My 10 favorite Rams games the last 25 years.

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PARAM

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Honorable mention:
Week 18, 2023. I know. We already had the postseason berth. But Wentz beating the niners was a thing of beauty and anytime the Rams beat them, it has to be measured as one of the top games in memory. :biggrin:

#10b. Week 14, 2022. I know, WTF? In a 5-12 season? I only rank this game in the top 10 because it gave a longtime fan 1 thing to cheer about in an otherwise wasted season. You all know what happened. Baker Mayfield & Sean McVay. Plus probably the best catch/non-drop by Van Jefferson in his career.

10a. SB14. I know, it was longer than 25 years ago but it was our first Superbowl. So sue me! We gave the Steelers all they could handle. But we were overmatched in the end by a team that had won 3 of the last 5 Superbowls. Nothing to be ashamed of to be sure. But a team's first Superbowl, be it a loss or not, has to be ranked up there....provided it's not a game in which you only score 3 points after averaging 28.3 PPG on the year.

#9. Wild Card Week, 2000. WTF, another loss? Work with me here!! The Saints, like Tampa always seemed to play TGSOT tough. We had to beat them in the final week to qualify for the post season and then came right back to Marshall's hometown to meet them in the Wild Card Game. Though this was a loss and a deserved loss, it also showed the capacity for TGSOT to come back quickly from practically any deficit (much like SB36 the next year). It was deserved because we played sloppy until the 4th quarter (like SB36). Down 31-7 with just 12 minutes left in the game, any other team would be packing up the equipment. But this was one helluva comeback attempt. IIRC, this was the game Money executed two successful onside kicks on back to back plays. The first was recovered by the Rams but a penalty nullified it. Then he did it again and Dre Bly recovered. I thought Haslet was going to have a stroke!!! We know what happened. The Rams drove down scored the TD and got the 2 pt conversion to get within 3, then forced a punt that was fumbled by Az Hakim to put a fork in the Rams. Still as inspirational a comeback as you'll ever see, albeit not all the way.

#8. CCG in 2018. Rams at the Saints. The only thing better than an overtime win is an overtime win in the postseason. And the only thing better than an overtime win in the playoffs is an OT win in the playoffs vs Asshole Face. In a game remembered for an uncalled penalty, it's easy to forget the other uncalled penalties like a facemask on Goff in the red zone and roughing the passer against Goff late in the 3rd quarter. But it was one of the grittiest games JG played in his career with the Rams. And it got us to the Superbowl for the first time in 17 years. I will remember a lot of things from this game but the play JG made under pressure to get the ball to Higbee in OT was fantastic. This game should have propelled the Rams to a SB win but it didn't. It's still one of my top 10 (or 12) Rams games the last 25 years.

#7. CCG in 2021. Philadelphia at the Rams. The season started in Philadelphia with the Rams winning 20-17 in OT. McNabb fumbled on the first play of the game and the Rams recovered, then took it in for a TD. In the CCG, McNabb fumbled on the 2nd play of the game and Warner hit Ike for a 5 yd TD. Later in the first half Wilkins hit a FG, his 2nd and the Rams took a 13-10 lead but Philly drove down for a score making it 17-13. After a failed drive by the Rams the half ended that way. In the second half, after only 8 rushing attempts the first 30 minutes by Marshall (69 yds), Martz decided to go to the ground game. He called Marshall's number 7 straight times and 8 of the first 9 and the Rams got to the Philly 23 but had to settle for a FG. The defense forced a 3 and out with a nice tackle by Aeneas and the Rams went to work. Pass, run, pass, pass, pass, run, pass, run, run, run, the last one a 1 yard TD. (Marshall touched the ball 14 of the 20 plays to start the 2nd half, 13 runs, 1 rec.). They missed the 2 pt conversion and led 22-17. Two more 3 and outs by Philly, the second starting with a Wistrom sack for -10, gave the Rams the ball on their own 44 and on a 7 play drive, 6 Marshall touches (5 runs and a rec), a reception by Conwell and the Rams had a 29-17 lead with 7 minutes left. The next Philly drive started with a 7 yard sack by Leonard Little but McNabb drove them down for a score with 3 minutes and change left (29-24 Rams). Having all their timeouts, they kicked deep and held the Rams to a 3 and out but Aeneas picked off McNabb at the Rams 34 to send them to SB36.

#6. Week 3, 2021. The 2-0 Dolphins, who would go on the finish 11-5 visit the 2-0 Rams. TGSOT was at the height of it's MaxQ self. But Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain were confident CBs. One of them (Madison IIRC) said, "greatest show on turf....really? Well they play indoors so when we get there just lock the doors and we'll see what happens". Well what happened is Warner carved them up, early and often. 24 of 31 for 328 yards, 4 TDs. Warner hit Proehl for a TD, 6 minutes into the game and the Dolphins answered with a TD pass, Fiedler to McKnight. With the score tied at 7, Miami got to the Rams 6 but London Fletcher sacked Fiedler, who fumbled and Dexter McCleon recovered at the Rams 30. The Rams drove down, scoring on a Warner to Faulk TD. Miami kicked a FG but the backbreaker to this ass whippin came on the ensuing drive at the end of the first half. The Rams took the kickoff and drove down into the red zone. Marshall was stopped 1 yard short of the end zone from the 7 and Martz decided to go for the TD instead of a FG on 4th and goal from the 1. Faulk hit Marshall out of the backfield for the TD and it was all downhill for Miami after that. The highlight of the 2nd half (17 points) was Warner hitting Big Game with a 45 yard TD inches over the DBs hands, making it 35-10. I'll bet about that time Madison was hoping the doors weren't locked. Trung Canidate ran 9 yards for the final TD. 42-10 Rams.

#5. Week 11, 2018. MNF Kansas City at the Rams. A game that was supposed to be played in Mexico City gets moved to SoCal in the midst of the wildfires. No offense to those who lost their worldly possessions or more devastating, their lives, but the Rams and Jared Goff were on fire in this game. You all know what happened. Goff looked like the best version of Kurt Warner and Matt Stafford combined and we saw the highest scoring game in MNF history. Against the best QB in the NFL (now). What a game for the ages.

#4. Week 15, 2017. The 9-4 Rams visit the 8-5 Seahawks with the division hanging in the balance. After 2 Greg Z field goals in the first quarter, the Rams took over. Pharoh Cooper returned a punt 53 yards to the Seattle 1 and Gurley went in for a TD. Two failed Seahawk possessions later, Cooper takes another punt 26 yards to the Seattle 36 and the Rams drive in another TD by Gurley. Two plays into the next possession, Robert Quinn strip-sacks Wilson (sacked 7 times on the day) and Morgan Fox recovers at the Seattle 39. Goff hits Woods for another TD. During the next possession, Wilson looks stunned and while trying to avoid a 16 yard Donald sack, throws the ball backwards another 7 yards out of bounds for a 23 yard loss. On third and 25 Wilson gets penalized for illegal forward pass and Cooper returns a punt 26 yards again. On third and 20, Gurley takes it 57 yards to the house and the lead is 34-0 at the half. The rest is a blur as the euphoria had taken over but I do know we were soon up 40-0. Gotta be the most devastating loss at home for Seattle. And after their first score of the day (with 1:23 left in the 3rd) just for shits and giggles, Wilson gets flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone and it's 42-7. If not for the SF 1999 game, this would be my #3.

#3. Week 5, 1999. The 3-1 niners, winners of 17 straight vs the Rams, visit the 3-0 Rams in St. Louis. Ike catches 3 of his 4 TD receptions in the first half and the Rams take a 28-17 halftime lead. Marred only by a strip sack of Warner by Junior Bryant for a TD just before halftime, it was a dominant performance. And just when the niners closed it to 28-20 with a FG, Tony Horne took the ensuing kickoff 97 yards to the house to put the Rams up 15. SF never scored again and Ike caught the 4th of his TD passes on the next drive to go up 42-20. Warner ended the game 20 of 23 for 323 yards (14.0 yds/att) with 5 TDs and Ike had 5 catches (4 TDs) for 134 yards.

#2. Superbowl 34. Come on. After all those years of hanging onto a 31-19 loss to the Steelers as the pinnacle for the Rams, that game made the wait worthwhile. Only 1 game can trump this one.

#1. Superbowl 56. A great game and despite getting out to a 14-3 lead a great comeback. It's not often that a dominant team has to come back but we did. Dominated early and came back late. As satisfying a win as I've ever seen. No game can trump this one.
 
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fanotodd

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I have to say, especially after rewatching it again this last week, beating the 9ers in the NFCCG almost makes SB 56 anticlimactic.
…almost.

You did, however, pick that beat down vs the 9ers that started the GSOT. I still have the local newspapers from that game—
The San Jose Mercury news and the SF Chronicle.
 

bubbaramfan

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One of my favorites, Rams beat down of the Seahawks in theKingdome holding them to minus yards for the whole game.
 

TK42-RAM

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1. Superbowl 34
2. Superbowl 56
3. NFC Championship 2021
4. Week 5 1999
5. Week 11 2018
6. NFC Championship 2018
7. NFC Championship 1999
8. NFC Divisional 2021
9. Week 8 2011
10. NFC Divisional 2001
 

Angry Ram

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No particular order...

2004 WC game vs Seattle

2003 OT win vs. Jets to get into playoffs

SB 56

2021 NFCCG

2021 Divisional

SB 34

2014 vs. Denver (the game that broke Peyton Manning)

2018 vs. Chiefs

2017 vs. Seattle (beatdown)

2023 vs. Colts
 

PARAM

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  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6
I have to say, especially after rewatching it again this last week, beating the 9ers in the NFCCG almost makes SB 56 anticlimactic.
…almost.

You did, however, pick that beat down vs the 9ers that started the GSOT. I still have the local newspapers from that game—
The San Jose Mercury news and the SF Chronicle.
Oh what an egregious error on my part!! Especially since I'm like most other morons with a top 10 list with the "a's" and "b's", I had room for the 2021 CCG and didn't list it. A Championship Game AND a niner game. Let's put that one at #3 b!!!
 

kmramsfan

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One of my favorites, Rams beat down of the Seahawks in theKingdome holding them to minus yards for the whole game.
That's about as safe of a record as any. I can't envision another NFL offense getting -7 total yards in a game.
Ever.
:helmet::shitlogo::cheers2:
 

PARAM

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  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8
That's about as safe of a record as any. I can't envision another NFL offense getting -7 total yards in a game.
Ever.
:helmet::shitlogo::cheers2:
True. But have you seen any Patriot games this year? Some pretty lethargic numbers on offense. 119 yards, 156 yds, 160 yards and I think one other gem. If Belichick had stuck around, they might have come closer. With the rules heavily favoring offense, it's quite probable no team will ever amass negative yards again. Did my best and succeeded in not saying never.

Was Largent on that team or was it before his time?
 

XXXIVwin

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I'd almost be more interested in a "top 20" list because most of us would have a pretty similar "top 10" list.

A few other games that would make my top 20:

Divisional win vs Vikings in 99: America finally saw what we'd been watching all season.

Stomping the Chargers in 2000: GSOT racks up 57 in a "wow" statement game.

Lansford FG over Saints puts Rams in playoffs in 1983. (I ran screaming into my front yard after that kick)

Flipper runs out of the Meadowlands in 1989

Flipper gets the record vs Saints

Dickerson defeats Dallas

Opening day victory over Colts in 2017: I knew that day that McVay would rescue us from our despair.
 

Classic Rams

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So many favorites to mention just 10. I'd have to take some of those more recent ones out of other lists here and bring in the old schools. Some of these may not be on the younger whippersnappers' radar, or anyone else for that matter. All I can say is the impact they made on me was immense joy and relief at the time.

The 2 Super Bowl wins of course are on my list. Plus both NFCCG wins vs the Saints (2018) and the whiners (2021).

The 1999 42-20 ass-kicking win over the whiners also gets the nod.

Dickerson's record setting game vs the Cowboys 20-0 in 1985 also makes it.

So that's 6.

But then I go back into history a little more.

1977 MNF Rams 35 Vikings 3. The year after losing the NFCCG with that damn lucky blocked kick right into the hands of Bryant for a TD run. The following MNF win over them had redemption all over it. I was high as a kite all week after and no Viking fan could say sh*t.

1978 playoff 38-10 win over the hated Vikings that retired Tarkenton.
1979 playoff 21-19 win over the hated Cowboys (1979) that retired Staubach.

~1979 - I didn't actually watch the record -7 yards game vs Seattle so not putting it in my list. Just saw the sports page and went "wow!" It was unbelievable.

1989-90 playoff game w/the Flipper catch to win it.

There are just too many favorites for me to list just 10. Some of the ones mentioned in the thread definitely go into my top 20 favorites that I saw at the time.

2021 playoff 30-27 win over Bucs
1989 21-7 playoff win knocking the Eagles and big mouth Buddy out was so sweet.
1983 wins vs Saints 26-24 to get into playoffs... and Cowboys 24-17 in playoffs
1985 MNF 27-20 vs defending chump whiners
1988 SNF 38-16 thrashing of the whiners
2018 playoff 30-22 win over Cowboys
1999 playoff thrashing 49-37 over Vikings
1979 NFCCG 9-0 win over Bucs
1976 playoff 14-12 win vs Cowboys to avenge the 37-7 playoff loss the prev year
1976 vs Vikings OT 10-10 tie. Hate ties but that game was one of the greats and a favorite during my 1st full season w/Rams.
1978 reg season 27-14 win over defending chump Cowboys was a lot of fun. Any win over a 70's Cowboys or Vikings team was huge!
1980 MNF Rams 38 Cowboys 14 was another one where I cheered like a crazy man.
2021 34-11 playoff win over Cards. Stafford's first playoff win was both fun and a huge relief.

Would love to add the 1975 playoff game vs Cards with that Youngblood TD but I was not completely on board and don't remember the game back then. My dad surely had the game on since he was always a football watcher. I do remember watching the Cowboys-Vikings hail mary game with him during same playoffs. Maybe I was outside playing during the Rams game; or reading a comic book... or 5.

For non-Ram games I have a list of all-time favorite games where the whiners get their sorry asses kicked in the post season. 1986 Jim Burt blasts Montana and Giants 49-burger their asses; 1987 Vikings 36-24 upset; the last 4 years of whiner misery.
 
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RhodyRams

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hate to be "that guy" but @PA Ram might want to check the dates of #6 and 7
 

kmramsfan

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True. But have you seen any Patriot games this year? Some pretty lethargic numbers on offense. 119 yards, 156 yds, 160 yards and I think one other gem. If Belichick had stuck around, they might have come closer. With the rules heavily favoring offense, it's quite probable no team will ever amass negative yards again. Did my best and succeeded in not saying never.

Was Largent on that team or was it before his time?
Yes he was. I looked it up and the 2 passes caught for the game were to Largent in 1979
 

Memento

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The Thordaddy game, in honor of our very own Thordaddy, who passed from leukemia, where we beat the Seahags in our home opener with Nick Foles.

Yes, there's a lot of Super Bowl games, a lot of playoff games, a lot of games with playoff implications, a lot of games with records, but I picked this one as my favorite because of sheer sentimentality.
 

AZRams

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That's about as safe of a record as any. I can't envision another NFL offense getting -7 total yards in a game.
Ever.
:helmet::shitlogo::cheers2:
Not under anything even remotely resembling today's rules, hell no...