the win, the Rams improved to 3–2. This was also the first time since 2006 the Rams were at least a game above .500. The team was 3–0 at home and 0–2 in road games at this point of the season.

Week 6: at Miami Dolphins

Week Six: St. Louis Rams at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rams600814
Dolphins0107017

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: October 14
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT/12:00 pm. CDT
  • Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 52,983
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

With the loss, the Rams fell to 3–3. With the Seahawks' win over the Patriots, the Rams were at the bottom of the NFC West. The team was also 0–3 in road games.

Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Seven: Green Bay Packers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Packers10071330
Rams3301420

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

With the loss, the Rams fell to 3–4 and suffered their first home loss of the season.

Week 8: vs. New England Patriots

International Series

Week Eight: New England Patriots at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Patriots72110745
Rams70007

at Wembley Stadium, London

  • Date: October 28
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. GMT/12:00 pm. CDT
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 84,004
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Game information

With the loss, the Rams fell to 3–5 on the season. In this rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI, the Rams traveled to London and were considered the home team in the 2012 International Series. The Rams' struggles continued as the team lost to the Patriots 45–7 heading into their bye week. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was able to have his way against the Rams' secondary, throwing touchdowns to four different Patriot wide receivers including two to ex-Ram Brandon Lloyd.

Week 10: at San Francisco 49ers

Week Ten: St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Rams14037024
49ers07017024

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

  • Date: November 11
  • Game time: 3:25 pm. CST/1:25 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 69,732
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

With their 3-game losing streak snapped, the Rams' record stood at 3–5–1 after the game ended in a 24–24 tie. This was the first NFL tie game since 2008 when the Bengals and Eagles played to a 13–13 tie game. It was also the first tie between the Rams and 49ers since 1968 when both teams played to a 20–20 tie game while the Rams were still in Los Angeles, thus this was the first tie game between the Rams based in St. Louis and the 49ers.

Week 11: vs. New York Jets

Week Eleven: New York Jets at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Jets31001427
Rams700613

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 57,711
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information

With the loss, the Rams fell to 3–6–1. After going 3–0 in their first 3 home games, their home record dropped to 3–3.

Week 12: at Arizona Cardinals

Week Twelve: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rams01414331
Cardinals7100017

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 3:25 pm. CST/2:25 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 60,062
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Game information

With the win, the Rams improved to 4–6–1, won their first road game of the season and swept the Cardinals for the first time since 2003.

Week 13: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week Thirteen: San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
49ers7006013
Rams00211316

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: December 2
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 57,279
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information

With the win, the Rams improved to 5–6–1. After going into OT with the 49ers for the second time during the season, the Rams once again faced the threat of a tie. However kicker Greg Zuerlein kicked a 54-yard field goal to seal the win for the Rams.

Week 14: at Buffalo Bills

Week Fourteen: St. Louis Rams at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rams007815
Bills336012

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 9
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST/12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 68,109
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Krista Voda
Game information

With the road win, the Rams improved their record to 6–6–1. The win was attributed to a late fourth quarter comeback drive by Rams quarterback Sam Bradford. The drive resulted in a touchdown reception by Brandon Gibson, bringing the score to 13–12. The Rams then scored a 2-point conversion on a quick pass to Danny Amendola, making the score 15–12 Rams. With under 2 minutes left in the game, the Bills attempted a comeback of their own, but came up short in what resulted in the Rams win.

Week 15: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week Fifteen: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings7233336
Rams0701522

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: December 16
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 55,751
  • Referee: Alberto Riveron
  • TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Kristina Pink
Game information

With the loss, the Rams fell to a 6–7–1 record on the season. The Rams' loss came due to a stellar, over 200 yards rushing performance by Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, and by early mistakes by the Rams' offense. During the game, Steven Jackson rushed for 73 yards, making him the 27th player in NFL history to reach 10,000 rushing yards in his career.

Week 16: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Sixteen: St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rams01414028
Buccaneers337013

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: December 23
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST/12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 51,535
  • Referee: Scott Green
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Krista Voda
Game information

Despite the win, the Rams were officially eliminated from playoff contention due to the Vikings 23–6 win over the Texans, but are aiming to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2004 with a win at Seattle at next week

Week 17: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Seventeen: St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rams073313
Seahawks0310720

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle

  • Date: December 30
  • Game time: 3:25 pm. CST/1:25 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 41 °F (5 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 67,936
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

After winning over the Buccaneers, the Rams traveled up to Seattle to take on the Seahawks with a division record of 4–0–1. The Seahawks defeated the Rams and hand the team their only divisional loss of the season. The Rams finished 7–8–1, their 6th straight losing season dating back to 2007 and their 9th straight non-winning season dating back to 2004.

Standings

NFC West
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(2) San Francisco 49ers1141.7193–2–17–4–1397273W1
(5) Seattle Seahawks1150.6883–38–4412245W5
St. Louis Rams781.4694–1–16–5–1299348L1
Arizona Cardinals5110.3131–53–9250357L2

References

  1. ^ Rams fire Spagnuolo, Devaney, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Jan. 2, 2012)
  2. ^ Redskins get No. 2 pick from Rams
  3. ^ "Rams fined for failing to report Steven Jackson injury". National Football League. November 2, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  • Official website

Media related to 2012 St. Louis Rams season at Wikimedia Commons

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