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http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_ae104f7d-16e1-5e69-ae0d-eb8851a635b5.html
With San Francisco’s 34-24 victory over Atlanta this week on Monday Night Football, the NFC West completed its season schedule against non-division foes with a stellar 30-10 record. How stellar?
Well, since the divisional realignment that took place with the arrival of the expansion Houston Texans as the NFL’s 32nd franchise, no other division has done better in one season. The ‘02 realignment created four divisions, consisting of four teams each, in both the NFC and AFC.
By finishing 20 games over .500 against non-division foes, the NFC West matched the previous high set by the AFC South in 2007, which also went 30-10 against non-division competition. Rams coach Jeff Fisher was part of the AFC South at that time as head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans finished third in the division that year, but earned a wild-card berth with a 10-6 record. Jacksonville finished second and also gained a wild-card spot at 11-5. Division winner Indianapolis finished 13-3 and cellar-dwelling Houston was a respectable 8-8.
That marked one of six times since the ‘02 realignment that a division didn’t have a single team finish with a losing record. The Rams (7-8) can make it seven times with an upset victory over Seattle (12-3) on Sunday at CenturyLink Field.
The sterling record this season by the NFC West speaks to the toughness of the division, a division that just three seasons ago had a champion with a 7-9 record (Seattle).
“It does, but again, I feel like we’re closing the gap,” Fisher said. “We’re closing the gap and I hope we’ll be able to catch the other teams. I think one of the things that you probably would discover is how teams struggle after they’ve played teams in our division the next week because they’re such physical ballgames.”
Fisher’s sentiments notwithstanding, the Rams are only 1-4 against the NFC West this season after finishing 4-1-1 against the West in 2012. But they finished 6-4 outside the division after going 3-7 last year.
INJURY UPDATE
Wide receiver/return man Tavon Austin (ankle) did not practice Wednesday but did some work on the side, providing a glimmer of hope that he may be able to play Sunday after missing the Tampa Bay and New Orleans games.
Defensive end Chris Long (thigh) did not practice Wednesday; running back Daryl Richardson (thigh) was limited.
ROSTER MOVES
Left tackle Jake Long, who suffered ligament damage to his right knee last Sunday against Tampa Bay, has been placed on the injured reserve list. The Rams filled his spot by promoting defensive end Sammy Brown to the active roster from the practice squad.
Brown, who joined the team in 2012 as an undrafted rookie out of Houston, has spent the entire 2013 season on the practice squad until now. He spent most of 2012 on the practice squad as well, but after a late-season promotion appeared in seven plays on special teams in the Rams’ 16-13 overtime victory against San Francisco.
To fill Brown’s spot on the practice squad, the Rams signed speedy wide receiver Harry Adams, formerly of Auburn. Adams worked out for Green Bay earlier this month.
WORKING HOLIDAY
The Rams pushed back practice until 4 p.m. on Christmas, about four hours later than usual, but with a game to be played this Sunday, there’s still work to be done.
“The guys were great,” Fisher said after Wednesday’s practice. “We grabbed about an hour and a half, two hours of their time (Tuesday) just to put Tampa Bay stuff behind us. Then let them spend (Christmas) morning with Santa Claus and everything. It was good. They came in around noon, we had a meal, and we’re good to go. Into the prep week.”
Making room for family time on Christmas is important Fisher said, even in a game week.
“It’s important for the organization,” he said. “The coaches and players with youngsters, I think it’s really important. So, we made sure that they were at home (Tuesday) evening in plenty of time, let them sleep in, and do what they want. Those with kids probably didn’t get much sleep, but it was good.”
With San Francisco’s 34-24 victory over Atlanta this week on Monday Night Football, the NFC West completed its season schedule against non-division foes with a stellar 30-10 record. How stellar?
Well, since the divisional realignment that took place with the arrival of the expansion Houston Texans as the NFL’s 32nd franchise, no other division has done better in one season. The ‘02 realignment created four divisions, consisting of four teams each, in both the NFC and AFC.
By finishing 20 games over .500 against non-division foes, the NFC West matched the previous high set by the AFC South in 2007, which also went 30-10 against non-division competition. Rams coach Jeff Fisher was part of the AFC South at that time as head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans finished third in the division that year, but earned a wild-card berth with a 10-6 record. Jacksonville finished second and also gained a wild-card spot at 11-5. Division winner Indianapolis finished 13-3 and cellar-dwelling Houston was a respectable 8-8.
That marked one of six times since the ‘02 realignment that a division didn’t have a single team finish with a losing record. The Rams (7-8) can make it seven times with an upset victory over Seattle (12-3) on Sunday at CenturyLink Field.
The sterling record this season by the NFC West speaks to the toughness of the division, a division that just three seasons ago had a champion with a 7-9 record (Seattle).
“It does, but again, I feel like we’re closing the gap,” Fisher said. “We’re closing the gap and I hope we’ll be able to catch the other teams. I think one of the things that you probably would discover is how teams struggle after they’ve played teams in our division the next week because they’re such physical ballgames.”
Fisher’s sentiments notwithstanding, the Rams are only 1-4 against the NFC West this season after finishing 4-1-1 against the West in 2012. But they finished 6-4 outside the division after going 3-7 last year.
INJURY UPDATE
Wide receiver/return man Tavon Austin (ankle) did not practice Wednesday but did some work on the side, providing a glimmer of hope that he may be able to play Sunday after missing the Tampa Bay and New Orleans games.
Defensive end Chris Long (thigh) did not practice Wednesday; running back Daryl Richardson (thigh) was limited.
ROSTER MOVES
Left tackle Jake Long, who suffered ligament damage to his right knee last Sunday against Tampa Bay, has been placed on the injured reserve list. The Rams filled his spot by promoting defensive end Sammy Brown to the active roster from the practice squad.
Brown, who joined the team in 2012 as an undrafted rookie out of Houston, has spent the entire 2013 season on the practice squad until now. He spent most of 2012 on the practice squad as well, but after a late-season promotion appeared in seven plays on special teams in the Rams’ 16-13 overtime victory against San Francisco.
To fill Brown’s spot on the practice squad, the Rams signed speedy wide receiver Harry Adams, formerly of Auburn. Adams worked out for Green Bay earlier this month.
WORKING HOLIDAY
The Rams pushed back practice until 4 p.m. on Christmas, about four hours later than usual, but with a game to be played this Sunday, there’s still work to be done.
“The guys were great,” Fisher said after Wednesday’s practice. “We grabbed about an hour and a half, two hours of their time (Tuesday) just to put Tampa Bay stuff behind us. Then let them spend (Christmas) morning with Santa Claus and everything. It was good. They came in around noon, we had a meal, and we’re good to go. Into the prep week.”
Making room for family time on Christmas is important Fisher said, even in a game week.
“It’s important for the organization,” he said. “The coaches and players with youngsters, I think it’s really important. So, we made sure that they were at home (Tuesday) evening in plenty of time, let them sleep in, and do what they want. Those with kids probably didn’t get much sleep, but it was good.”
