Rams Schedule Analysis
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Schedule-Analysis/0ff758a1-a0b7-4b85-819f-3600a090c8a6
Now that the schedule has been released, let’s take a look at the full slate of all 16 games in order.
Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks (12-4, 1st place NFC West) | Noon
All-time record: 12-21 | Last home matchup: Rams won 28-26 in Oct. 2014
—The Rams will open the year against a divisional opponent that has clearly been one of the best teams in football over the past few years. While the Seahawks did lose Super Bowl XLIX in dramatic fashion, they’ll have Marshawn Lynch back after re-signing him at the beginning of the offseason. On defense, free-agent cornerback Byron Maxwell signed a six-year deal with the Eagles, but Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor will lead that strong secondary once again.
In last year’s home matchup, the Rams got tricky and held on to beat Seattle, 28-26. The biggest highlight from that game was Stedman Bailey’s 90-yard punt return, during which Tavon Austin and the return team completely misdirected Seattle’s coverage.
Week 2: at Washington Redskins (4-12, 4th place NFC East) | Noon
All-time record: 11-22-1 | Last matchup: Rams won 24-0 in Dec. of ’14 (FedEx Field)
—St. Louis and Washington met in the nation’s capital last year, in what ended up being the second of consecutive shutouts. Tavon Austin was named the NFC special teams Player of the Week for returning four punts 143 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown. Also a game in which Rams got tricky, with punter Johnny Hekker and tight end Cory Harkey connecting on fake extra-point attempt for a two-point conversion. Washington still has some questions to solve at the quarterback position with Robert Griffin III, but should be better in its second year under head coach Jay Gruden.
Week 3: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5, 1st place AFC North) | Noon
All-time record: 15-7-2 | Last matchup: Steelers won 27-0 in 2011 (Heinz Field)
—After consecutive 8-8 seasons, the Steelers went 11-5 to win the AFC North in 2014. Heading a team that’s is a pillar of stability, Mike Tomlin returns for his ninth season as head coach -- as only the third Steelers HC since 1969. Ben Roethlisberger signed a five-year contract in March, keeping the franchise quarterback with the club through 2019. They also have young offensive stars like running back Le’Veon Bell, who accounted for over 2,200 yards from scrimmage, and wide receiver Antonio Brown who caught 129 passes in 2014. But Pittsburgh will have to replace longtime members of its secondary, Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor, after both players retired this offseason.
Week 4: at Arizona Cardinals (11-5, 2nd place NFC West) | 3:25
All-time record: 36-36-2 | Last road matchup: Cardinals 31-14 in Nov. 2014
—The Cardinals made the playoffs last season after finishing 11-5, good for second place in the NFC West. But their quarterback troubles probably prevented them from advancing past the Wild Card round in the playoffs. In last year’s road matchup, the Rams took a 14-10 lead into halftime. But a long touchdown pass and two costly turnovers allowed Arizona to take control of the game in the fourth quarter and go on to win 31-14. Last year’s contest saw Mark Barron record his first sack as a Ram, and Alec Ogletree make a big interception that went for a 44 yard return.
Week 5: at Green Bay Packers (12-4, 1st place NFC North) | Noon
All-time record: 45-44-2 | Last matchup: Packers won 30-20 in Oct ’12. (Edward Jones Dome)
—The Packers were one of the best teams in the NFC last season, losing the conference championship game in overtime to the Seahawks. And with Aaron Rodgers under center, this team will likely be competitive. Mike McCarthy will be in his 9th season as Green Bay’s head coach, and the team has only missed the playoffs twice in that time. The last meeting between the Rams and Packers teams was in 2012, which Green Bay won 30-20 at the Edward Jones Dome. Rodgers was sterling in that game, completing 30-37 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns.
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: vs. Cleveland Browns (7-9, 4th place AFC North) | Noon
All-time record: 10-9-0 | Last matchup: Rams won, 13-12, in 2011 (Cleveland Browns Stadium)
—Two franchises that started in Cleveland, the Rams and Browns met in the preseason last year, and this will be their 20th in-season matchup. In head coach Mike Pettine’s first year, Cleveland put up its best record since 2007 by finishing 7-9, but still finished in fourth place in the AFC North. The Browns, who will be sporting new uniforms this year, still have questions at quarterback after letting Brian Hoyer walk in free agency. Johnny Manziel was simply not good in his work as a rookie, but the team did sign free agent Josh McCown, who played for the Buccaneers last year. Cleveland does sport a strong secondary led by cornerback Joe Haden and safety Donte Whitner, but its run defense was 32nd last year.
Week 8: vs. San Francisco 49ers (8-8, 3rd place, NFC West) | Noon
All-time record: 63-64-3 | Last home matchup: 49ers won 31-17 in Oct. 2014. (MNF)
—The 49ers have made a bevy of changes, starting with their head coach. With Jim Harbaugh and the club mutually agreeing to part ways, the former head coach is now at Michigan and former defensive line coach Jim Tomsula is now at the helm. San Francisco will also have to replace middle linebacker Patrick Willis and emerging star linebacker Chris Borland, both of whom decided to retire following the 2014 season. Last year, the Rams and 49ers met on Monday Night Football at the Edward Jones Dome, and while St. Louis led 14-10 going into halftime, San Francisco outscored the Rams 21-3 in the final two quarters.
Week 9: at Minnesota Vikings (7-9, 3rd place NFC North) | Noon
All-time record: 14-20-2 | Last matchup: Vikings won 34-6 in Sept. 2014 (EJD)
—These two teams met in Week 1 of last year, when Minnesota defeated St. Louis, 34-6. The Vikings are in their second year under head coach Mike Zimmer. Teddy Bridgewater didn’t play in last year’s contest (current Bills signal-caller Matt Cassel was under center), but he did start 12 games and complied a 6-6 record last year. Bridgewater completed 64.4 percent of passes for 2,919 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The Vikings also have a young linebacker in Anthony Barr who excelled in his first season, tallying 4.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbled, and 3 fumble recoveries -- one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Week 10: vs. Chicago Bears (5-11, 4th place NFC North) | Noon
All-time record: 35-51-3. Last matchup: Rams won 42-21 in 2013 (EJD)
After a disappointing 2014, the Bears have brought in former Broncos and Panthers head coach John Fox to help right the ship. Quarterback Jay Cutler completed 66 percent of his passes and threw for over 3,800 yards and 28 touchdowns, but he also had a league-high 18 interceptions as Chicago finished 5-11 -- its worst record since 2004. But it’s not hard to imagine the Bears having a strong bounce-back year, especially given the talent that remains on offense with Cutler and running back Matt Forte. In the two teams’ last matchup, Zac Stacy, Benny Cunningham, and Tavon Austin combined for 261 yards rushing and three touchdowns, and Robert Quinn returned a fumble 31 yards for a TD.
Week 11: at Baltimore Ravens (10-6, 3rd place AFC North) | Noon
All-time record: 2-3-0 | Last matchup: Ravens won 37-7 in Sept. 2011 (EJD)
—Following their Super Bowl win in the 2012 season, the Ravens went 8-8 in 2013 before losing in the divisional round of the playoffs last year. Though they had a 10-6 record, they still finished in third place in the AFC North, which says something about the toughness of that division. John Harbaugh is back for his eighth year as Baltimore’s head coach, and the Ravens have missed the playoffs only once in his tenure. With Joe Flacco firmly entrenched at quarterback, Justin Forsett emerged as the team’s top running back last season, tallying 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. And on defense, the Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil constantly get after the passer, as they combined for 29.0 sacks last year.
Week 12: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1, 2nd place AFC North) | Noon
All-time record: 5-7-0 | Last matchup: Bengals won 20-13 in 2011 (EJD)
—The Bengals have been consistent lately in that they’ve made the playoffs the last four seasons, but have lost their Wild Card-round game each time. Marvin Lewis is back for his 13th year as the Bengals’ head coach, and will try to get the team over that hump in the difficult AFC North. Andy Dalton returns as the team’s quarterback, coming off a season in which he threw 19 touchdowns to 17 interceptions. One of his targets, A.J. Green, has emerged as one of the best wideouts in football. Despite playing only 13 games last year, he made 69 receptions for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns.
Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals (11-5, 2nd place NFC West) | Noon
All-time record: 36-36-2 | Last home matchup: Cardinals won 12-6 in Dec. 2014
—The Rams faced the Cardinals on Thursday Night Football last year. During the contest, Drew Stanton suffered a knee injury that ended his season, and Ryan Lindley had to come on in relief. While St. Louis lost 12-6, the game represented the third consecutive contest in which the Rams did not surrender a touchdown.
Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions (11-5, 2nd place NFC North) | Noon
All-time record: 42-39-1 | Last matchup: Lions won 27-23 in 2012 (Ford Field)
—The Lions made the playoffs in head coach Jim Caldwell’s first season with Detroit, as quarterback Matt Stafford threw for over 4,200 yards with 22 touchdowns. Calvin Johnson wasn’t completely healthy throughout the year, but still made 71 receptions for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games. Golden Taint proved to be a strong target for Stafford, as he tallied 99 catches for over 1,300 yards and four touchdowns. The last meeting between the two teams was at Ford Field in 2012, which Lions won 27-23 on a late Stafford 5-yard touchdown pass.
Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14, 4th place NFC South) | Thursday Night Football
All-time record: 12-8-0 | Last matchup: Rams won 19-17 in 2014 (Raymond James Stadium)
—Tampa will likely have a rookie quarterback under center for their second year under head coach Lovie Smith. The Rams and Bucs met last year in Tampa when Austin Davis led St. Louis on a key late-game drive in his first start to put the team in position for Greg Zuerlein to nail a 38-yard field goal. The Rams will also have to contend with terrific defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, and a good receiving corps with Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. St. Louis has won three straight over Tampa Bay (2012, 2013, 2014).
Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks (12-4, 1st place NFC West) | 3:25
—Last year, St. Louis led Seattle 6-0 at halftime on a pair of field goals from Greg Zuerlein. But the Seahawks’ stifling defense came through in the second half, as the home team outscored the visitors 20-0 in the final two periods. As always, the Rams will surely have to contend with a raucous crowd at CenturyLink Field.
Week 17: at San Francisco 49ers (8-8, 3rd place, NFC West) | 3:25
—The Rams beat the 49ers in their inaugural matchup at Levi’s Stadium in dramatic fashion when James Laurinaitis recovered quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s fourth-quarter fumble in the end zone, sealing the 13-10 victory. Kenny Britt had a key 21-yard touchdown reception late in the second quarter, and Greg Zuerlein nailed a 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to put St. Louis ahead for good.
