Plays that Shaped the Rams' Season

[Selassie I]

Plays that shaped the Rams' season No. 10: Allowing Zach Miller's long TD
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...rams-season-no-10-zach-millers-long-touchdown

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In what would soon become the Rams’ final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.

The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those evened out to another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.

Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.


Here’s No. 10:

Game: vs. Chicago, Week 10

Date: Nov. 15, 2015

The play: After jumping to a 7-0 lead against the Bears, the Rams defense quickly gave it back as quarterback Jay Cutler hit tight end Zach Miller on a short out pass. Miller made linebacker Akeem Ayers miss and darted into the open field as Rams defenders pursued him. None of those pursuers was able to bring Miller down and he raced 87 yards for a touchdown. Miller's score was one of two 80-plus-yard touchdowns the Rams allowed on the day, a surprising result for a defense that had previously limited big plays as well as any in the league. The Bears would go on to outscore the Rams 30-6 after the play on the way to a 37-13 rout.

Why it mattered: The Rams returned to the Edward Jones Dome to face the Bears a week after a disappointing overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings. At 4-4, this was a game that had the potential to send the Rams' season in one of two directions. A win and the Rams could be back on track. A loss could send the Rams on a spiral. As it turned out, it was the latter. The loss to the Bears was the Rams' second in a row in what became a five-game losing streak that would eventually knock them out of the playoff picture.

They said it: "I mean, we're a good tackling defense, but for whatever reason today that didn't show up," linebacker James Laurinaitis said.

 

[LACHAMP46]

Oh the pain.....

No matter, the Green Bay game changed the season for me...

 

[Mojo Ram]

Why it mattered: The Rams returned to the Edward Jones Dome to face the Bears a week after a disappointing overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings. At 4-4, this was a game that had the potential to send the Rams' season in one of two directions. A win and the Rams could be back on track. A loss could send the Rams on a spiral.

Bingo

 

[LesBaker]

I call bullshit.

Losing the game wasn't the problem and didn't send the team into a spiral, it was the OL/QB.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

Something weird happened that game. When your d let's a te score a 90 yard td something fucked up is happening.

.

 

[RamBill]

Plays that shaped Rams' season No. 9: Todd Gurley gets loose
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...d-the-rams-season-no-9-todd-gurley-gets-loose

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In what would soon become the St. Louis Rams' final season in the city, the results were predictable in 2015.

The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.

Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.

Here’s No. 9:

Game: vs. San Francisco, Week 8

Date: Nov. 1, 2015

The play: By the time the Niners visited the Edward Jones Dome, Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley was in the midst of his announcement to the league that he had all the tools to be the dominant back the Rams drafted him to be when they selected him at No. 10. Gurley had some big games against Cleveland and Arizona, but he hadn't yet broken a long run for a touchdown. Early in the second quarter of a game the Rams trailed 3-2, Rams quarterback Nick Foles handed the ball to Gurley on first down at the Rams' 29. Gurley burst through a huge hole in the middle of the line and raced untouched for a 71-yard touchdown that would prove to be the winning points. It was the longest touchdown run of Gurley's young career and pushed him to become the most prolific rusher over his first four NFL starts since the AFL/NFL merger.

Why it mattered: The reality of this play is that Gurley didn't have to do a whole lot of work to make it happen. He didn't make anyone miss or break tackles. But this was really the first chance to see Gurley's speed at full throttle, his first chance to really let it go in the open field and show how well he had recovered from the torn ACL that kept him out of the first couple of games of his career. And Gurley outran the entire San Francisco defense with relative ease. There weren't many bright spots for the Rams in 2015. but Gurley was one of them and this play offered perhaps the strongest statement of hope that he can be a focal point for the team well into the future. Taking it even further, Gurley should only be better and faster with every year that passes since his ACL injury. Which means that even though he ran away from San Francisco's entire defense in 2015, he might still have another gear he can show in the future.

They said it: “I keep bringing up that ‘S’ word, which is special,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. "I’ve been saying that he’s special. Again, credit him to get to this point and credit the guys around him ... he’s obviously getting a lot of people’s attention.”

 

[RamBill]

Plays that shaped the Rams' season No. 8: A fitting farewell
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...hat-shaped-the-season-no-8-a-fitting-farewell

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In what would soon become the Rams’ final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.

The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.

Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.

Here’s No. 8:

Game: vs. Tampa Bay, Week 15

Date: Dec. 17. 2015

The play: We're going to take a little bit of liberty here and expand this to multiple plays because they were somewhat unexpected. After struggling offensively all season long, the Rams finally seemed to find some traction in the first half of a 31-23 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That included a 17-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum to Tavon Austin, Todd Gurley's 3-yard touchdown run, Kenny Britt's 60-yard touchdown catch and Austin's 21-yard touchdown run. Those four touchdowns came within the first two-and-a-half quarters for a team that struggled to score four touchdowns in back-to-back games, let alone in less than three full quarters.

Why it mattered: Beating Tampa Bay in a late-season Thursday night game certainly didn't mean much for the Rams in 2015. It gave them a second consecutive win and kept their hopes of a .500 season alive, but that was about all there was. But this was something a little bigger in this sense: It was the Rams' last home game of the year and, as it turned out, the final home game the Rams would play in St. Louis. That wasn't lost on the fans who showed up that night hoping to get one final positive memory about a team that didn't offer many in its time in the city. It was somewhat fitting that the Rams used an offensive outburst to send those fans home happy one more time since it was a high-octane offense that offered the bulk of whatever happy memories those fans had. The relocation discussion lurked in the shadows throughout the season, so hitting on some moments in the team's final home game is only a natural connection.

They said it: “I don’t know what the fans are thinking, but obviously, the fans tonight were incredible -- chanting and yelling and being loud when the defense needed them to be loud," Keenum said. "It was a great atmosphere tonight. I think it was a great atmosphere for the nation to watch and see. I think it was a good football game. Those guys played hard. They fought to the end and our crowd was in it till the end. It was a lot of fun out there. Tonight, I think it was a great football game.”

 

[RamBill]

Plays that shaped the Rams' season No. 7: Blocked field goal finishes it
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...n-no-7-blocked-field-goal-finishes-the-season

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In what would soon become the Rams’ final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.

The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.

Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.

Here’s No. 7:

Game: at San Francisco, Week 17

Date: Jan. 3, 2016

The play: With five minutes to go in overtime of the season finale against the 49ers, the Rams and kicker Greg Zuerlein were one 48-yard field goal away from winning the game and getting to 8-8 for the first time since 2006. Instead, for the third time in the 2015 season, Zuerlein had his kick blocked. It was the end to a miserable season for Zuerlein, who finished last among qualified kickers in field goal percentage after he converted just two-thirds of his attempts. San Francisco got the ball at its 26 and promptly drove into Rams territory, where kicker Phil Dawson made a 23-yard field goal to send the Rams home with a loss.

Why it mattered: For Zuerlein, it could have been the final kick of his tenure with the Rams as coach Jeff Fisher said one day later that the team intends to bring in competition for Zuerlein in the offseason. And that's assuming the team re-signs him as an unrestricted free agent. But there were more far-reaching implications of this loss. With the defeat, the Rams dropped to 7-9 on the season, ensuring that they would hold the NFL's longest streak of losing seasons by extending it to nine. The Rams have not had a winning season since 2003. Had the Rams reached 8-8, they would have at least had some sort of progress, small as it might have been, to show in the record books. Instead, they got more of the same with their third seven-win season out of four total years under Fisher's leadership.

They said it: "Any time you don't go up and convert and do your job, you're not going to be happy about it," Zuerlein said. "Just because of the situation, I don't think it makes it any more or less significant."

 

[RamBill]

Plays that shaped the Rams' season No. 6: Season-opening hope
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...aped-the-rams-season-no-6-season-opening-hope


EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In what would soon become the Rams’ final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.

The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.

Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.

Here’s No. 6:

Game: vs. Seattle, Week 1

Date: Sept. 13, 2015

The play: To get to overtime in the season opener, the Rams and Seahawks traded a series of blows over the first four quarters. Electrifying punt returners Tyler Lockett and Tavon Austin each scored a touchdown on a punt and the Rams jumped out to a surprising 24-13 lead before Seattle surged to a 31-24 lead. The Rams tied it again late in the fourth quarter on a 37-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nick Foles to tight end Lance Kendricks. After 60 minutes, no winner had been decided. After a bizarre failed pooch kick gave the Rams prime field position to start overtime, they kicked a field goal to take a three-point lead, followed by Seattle's chance with the ball. As the Seahawks marched down the field, they found themselves facing a fourth-and-1 at the Rams' 42. Instead of throwing it, Seattle dialed running back Marshawn Lynch's number. But before Lynch ever got rolling, defensive tackles Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald converged on him to drop him for a loss. It was a walk-off stop for the Rams, giving them a 34-31 upset victory.

Why it mattered: For one fleeting week, the Rams offered genuine hope. The win against the then-two-time defending NFC champions, led by a big performance from Foles and a ferocious defense, provided some optimism that the Rams just might finally be turning the corner. Of course, many recognized that the Rams had big wins against teams like Seattle before under coach Jeff Fisher and wanted to wait to see how the season would play out before making postseason plans. It would later turn out to be more fool's gold as the Rams continued to play well in the NFC West division but not enjoy much success against much of anyone else. Beyond that, the final tackle was a reminder of just how bright the future is for Donald. He had a huge game against the Seahawks and though Brockers deserved as much or more credit for the final tackle, it was just one of many big plays for Donald on the season.

They said it: "The guys got on a roll, we kind of got our energy and the guys are feeling great," defensive end Robert Quinn said. "So once we started getting back there, we just try to stay consistent. ‘A.D.’ started it off and after that, guys just tried to follow him. We’ve got a special guy in 99 so I guess we just need to follow his lead.”

 

[RamBill]

Plays that shaped the Rams season No. 5: Nick Foles' rough day
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...ped-the-rams-season-no-5-nick-foles-rough-day

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In what would soon become the Rams' final season in St. Louis, the 2015 season results were predictable.

The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.

Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.

Here’s No. 5:

Date: Oct. 11, 2015

The play: Midway through the first quarter, the Rams trailed the Packers 7-0 but had pieced together a drive that took them to Green Bay's 33. On second-and-9, quarterback Nick Foles dropped back to pass but was quickly surrounded by Packers defenders, as linebackers Clay Matthews and Nick Perry brought him down for a sack. Matthews, in particular, hit Foles with plenty of force on a play that Fisher said should have been a penalty on Matthews for using the crown of his helmet. No flag was thrown, and the Rams' drive stalled before a punt. Foles wasn't the same the rest of the game, going on to throw four interceptions after throwing just one in the first four games combined. The Rams lost 24-10 in a game that was there for the taking.

Why it mattered: Not only was Foles unable to bounce back in the game against Green Bay, he never really seemed to be the same after that. He started the first two games after the bye -- both Rams wins -- and then the two losses that followed but threw just one touchdown pass in those four games. Fisher benched Foles after a 37-13 loss to Chicago in favor of Case Keenum. The loss to Green Bay wasn't the end of the world, but it was another reminder that below-average quarterback play is a quick path to a loss in the NFL. It was also the beginning of the end for Foles in 2015. He started two more games because of a concussion to Keenum but showed that he isn't the team's long-term answer at the position. That means that the Rams are still seeking a solution at the game's most important position once again, even though the Rams signed Foles to a contract extension before he took a snap with the team.

They said it: "Clay hit him with the crown of his helmet, right in the chest," Fisher said. "It goes back to the referee [Brad Allen] is the one who's going to make that call, and he doesn't see the front of the quarterback. He's (positioned) to the throwing hand.

"So Brad couldn't see it. I clearly think it was roughing because of the crown of the helmet to the chest. But from his perspective, he couldn't see the contact. It was kind of one of those things that happens. Sometimes you get those calls. Sometimes they're right, and sometimes they're wrong."

 

[RamBill]

Plays that shaped the Rams' season No. 4: Todd Gurley goes down
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...ed-the-rams-season-no-4-todd-gurley-goes-down

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In what would soon become the Rams' final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.

The Rams had their ups, they had their downs, and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.

Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.


Here’s No. 4:

Game: at Arizona, week 4

Date: Oct. 4, 2015

The play: Making his first NFL start, Rams running back Todd Gurley struggled to find room to run in the first half against the Cardinals. But Gurley and the Rams finally got it rolling in the second half as Gurley broke off runs of 23, 12, 12 and 52 yards in the second half. Gurley's breakthrough helped the Rams surge to a 24-15 lead in the fourth quarter. After Arizona scored to make it 24-22, the Rams and Cardinals traded punts before the Rams got it back with 1:44 to go. Gurley got three straight carries covering 18 yards before facing a third-and-12 at Arizona's 38. There, Gurley took a handoff, broke to the left and darted past flailing Arizona defenders. As Gurley appeared on his way to his first NFL touchdown, he suddenly fell down, giving himself up at Arizona's 8. Gurley could have scored the touchdown and it likely would have put the game away, but falling down guaranteed the game was over and that the Rams would emerge as 24-22 victors.

Why it mattered: The win moved the Rams to 2-2 on the season and helped them bounce back from a disappointing pair of losses to Washington and Pittsburgh the previous two weeks. By the end of the season, it would turn out to be one of the Rams' two best victories of the year and help spur them to a 4-2 record in the NFC West division. While the Cardinals would exact a measure of revenge with a blowout win in St. Louis late in the season, the first matchup was still one of the Rams' best moments of the season. On a more macro level, it was Gurley's breakthrough performance as he rushed for 146 yards on 19 carries. That effort spurred Gurley to the best four-game stretch by a rookie runner in NFL history. But more than just a productive day, it also showed in Gurley a maturity beyond his years that should serve him and the Rams well long into the future.

They said it: "That was a veteran move right there, especially being it possibly his first touchdown on a run like that, in a situation like that," quarterback Nick Foles said. "It shows you that he is a team guy first and that is what you want. You want a guy who is a team guy first. He shows that each and every day."

 

[RamBill]

Plays that shaped the Rams season No. 3: A costly drop
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...hat-shaped-the-rams-season-no-3-a-costly-drop

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In what would soon become the Rams' final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.

The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.

Over the next week, we'll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams' 7-9 finish this season.

Here's No. 3:

Game: vs. Pittsburgh, Week 3

Date: Sept. 27, 2015

The play: With the Rams trailing 9-3 in the third quarter, any sort of touchdown and an extra point would have given them the lead and a chance to come away with an upset to get to 2-1 on the season. Points were difficult to come by for both teams, but if the Rams could have just mustered one trip to the end zone, it might have been enough to get the job done. The Rams finally found a golden opportunity with 12:20 left in the third quarter. On first-and-10 at Pittsburgh's 46, quarterback Nick Foles dropped back and let loose a deep pass that traveled nearly 30 yards down the sideline intended for tight end Lance Kendricks. It was a play similar to the one Kendricks caught for a touchdown in the season opener against Seattle. Alas, Kendricks couldn't pull it in as the ball bounced off his facemask and fell to the ground harmlessly. Foles took a sack on the next play and the Rams punted two plays later on their way to a frustrating 12-6 loss.

Why it mattered: As many expected entering the season, the Rams offense was the team's weakness. But it was hard to see just how much of a soft spot it would be for a large chunk of the season. After starting the year with a 34-point outburst against Seattle, the Rams scored only 10 points in a loss to Washington in Week 2 and only 6 in the loss to Pittsburgh. The offensive blues became a familiar refrain throughout the season with drops like Kendricks' becoming a common occurrence among the team's pass catchers. Of course, that was just one of the many issues that kept the Rams offense from having any sort of consistency. For Kendricks, it was later revealed that he was playing with a finger injury that required surgery over the bye week.

They said it: "I saw the ball go up, I just lost it in the light," Kendricks said. "I couldn't see it coming down at all. It's tough because those are the plays we've got to make to win the game. But if I could take that back, I would catch it 100 times over. I just lost it in the light. It's hard to keep track of it when the ball was high in the air but I've still got to come down with it.

"I saw it go up and then I couldn't see it coming down at all. Once it hit me, then I saw it obviously. That's why it kind of hit me in the facemask because I couldn't see it. But no excuses. I've still got to find a way to catch it."

 

[RamBill]

Plays that shaped the Rams season No. 2: Case Keenum's concussion
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...-the-rams-season-no-2-case-keenums-concussion

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In what would soon become the Rams' final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.

The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.

Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.

Here’s No. 2:

Game: at Baltimore, week 11

Date: Nov. 22, 2015

The play: With 1:10 to go in a game tied at 13, the Rams had a second-and-10 at Baltimore's 41. After Ravens pass rusher Elvis Dumervil jumped offsides, quarterback Case Keenum took a big hit from Ravens defensive lineman Timmy Jernigan as he let go of a pass. Keenum's head snapped back into the ground as he fell. He wobbled to his feet, only to be greeted by head athletic trainer Reggie Scott, who briefly asked Keenum how he felt before officials asked him to leave the field so they could enforce the penalty. Keenum stayed in the game though, as coach Jeff Fisher said he was unaware of the extent of Keenum's injury and the officials didn't pay attention because they were enforcing a penalty. Two plays later, Keenum fumbled on third down as Baltimore recovered at the Rams' 41. The Ravens went on to kick a field goal as time expired to steal a 16-13 victory.

Why it mattered: The fallout of this play was felt immediately and lingered well beyond it. The loss to the lowly Ravens was perhaps the worst of the season for the Rams (perhaps save for the blowout defeat to Chicago) and this one dropped them to 4-6 on the season. It didn't mathematically eliminate them from the playoffs, but with Cincinnati and Arizona coming in the two weeks that followed, it essentially crushed any dreams of a bid the Rams still harbored. Beyond that, there was plenty of controversy involving the Rams and the NFL's handling of Keenum's concussion. Video replays showed that Keenum had obviously suffered a concussion, but since Scott came on the field the league's observer didn't get involved. The Rams avoided any punishment for how it was handled but the league held more conversations about how to make the process better moving forward. Keenum missed the next two games, both of which were blowout losses that did bury the Rams.

They said it: “I remember everything," Keenum said. "I remember the play itself. Kind of a funky play, [they] jumped offsides. I remember looking downfield and not throwing it. Obviously, not a great decision there. Trying to find my checkdown and he was eaten up, so I was just trying to get rid of the ball. Kind of got slammed and got shaken up a little bit. After I got up, Reggie came over and I was good. He told me to go down on a knee and I told him, ‘I’m good, I’m good.’ I went to the play. Got the play from the coach, went and called the next play and felt good to go.”

 

[RamBill]

Plays that shaped the Rams season No. 1: The beginning of the end
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...the-rams-season-no-1-the-beginning-of-the-end

EARTH CITY, Mo. – In what would soon become the Rams’ final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.

The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.

Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.

Here’s No. 1:

Game: at Minnesota, week 9

Date: Nov. 8, 2015

The play: Good days for Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein were few and far between in 2015 but this looked to be one of them, save for one important exception. He was 4-of-5 on field goals, including a franchise record 61-yard effort and a 53-yarder to send the game to overtime. But he missed a 48-yarder earlier in the fourth quarter which might have given the Rams a chance to win in regulation. But the biggest mark here against the Rams was eschewing an extra point attempt in the first quarter to go for two when the score was 10-6. The kick would have been at the windy end of the field, but Zuerlein said he had felt comfortable kicking that direction between 45 and 48 yards out before the game. The extra point would have been 12 to 15 yards shorter. Rams coach Jeff Fisher said he went for two because of the wind and because he felt the Rams would need every possible point. A made extra point there or a conversion from Zuerlein on the 48-yard attempt might have been enough to give the Rams a victory. Instead, they lost 21-18 in overtime to fall to 4-4 on the season.

Why it mattered: The Rams entered this game with a two-game winning streak and a 4-3 record in November, which might not seem like much but was actually quite an accomplishment for a team that hadn't been above .500 this late in the season much in the past decade-plus. In fact, a win would have left the Rams two games over .500 at that point in the season for the first time since 2003. Instead, the Rams once again couldn't get out of their own way in a difficult game that was eminently winnable. The missed field goal and the failed two-point conversion prevented the Rams from coming up with an impressive win. Worse, it led to a spiral that would see them lose five straight. By the time the Rams snapped out of their funk, the season was essentially lost. There were plenty of painful losses for the Rams in 2015. but you'd be hard-pressed to find one that hit as hard and had as lasting an effect as the one that took place at TCF Bank Stadium in early November.

They said it: "I felt like we were gonna need as many scoring opportunities as we possibly can," Fisher said. "And it was indicative of how the wind was. I liked what we had up, and I let the coaches know after I observed the wind.

"It's a long kick, and [the wind] was pushing the ball around. Whether it worked out or not, I would do it again."