2012 St. Louis Rams 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. 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

Main article: 2012 NFL draft

;NOTES : 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. : Rams traded the 45th pick to the Bears for the 50th overall pick and the Bears 5th round pick (#150 overall) :supplemental compensatory selection

Staff

• 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 coach – Jeff Fisher
• Assistant head coach – Dave McGinnis
• Offensive coordinator – Brian Schottenheimer
• Quarterbacks – Frank Cignetti, Jr.
• Running backs – Ben Sirmans
• Wide receivers – Ray Sherman
• Tight ends – Rob Boras
• Offensive line – Paul Boudreau
• Assistant offensive line – Andy Dickerson
• Offensive quality control – Andy Sugarman
• Defensive coordinator – Gregg Williams†
• Defensive line – Mike Waufle
• Assistant defensive line – Clyde Simmons
• Linebackers – Blake Williams
• Assistant linebackers – Joe Bowden
• Defensive backs – Chuck Cecil
• Assistant defensive backs – Brandon Fisher
• Defensive quality control – Dennard Wilson
• Special teams coordinator – John Fassel
• Assistant special teams coordinator – Paul Boudreau, Jr.
• Strength and conditioning – Rock Gullickson
• Assistant strength and conditioning – Adam Bailey † – suspended for the season

(see New Orleans Saints bounty scandal)

Final roster

Schedule

Preseason

Regular season

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Detroit Lions

First quarter

• STL – Greg Zuerlein 48-yard field goal, Rams 3–0, Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards, 5:49. Second quarter
• DET – Joique Bell 1-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), Lions 7–3, Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 7:31.
• STL – Greg Zuerlein 29-yard field goal, Lions 7–6, Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 4:30.
• STL – Cortland Finnegan 31-yard interception return (Greg Zuerlein kick), Rams 13–7, Drive: 1 play, 31 yards, 0:00.
• DET – Jason Hanson 41-yard field goal, Rams 13–10, Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 1:08. Third quarter
• DET – Jason Hanson 45-yard field goal, Tied 13–13, Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 2:54. Fourth quarter
• STL – Brandon Gibson 23-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Greg Zuerlein kick), Rams 20–13, Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 2:42.
• DET – Kevin Smith 5-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), Tied 20–20, Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:26.
• STL – Greg Zuerlein 46-yard field goal, Rams 23–20, Drive: 13 plays, 52 yards, 5:24.
• DET – Kevin Smith 5-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick), Lions 27–23, Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 1:45. Top passers
• STL – Sam Bradford – 17/25, 198 yards, 1 touchdown
• DET – Matthew Stafford – 32/48, 355 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions Top rushers
• STL – Steven Jackson – 21 carries, 53 yards
• DET – Kevin Smith – 13 carries, 52 yards, 1 touchdown Top receivers
• STL – Danny Amendola – 5 receptions, 70 yards
• DET – Calvin Johnson – 6 receptions, 111 yards Top tacklers
• STL – Cortland Finnegan – 9 tackles, 1 assist, 1 interception, 1 touchdown
• DET – Justin Durant – 7 tackles, 5 assists

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

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• WAS –
• STL – Top rushers
• WAS –
• STL – Top receivers
• WAS –
• STL – Top tacklers
• WAS –
• STL – 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.

Week 3: at Chicago Bears

First quarter

• CHI – Robbie Gould 54-yd FG (CHI 3–0) Second quarter
• CHI -Michael Bush 3-yd run (CHI 10–0)
• STL – Greg Zuerlein 56-yd FG (CHI 10–3) Third quarter
• STL – Greg Zuerlein 46-yd FG (10–6) Fourth quarter
• CHI – Robbie Gould 22-yd FG (CHI 13–6)
• CHI – Major Wright 45-yd interception return (CHI 20–6)
• CHI – Robbie Gould 37-yd FG (CHI 23–6) Top passers
• STL – Sam Bradford – 18/35, 152 yds, 2 INT
• CHI – Jay Cutler – 17/31, 183 yds, 1 INT Top rushers
• STL – Steven Jackson – 11 car, 29 yds
• CHI – Michael Bush – 18 car, 55 yds, 1 TD Top receivers
• STL – Danny Amendola – 5 rec, 66 yds
• CHI – Brandon Marshall – 5 rec, 71 yds Top tacklers
• STL – James Laurinaitis – 11 tackles
• CHI – Lance Briggs – 7 tackles 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

First quarter

• SEA- Marshawn Lynch, 17-yard run, Steve Hauschka XP good 10:45 (SEA 7–0)
• STL- Greg Zuerlein 58-yard field goal 4:59 (SEA 7–3) Second quarter
• STL- Danny Amendola, 2-yard pass from John Hekker, Greg Zuerlein XP good 1:16 (STL 10–7)
• STL- Greg Zuerlein, 48-yard field goal, 0:03 (STL 13–7) Third quarter
• STL- Greg Zuerlein, 60-yard field goal, 13:46 (STL 16–7)
• SEA- Steve Hauschka, 31-yard field goal, 4:14 (STL 16–10) Fourth quarter
• SEA- Steve Hauschka, 30-yard field goal, 13:08 (STL 16–13)
• STL- Greg Zuerlein, 24-yard field goal, 6:07 (STL 19–13) Top passers
• SEA –
• STL – Top rushers
• SEA –
• STL – Top receivers
• SEA –
• STL – Top tacklers
• SEA –
• STL – With the win, the Rams improved to 2–2, And 2–0 in home games.

Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• ARI – Kevin Kolb - 28/50, 289 yards
• STL – Sam Bradford - 7/21, 141 yards, 2 TD, Int Top rushers
• ARI – Ryan Williams - 14 Rushes, 33 yards
• STL – Steven Jackson - 18 Rushes, 76 yards Top receivers
• ARI – Larry Fitzgerald - 8 rec, 92 yards
• STL – Danny Amendola - 1 rec, 44 yards Top tacklers
• ARI –
• STL – 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

First quarter

• STL- Greg Zuerlein, 48-yard field goal, 12:49 (STL 3–0) Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers
• STL –
• MIA – Top rushers
• STL –
• MIA – Top receivers
• STL –
• MIA – Top tacklers
• STL –
• MIA – 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

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• GB –
• STL – Top rushers
• GB –
• STL – Top receivers
• GB –
• STL – Top tacklers
• GB –
• STL – 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 First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• NE –
• STL – Top rushers
• NE –
• STL – Top receivers
• NE –
• STL – Top tacklers
• NE –
• STL – 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

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• STL –
• SF – Top rushers
• STL –
• SF – Top receivers
• STL –
• SF – Top tacklers
• STL –
• SF – 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

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• NYJ –
• STL – Top rushers
• NYJ –
• STL – Top receivers
• NYJ –
• STL – Top tacklers
• NYJ –
• STL – 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

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• STL –
• ARI – Top rushers
• STL –
• ARI – Top receivers
• STL –
• ARI – Top tacklers
• STL –
• ARI – 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

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 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

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• STL –
• BUF – Top rushers
• STL –
• BUF – Top receivers
• STL –
• BUF – Top tacklers
• STL –
• BUF – 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

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• MIN –
• STL – Top rushers
• MIN –
• STL – Top receivers
• MIN –
• STL – Top tacklers
• MIN –
• STL – 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

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• STL –
• TB – Top rushers
• STL –
• TB – Top receivers
• STL –
• TB – Top tacklers
• STL –
• TB –

Week 17: at Seattle Seahawks

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• STL –
• SEA – Top rushers
• STL –
• SEA – Top receivers
• STL –
• SEA – Top tacklers
• STL –
• SEA – 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

References

References

1. [http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-report/rams-fire-spagnuolo-devaney/article_499566ba-355b-11e1-a5ac-001a4bcf6878.html Rams fire Spagnuolo, Devaney], ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (Jan. 2, 2012)
2. [https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7668243/source-washington-redskins-acquire-no-2-overall-pick-st-louis-rams Redskins get No. 2 pick from Rams]
3. (2012-11-02). "Rams fined for failing to report Steven Jackson injury". [[National Football League]].