2012 St. Louis Rams season

The 2012 season was the St. Louis Rams' 75th in the National Football League (NFL), their 18th in St. Louis and their first under head coach Jeff Fisher. Finishing at 7–8–1, they improved on their 2–14 record from 2011. In Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, the game ended in a 24–24 tie, the first since the 2008 NFL season. It was Sam Bradford's second and final full season as the Rams starting quarterback as two torn ACLs sidelined him for much of the next season and the entire 2014 season.

2012 St. Louis Rams season
OwnerStan Kroenke
General managerLes Snead
Head coachJeff Fisher
Home fieldEdward Jones Dome
Results
Record7–8–1
Division place3rd NFC West
Playoff finishdid not qualify
Pro Bowlersnone
Uniform

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.[1] 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

RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
114 [a] Michael BrockersDTLSU
233 Brian QuickWRAppalachian State
39 Janoris JenkinsCBNorth Alabama
50 [b] Isaiah PeadRBCincinnati
365 Trumaine JohnsonCBMontana
496 Chris GivensWRWake Forest
5150 [b] Rokevious WatkinsOGSouth Carolina
6171 Greg ZuerleinKMissouri Western
7209 Aaron BrownLBHawaii
252 [c] Daryl RichardsonRBAbilene Christian
NOTES
^[a] 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.[2]
^[b] Rams traded the 45th pick to the Bears for the 50th overall pick and the Bears 5th round pick (#150 overall)
^[c] supplemental compensatory selection

Staff

2012 St. Louis Rams staff
Front office
  • 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 coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – John Fassel
  • Assistant special teams coordinator – Paul Boudreau, Jr.

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Rock Gullickson
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Adam Bailey


† – suspended for the 2012 season
(see New Orleans Saints bounty scandal)

Final roster

2012 St. Louis Rams final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • 62 Harvey Dahl G (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 37 Matt Daniels SS (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 99 Trevor Laws DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 73 Rokevious Watkins OT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 4 inactive, 8 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 12 at Indianapolis Colts L 3–38 0–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
2 August 18 Kansas City Chiefs W 31–17 1–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap
3 August 25 at Dallas Cowboys L 19–20 1–2 Cowboys Stadium Recap
4 August 30 Baltimore Ravens W 31–17 2–2 Edward Jones Dome Recap

Regular season

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 9 at Detroit Lions L 23–27 0–1 Ford Field Recap
2 September 16 Washington Redskins W 31–28 1–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap
3 September 23 at Chicago Bears L 6–23 1–2 Soldier Field Recap
4 September 30 Seattle Seahawks W 19–13 2–2 Edward Jones Dome Recap
5 October 4 Arizona Cardinals W 17–3 3–2 Edward Jones Dome Recap
6 October 14 at Miami Dolphins L 14–17 3–3 Sun Life Stadium Recap
7 October 21 Green Bay Packers L 20–30 3–4 Edward Jones Dome Recap
8 October 28 New England Patriots L 7–45 3–5 United Kingdom Wembley Stadium (London) Recap
9 Bye
10 November 11 at San Francisco 49ers T 24–24 3–5–1 Candlestick Park Recap
11 November 18 New York Jets L 13–27 3–6–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap
12 November 25 at Arizona Cardinals W 31–17 4–6–1 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
13 December 2 San Francisco 49ers W 16–13 5–6–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap
14 December 9 at Buffalo Bills W 15–12 6–6–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
15 December 16 Minnesota Vikings L 22–36 6–7–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap
16 December 23 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 28–13 7–7–1 Raymond James Stadium Recap
17 December 30 at Seattle Seahawks L 13–20 7–8–1 CenturyLink Field Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: at Detroit Lions

Week One: St. Louis Rams at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 0 28 7035
Lions 0 0 000

at Ford Field, Detroit

  • Date: September 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,315
  • Referee: Donovan Briggans
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

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

Week Two: Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Redskins 3 7 0010
Rams 3 13 7831

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: September 17
  • Game time: 3:05 pm. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 53,979
  • Referee: Wayne Elliott
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

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.[3]

Week 3: at Chicago Bears

Week Three: St. Louis Rams at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 0 21 71240
Bears 0 0 000

at Soldier Field, Chicago

  • Date: September 23
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CDT
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 62,224
  • Referee: Jerry Hughes
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Game information

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

Week Four: Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 0 31013
Rams 20 13 2338

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: September 30
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 53,193
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Kristina Pink
Game information

With the win, the Rams improved to 2–2, And 2–0 in home games.

Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week Five: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 0 303
Rams 7 20 0027

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

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

Week Six: St. Louis Rams at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 8 0 3314
Dolphins 0 7 7317

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: October 14
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT/12:00 pm. CDT
  • Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 52,983
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

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

Week Seven: Green Bay Packers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 0 033
Rams 3 0 20730

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

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

Week Eight: New England Patriots at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 0 007
Rams 30 7 0845

at Wembley Stadium, London

  • Date: October 28
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. GMT/12:00 pm. CDT
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 84,004
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Game information

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

Week Ten: St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 14 3 71034
49ers 0 7 01724

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

  • Date: November 11
  • Game time: 3:25 pm. CST/1:25 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 69,732
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

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

Week Eleven: New York Jets at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets 3 3 10723
Rams 3 21 0630

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 57,711
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information

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

Week Twelve: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 0 14 14331
Cardinals 7 10 0017

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 3:25 pm. CST/2:25 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 60,062
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Game information

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

Week Thirteen: San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 0 6 006
Rams 31 3 20357

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: December 2
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 57,279
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information

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

Week Fourteen: St. Louis Rams at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 3 14 0017
Bills 3 0 15321

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 9
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST/12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 68,109
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Krista Voda
Game information

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

Week Fifteen: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 10 0013
Rams 0 8 02432

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: December 16
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 55,751
  • Referee: Alberto Riveron
  • TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Kristina Pink
Game information

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

Week Sixteen: St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 21 14 3038
Buccaneers 3 3 7013

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: December 23
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST/12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 51,535
  • Referee: Scott Green
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Krista Voda
Game information

Despite the win, the Rams were officially eliminated from playoff contention due to the Vikings 23–6 win over the Texans, but are aiming to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2004 with a win at Seattle at next week

Week 17: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Seventeen: St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 0 7 21735
Seahawks 0 3 306

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle

  • Date: December 30
  • Game time: 3:25 pm. CST/1:25 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 41 °F (5 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 67,936
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

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

NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) San Francisco 49ers 11 4 1 .719 3–2–1 7–4–1 397 273 W1
(5) Seattle Seahawks 11 5 0 .688 3–3 8–4 412 245 W5
St. Louis Rams 7 8 1 .469 4–1–1 6–5–1 299 348 L1
Arizona Cardinals 5 11 0 .313 1–5 3–9 250 357 L2

References

Media related to 2012 St. Louis Rams season at Wikimedia Commons

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