2011 St. Louis Rams season

Offseason

Coaching changes

On January 18, the Rams hired former Denver Broncos' head coach Josh McDaniels as the team's new offensive coordinator, replacing Pat Shurmur, who became the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns five days earlier (January 13).

Draft

Main article: 2011 NFL draft

: The Rams traded its sixth-round selection (#145 overall) to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for the Falcons' sixth-round selection (#158 overall) and their seventh-round selection (#229 overall). : The Rams traded its sixth-round selection (#180 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the Ravens' seventh-round selection (#228 overall) and WR Mark Clayton.

Staff

Final roster

Preseason

Schedule

The Rams' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.

Regular season

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

First quarter

• STL – Steven Jackson 47-yard TD run, Josh Brown kick (STL 7–0)
• PHI – LeSean McCoy 7-yard TD pass from Michael Vick, Alex Henery kick (tied 7–7)
• PHI – Juqua Parker 56-yard fumble return for a TD, Alex Henery kick (PHI 14–7) Second quarter
• STL – Josh Brown 49-yard field goal (PHI 14–10)
• PHI – Alex Henery 34-yard field goal (PHI 17–10) Third quarter
• PHI – DeSean Jackson 6-yard TD pass from Michael Vick, Alex Henery kick (PHI 24–10)
• STL – Josh Brown 23-yard field goal (PHI 24–13) Fourth quarter
• PHI – LeSean McCoy 49-yard TD run, Alex Henery kick (PHI 31–13) Top passers
• PHI – Michael Vick: 14/32 187 Yds, 2 TD, 11 Rush, 97 Yds
• STL – Sam Bradford: 17/30 188 Yds Top rushers
• PHI – LeSean McCoy: 15 Att, 122 Yds, 1 Rush TD, 2 Rec, 15 Yds, 1 Rec TD
• STL – Carnell Williams: 19 Att, 91 Yds, 5 Rec, 49 Yds Top receivers
• PHI – DeSean Jackson: 6 Rec, 102 Yds, 1 TD
• STL – Brandon Gibson: 3 Rec, 50 Yds Top tacklers
• PHI – Jamar Chaney: 6 Tackles
• STL – Craig Dahl: 8 Tackles, 1 Assist With the loss, the Rams started the season 0–1.

Week 2: at New York Giants

First quarter

• STL Josh Brown 21-yard FG (9–84, 3:19) (STL 3-0)
• NYG Nicks 3-yard pass from Manning (Tynes kick) (5–38, 2:17) (NYG 7-3)
• STL Brown 25-yard FG (10–67, 2:26) (NYG 7-6) Second quarter
• NYG Boley 65-yard fumble return (Tynes kick) (NYG 14-6)
• NYG Hixon 22-yard pass from Manning (Tynes kick) (8–86, 2:37) (NYG 21-6) Third quarter
• STL Brown 27-yard FG (8–60, 3:11) (NYG 21-9)
• NYG Jacobs 9-yard run (Tynes kick) (10–81, 5:30) (NYG 28-9)
• STL Alexander 19-yard pass from Bradford (Brown kick) (13–72, 5:01) (NYG 28-16) Top passers
• STL – Sam Bradford – 22/46, 331 YDS, TD
• NYG – Eli Manning – 18/29, 200 YDS, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• STL – Cadillac Williams – 13 CAR, 36 YDS
• NYG – Ahmad Bradshaw – 15 CAR, 59 YDS Top receivers
• STL – Danario Alexander – 3 REC, 122 YDS, TD
• NYG – Mario Manningham – 3 REC, 56 YDS Top tacklers
• STL – James Laurinaitis – 9 TKL, 5 AST
• NYG – Antrel Rolle – 8 TKL, AST With the loss, the Rams fell to 0–2.

Week 3: vs. Baltimore Ravens

First quarter

• BAL – Torrey Smith 74 yd. pass from Joe Flacco (Billy Cundiff kick), Ravens 7–0
• BAL – Torrey Smith 41 yd. pass from Joe Flacco (Billy Cundiff kick), Ravens 14–0
• BAL – Torrey Smith 18 yd. pass from Joe Flacco (Billy Cundiff kick), Ravens 21–0 Second quarter
• BAL – Billy Cundiff 21 yd. Field Goal, Ravens 24–0
• BAL – Billy Cundiff 31 yd. Field Goal,* Ravens 27–0* Third quarter
• BAL – Billy Cundiff 38 yd. Field Goal, Ravens 30–0
• STL – Brandon Gibson 34 yd. pass from Sam Bradford (Josh Brown kick), Ravens 30–7 Fourth quarter
• BAL – Haloti Ngata 28 yd. fumble return, Ravens 37–7 Top passers
• BAL – Joe Flacco – 27/48, 389 yards, 3 touchdowns
• STL – Sam Bradford – 16/32, 166 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception Top rushers
• BAL – Ray Rice – 9 carries, 81 yards
• STL – Carnell Williams – 18 carries, 75 yards Top receivers
• BAL – Anquan Bolden – 7 receptions, 74 yards
• STL – Brandon Gibson – 5 receptions, 55 yards, 1 touchdown Top tacklers
• BAL – Ray Lewis – 10 tackles
• STL – Bradley Fletcher – 6 tackles With the loss, the Rams fell to 0–3.

Week 4: vs. Washington Redskins

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• WAS –
• STL – Top rushers
• WAS –
• STL – Top receivers
• WAS –
• STL – Top tacklers
• WAS –
• STL – With the loss, the Rams went into their bye week at 0–4.

Week 6: at Green Bay Packers

First quarter

• GB – Mason Crosby 32 yd FG, 6:57 (GB 3–0) Second quarter
• GB – James Jones 35 yd TD pass from Aaron Rodgers, Mason Crosby XP is good, 14:00 (GB 10–0)
• GB – Jordy Nelson 93 yd TD pass from Aaron Rodgers, Mason Crosby XP is good, 9:24 (GB 17–0)
• GB – Donald Driver 7 yd TD pass from Aaron Rodgers, Mason Crosby XP is good, 1:56 (GB 24–0)
• STL – Josh Brown 36 yd FG, 00:07 (GB 24–3) Third quarter
• No scoring plays Fourth quarter
• No scoring plays Top passers
• STL – Sam Bradford – 29/45, 328 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
• GB – Aaron Rodgers – 18/29, 316 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT Top rushers
• STL – Steven Jackson – 18 rushes, 96 yards
• GB – James Starks – 13 rushes, 49 yards Top receivers
• STL – Danario Alexander – 6 receptions, 91 yards
• GB – Jordy Nelson – 2 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD Top tacklers
• STL – Chris Chamberlain – 6 tackles
• GB – Desmond Bishop – 9 tackles Coming off of their bye week in week 5, the Rams traveled to Lambeau Field to take on the undefeated Packers. The loss dropped the team to 0–5.

Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

• DAL - DeMarco Murray - 91-yard run Second quarter
• DAL - Jason Witten - 1-yard pass from Tony Romo
• STL - Steven Jackson - 6-yard run
• DAL - Dan Bailey 30-yard field goal Third quarter
• DAL - Dan Bailey 51-yard field goal Fourth quarter
• DAL - Phillip Tanner 6-yard run
• DAL - Dez Bryant 20-yard pass from Tony Romo Top passers
• STL – AJ Feeley
• DAL –Tony Romo Top rushers
• STL – Steven Jackson
• DAL – DeMarco Murray Top receivers
• STL – Brandon Lloyd
• DAL – Dez Bryant Top tacklers
• STL – Quintin Mikell
• DAL – Abram Elam With the loss, the Rams dropped to 0–6.

Week 8: vs. New Orleans Saints

First quarter

• No scoring plays. Second quarter
• STL – Josh Brown 38-yard field goal. ''Rams 3–0. '''Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 5:41.'''''
• STL – Steven Jackson 3-yard run (Josh Brown kick). ''Rams 10–0. '''Drive: 2 plays, 15 yards, 0:26.'''''
• STL – Brandon Lloyd 8-yard pass from A. J. Feeley (Josh Brown kick). ''Rams 17–0. '''Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 0:41.''''' Third quarter
• STL – Steven Jackson 3-yard run (Josh Brown kick). ''Rams 24–0. '''Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 5:44.'''''
• NO – Jonathan Vilma fumble recovery in the end zone (John Kasay kick). Saints 7–24. Fourth quarter
• NO – Pierre Thomas 3-yard run (J. Kasay kick). ''Saints 14–24. '''Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 4:45.'''''
• STL – Darian Stewart 27-yard interception return (Josh Brown kick). Rams 31–14.
• NO – Lance Moore 8-yard pass from Drew Brees (John Kasay kick). ''Saints 21–31. '''Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 2:45.''''' Top passers
• NO – Drew Brees – 30/44, 269 yards, TD, 2 INT
• STL – A. J. Feeley – 20/37, 175 yards, TD Top rushers
• NO – Pierre Thomas – 7 rushes, 23 yards, TD
• STL – Steven Jackson – 25 rushes, 159 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• NO – Lance Moore – 7 receptions, 74 yards, TD
• STL – Brandon Lloyd – 6 receptions, 53 yards, TD This home game for the team also had a celebration of the St. Louis Cardinals showing off the World Series trophy. The Rams would then go on to win this game and improve to 1–6.

Week 9: at Arizona Cardinals

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• STL –
• ARI – Top rushers
• STL –
• ARI – Top receivers
• STL –
• ARI – Top tacklers
• STL –
• ARI – The game featured the Rams' scoring the four points in the third quarter as they got two safeties on consecutive drives. This was first time in NFL history that a team had recorded four points in a quarter.

With the loss, the Rams fell to 1–7 and last place in the NFC West.

Week 10: at Cleveland Browns

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• STL –
• CLE – Top rushers
• STL –
• CLE – Top receivers
• STL –
• CLE – Top tacklers
• STL –
• CLE – With the close win, the Rams improved to 2–7.

Week 11: vs. Seattle Seahawks

First quarter

• STL – Brandon Lloyd 30-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Josh Brown kick), 9:15 (STL 7–0) Second quarter
• SEA – Sidney Rice 14-yard pass from Tarvaris Jackson (Steven Hauschka kick), 8:36 (Tied 7–7)
• SEA – Steven Hauschka 19-yard field goal, 0:00 (SEA 10–7) Third quarter
• SEA – Marshawn Lynch 3-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 5:58 (SEA 17–7) Fourth quarter
• SEA – Justin Forsett 22-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 4:21 (SEA 24–7) Top passers
• SEA – Tarvaris Jackson: 14/24, 148 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
• STL – Sam Bradford: 20/40, 181 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT Top rushers
• SEA – Marshawn Lynch: 27 car, 88 yds, 1 TD
• STL – Steven Jackson: 15 car, 42 yds Top receivers
• SEA – Mike Williams: 2 rec, 62 yds
• STL – Brandon Lloyd: 5 rec, 67 yds, 1 TD Top tacklers
• SEA – Richard Sherman: 5 solo, 2 pd
• SEA – Chris Clemons: 3 solo, 2 asst, 3 sacks, pd, 2 ff
• STL – James Laurinaitis, 13 solo, tfl ;Team – pass – rush – total – to
• SEA – 126 – 163 – 289 – 2
• STL – 143 – 42 – 185 – 3 With the loss, the Rams dropped to 2–8.

Week 12: vs. Arizona Cardinals

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• ARI –
• STL – Top rushers
• ARI –
• STL – Top receivers
• ARI –
• STL – Top tacklers
• ARI –
• STL – With the loss, the Rams dropped to 2–9 securing them their 5th straight losing season.

Week 13: at San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

• SF – David Akers 36-yard field goal, 49ers 3–0. Second quarter
• SF – David Akers 19-yard field goal, 49ers 6–0.
• SF – David Akers 28-yard field goal, 49ers 9–0. Third quarter
• SF – Michael Crabtree 52-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 49ers 16–0.
• SF – David Akers 34-yard field goal, 49ers 19–0. Fourth quarter
• SF – Kyle Williams 56-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 49ers 26–0. Top passers
• STL – A.J. Feeley – 12/22, 156 yards, 1 interception
• SF – Alex Smith – 17/23, 274 yards, 2 touchdown Top rushers
• STL – Steven Jackson – 10 carries, 19 yards
• SF – Frank Gore – 21 carries, 73 yards Top receivers
• STL – Brandon Gibson – 4 catches, 42 yards
• SF – Michael Crabtree – 4 catches, 96 yards, 1 touchdown Top tacklers
• STL – Craig Dehl – 11 tackles, 2 assists
• SF – NaVarro Bowman – 6 tackles With the loss, the Rams fell to 2–10.

Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks

First quarter

• SEA – Michael Robinson 17-yard blocked punt return (Steven Hauschka kick), 9:57 (SEA 7–0)
• SEA – Steven Hauschka 42-yard field goal, 1:35 (SEA 10–0) Second quarter
• STL – Josh Brown 46-yard field goal, 11:04 (SEA 10–3) Third quarter
• SEA – Steven Hauschka 23-yard field goal, 12:03 (SEA 13–3)
• STL – Josh Brown 29-yard field goal, 1:49 (SEA 13–6)
• SEA – Doug Baldwin 29-yard pass from Tarvaris Jackson (Steven Hauschka kick), 0:06 (SEA 20–6) Fourth quarter
• SEA – Steven Hauschka 28-yard field goal, 8:27 (SEA 23–6)
• STL – Steven Jackson 1-yard run (Josh Brown kick), 4:39 (SEA 23–13)
• SEA – Marshawn Lynch 16-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 2:57 (SEA 30–13) Top passers
• STL – Sam Bradford: 12/29, 193 yds, 1 INT
• SEA – Tarvaris Jackson: 21/32, 224 yds, 1 TD Top rushers
• STL – Steven Jackson: 20 car, 63 yds, 1 TD
• SEA – Marshawn Lynch: 23 car, 115 yds, 1 TD Top receivers
• STL – Brandon Lloyd: 5 rec, 82 yds
• SEA – Doug Baldwin: 7 rec, 93 yds, 1 TD Top tacklers
• STL – James Laurinaitis, 7 solo, 5 asst, tfl, pd
• SEA – David Hawthorne, 5 solo, 5 asst, tfl ;Team – pass – rush – total – to
• STL – 167 – 114 – 281 – 1
• SEA – 214 – 145 – 359 – 1 With the loss, the Rams fell to 2–11 and were swept by the Seahawks for the first time since 2009.

Week 15: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• CIN –
• STL – Top rushers
• CIN –
• STL – Top receivers
• CIN –
• STL – Top tacklers
• CIN –
• STL – With the loss, the Rams fell to 2–12.

Week 16: at Pittsburgh Steelers

First quarter

• Steelers 3–0 – Shaun Suisham 21 Yard Field Goal (4:43)

Second quarter

• Steelers 10–0 – John Clay 10 Yard Run (Shaun Suisham Kick) (6:50)

Third quarter

• Steelers 13–0 – Shaun Suisham 49 Yard Field Goal (9:19)

Fourth quarter

• Steelers 20–0 – Rashard Mendenhall 1 Yard Run (Shaun Suisham Kick) (8:58)
• Steelers 27–0 – Isaac Redman 2 Yard Run (Shaun Suisham Kick) (3:14) Top passers
• STL – Kellen Clemens – 9/24, 91 Yards
• PIT – Charlie Batch – 15/22, 208 Yards, INT Top rushers
• STL – Steven Jackson – 24 Rushes, 103 Yards
• PIT – Rashard Mendenhall – 18 Rushes, 116 Yards, TD Top receivers
• STL – Brandon Lloyd – 3 Receptions, 29 Yards
• PIT – Mike Wallace – 4 Receptions, 82 Yards Top tacklers
• STL – James Laurinaitis – 7 tackles, 6 assists
• PIT – Lawrence Timmons – 7 tackles, 3 assists This game became the Steelers' 2nd shutout win of the season as the Rams dropped to 2–13.

Week 17: vs. San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• SF –
• STL – Top rushers
• SF –
• STL – Top receivers
• SF –
• STL – Top tacklers
• SF –
• STL – With the loss, the Rams finished the season at 2–14 tied with the Colts for the league's worst record.

Standings

References

1. [http://pfref.com/tiny/a3n2J Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1978 to 2012, in the regular season, sorted by ascending Points For.]
2. [http://pfref.com/tiny/bdU1t Pro-Football-Reference: In a single season, in 2011, in the regular season, sorted by ascending Points Differential]
3. [http://www.footballoutsiders.com/dvoa-ratings/2012/final-2011-dvoa-ratings Football Outsiders: Final 2011 DVOA Ratings]
4. Football Outsiders Almanac 2012 ({{ISBN. 978-1-4782-0152-6), p.216-217: "In 2011, St. Louis became the first person in [Football Outsiders' history] (1991–2011) to go from the easiest schedule one season to the hardest schedule the next."
5. (January 13, 2011). "Shurmur Named Head Coach of Cleveland Browns". therams.com.
6. (January 18, 2011). "Rams Name McDaniels Offensive Coordinator". therams.com.
7. (July 21, 2011). "NFL cancels Bears-Rams Hall of Fame Game". Chicago Bears.
8. King, Peter. (November 7, 2011). "Super deja vu for Manning, Giants in clutch win over Patriots". Sports Illustrated.