2014 St. Louis Rams season

The 2014 season was the St. Louis Rams' 77th in the National Football League, their 20th in St. Louis and their third under head coach Jeff Fisher. The Rams attempted to reach a playoff berth for the first time since their 2004 season, but were officially eliminated in their loss against Arizona in Week 15. The Rams failed to improve on their 7–9 record from 2013, finishing 6–10 in 2014. The Rams' 2014 season was notable for their numerous starting quarterbacks including Austin Davis, Shaun Hill, and Sam Bradford, the last of whom was injured before the season began. Despite the lack of stability at the position, the Rams defeated both defending conference champions, Super Bowl participants, and 2014 division winners, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, plus also shutting out two teams in consecutive weeks: the Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins.

2014 St. Louis Rams season
OwnerStan Kroenke
Head coachJeff Fisher
General managerLes Snead
Home fieldEdward Jones Dome
Results
Record6–10
Division place4th NFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersAaron Donald, DT
Robert Quinn, DE
Uniform

2014 draft class
Main article: 2014 NFL draft
2014 St. Louis Rams Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
12 Greg RobinsonOffensive tackleAuburn
13 Aaron DonaldDefensive tacklePittsburgh
241 Lamarcus JoynerCornerbackFlorida State
375 Tre MasonRunning backAuburn
4110 Maurice AlexanderSafetyUtah St.
5 None
6188 E. J. GainesCornerbackMissouri
214 Garrett GilbertQuarterbackSMU
7226 Mitchell Van DykOffensive tacklePortland St.
241 Christian BryantFree safetyOhio St.
249 Michael SamDefensive endMissouri
250 Demetrius RhaneyCenterTennessee St.
Compensatory selection

Draft trades

  • The Rams acquired an additional first-round selection (No. 2 overall) as part of a trade that sent the team's 2012 first-round selection (Robert Griffin III) to the Washington Redskins.
  • The Rams traded their second- (No. 44 overall) and fifth- (No. 153 overall) round selections to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the Bills' second-round selection (No. 41 overall).
  • The Rams acquired an additional seventh-round selection (No. 241 overall) in a trade that sent cornerback Josh Gordy to the Indianapolis Colts.[1]

Staff
2014 St. Louis Rams staff
Front office
  • Owner/Chairman – Stan Kroenke
  • Owner/Vice Chairman – Chip Rosenbloom
  • Executive Vice President of Football Operations/COO – Kevin Demoff
  • General Manager – Les Snead
  • Director of College Scouting – Brad Holmes
  • Director of Player Personnel – Taylor Morton
  • Director of Pro Personnel – Ran Carthon

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator – John Fassel
  • Assistant Special Teams Coordinator – Paul Boudreau, Jr.

Strength and conditioning

  • Head Strength and Conditioning – Rock Gullickson
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Adam Bailey
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – J. Aggabao

Final roster
2014 St. Louis Rams final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 7 inactive, 9 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

The season took a turn for the worst when starting QB Sam Bradford tore his ACL against the Cleveland Browns on August 23. It was the same ACL he tore the year before that caused him to miss the last half of the year.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 8 New Orleans Saints L 24–26 0–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap
2 August 16 Green Bay Packers L 7–21 0–2 Edward Jones Dome Recap
3 August 23 at Cleveland Browns W 33–14 1–2 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
4 August 28 at Miami Dolphins L 13–14 1–3 Sun Life Stadium Recap

Regular season
Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 7 Minnesota Vikings L 6–34 0–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap
2 September 14 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 19–17 1–1 Raymond James Stadium Recap
3 September 21 Dallas Cowboys L 31–34 1–2 Edward Jones Dome Recap
4 Bye
5 October 5 at Philadelphia Eagles L 28–34 1–3 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
6 October 13 San Francisco 49ers L 17–31 1–4 Edward Jones Dome Recap
7 October 19 Seattle Seahawks W 28–26 2–4 Edward Jones Dome Recap
8 October 26 at Kansas City Chiefs L 7–34 2–5 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
9 November 2 at San Francisco 49ers W 13–10 3–5 Levi's Stadium Recap
10 November 9 at Arizona Cardinals L 14–31 3–6 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
11 November 16 Denver Broncos W 22–7 4–6 Edward Jones Dome Recap
12 November 23 at San Diego Chargers L 24–27 4–7 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
13 November 30 Oakland Raiders W 52–0 5–7 Edward Jones Dome Recap
14 December 7 at Washington Redskins W 24–0 6–7 FedExField Recap
15 December 11 Arizona Cardinals L 6–12 6–8 Edward Jones Dome Recap
16 December 21 New York Giants L 27–37 6–9 Edward Jones Dome Recap
17 December 28 at Seattle Seahawks L 6–20 6–10 CenturyLink Field Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week One: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 10 71434
Rams 0 0 336

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

The Rams started the season at home against Minnesota, their first meeting at home since week 15 two years back. The Vikings went on to stun the Rams, 36-22.

Already missing starting quarterback Sam Bradford for the year with another knee injury, the Rams lost several starters via injury; New starting quarterback Shaun Hill, to injured quadriceps, and defensive end Chris Long was hampered by an ankle injury which forced him to miss two months. An unknown, but third-string quarterback named Austin Davis, who would take the starting job for the next few games, took over for Hill in the second half. The Rams, limited by two field goals, would go on to lose their home opener, 34-6.

Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Two: St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 7 3 3619
Buccaneers 7 0 7317

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: September 14
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT/3:05 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 88 °F (31 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 59,923
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With Chris Long and Shaun Hill out, the Rams travel to Tampa Bay looking to rebound from the blowout home loss against Minnesota. The game saw Austin Davis get first start. Most of the game was delayed due to lightning and thunder after the game was tied to 7. Rams kicker Greg Zurelien nailed a last minute field goal to give the Rams a close 19-17 victory, giving them their first win of the season, with a record of one game tied apiece.

Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week Three: Dallas Cowboys at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 10 101434
Rams 7 14 01031

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

The Rams started off hot early in the game, but Dallas responded in the second half, including a Tony Romo pass to Dez Bryant for 68 yards, in which stunned the St. Louis home crowd. In the fourth quarter Rams tight end Jared Cook's temper snapped on the sidelines as he shoved quarterback Austin Davis who attempted to find Cook in the end zone, but Davis pass was incomplete. Davis threw a couple of interceptions, including one by a swarming of Dallas defenders to give Dallas a 34-31 victory.

Week 5: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week Five: St. Louis Rams at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 0 7 71428
Eagles 13 7 14034

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), mostly sunny
  • Game attendance: 69,596
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week Six: San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
49ers 0 10 14731
Rams 14 0 0317

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

Hosting the 49ers on Monday Night, the Rams, sporting their 1999 throwbacks, welcomed back "The Greatest Show on Turf" at halftime. But the 49ers ruined their party as they would go on to stun the Rams at home 31-17.

Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week Seven: Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Seahawks 3 3 71326
Rams 7 14 0728

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: October 19
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 57,855
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Hoping to rebound from the heartbreaking Monday Night loss at home, the Rams face the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks. Highlighted by a series of fake punts and long returns, the Rams managed to squeeze past the Super Bowl champions, 28-26.

Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week Eight: St. Louis Rams at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 7 0 007
Chiefs 0 10 101434

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: October 26
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 75,972
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Donovan McNabb and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Rams travel to Kansas City to face their in-state rival and the first of four AFC West opponents of the season, the Chiefs. Things would get ugly for the Rams as more injuries continue to pile up as both offensive lineman Jake Long and wide receiver Brian Quick suffered season-ending knee and shoulder injuries, respectively. With the loss, the Rams are 0-1 against AFC West opponents.

Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers
Week Nine: St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 3 7 0313
49ers 3 7 0010

at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

Game information

In the last seconds of the fourth quarter, Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis scooped a fumble from 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who attempted to dive into the endzone for a game-winning touchdown, to give the Rams a 13-10 victory. The defense, for the most part, sacked Kaepernick eight times.

Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals
Week Ten: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 7 7 0014
Cardinals 0 10 02131

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Game information

Week 11: vs. Denver Broncos
Week Eleven: Denver Broncos at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 7 007
Rams 10 3 3622

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: November 16
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 59,401
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Jenny Dell
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Rams meet the Broncos at home for the first time since their home opener in 2006. The Rams won 18-10.

The injury-riddled Denver Broncos (7-2) travel to St. Louis, looking to extend their lead in the AFC West, but it was too late as the Rams defense harassed Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense all day long. Rams' quarterback Shaun Hill returned from injury and took over for Austin Davis, who started only a few games. Among the game's highlights was Rams safety Rodney McLeod taking a hit on Broncos' wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, forcing Sanders to leave the game with a concussion. Officials later confirmed that the McLeod hit on Sanders was not illegal. The Rams won 22-7 and are tied one game apiece against all AFC West opponents.

Week 12: at San Diego Chargers
Week Twelve: St. Louis Rams at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 3 7 7724
Chargers 3 3 14727

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 66,040
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Rams travel to San Diego, facing their third AFC West opponent, the Chargers. The Rams looked to go 2-1 against AFC West opponents, but couldn't flick the switch this time thanks to the Chargers' Philip Rivers' late game heroics and the defense, who intercepted a pass from Shaun Hill, who attempted a game-winning touchdown pass. With the 27-24 loss, this gave the Rams a 1-2 record against all AFC West opponents. Rams fans, who attended the game, were seen holding up signs involving a possible return to Los Angeles.

Week 13: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week Thirteen: Oakland Raiders at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 0 000
Rams 21 17 01452

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

The Rams meet the Raiders at home for the first time in twelve years after Week 6 of 2002, where the Rams defeated the Raiders, who were 4-0 at the time, 28-13 to give the Rams their first victory of 2002 after starting the year with five consecutive losses.

Before the game, five Rams receivers came out of the tunnel with their hands up in protest to support the Ferguson unrest, causing controversy (see hands up don't shoot). Amid the "Hands Up" controversy, the Rams defense harassed the Raiders and struggling new quarterback Derek Carr all game long. The game was best highlighted by two Tre Mason touchdowns, including an 89-yard run. The Rams held the Raiders scoreless with a 52-0 blowout. With the victory, the Rams finished the year 2-2 against all AFC West opponents.

Week 14: at Washington Redskins
Week Fourteen: St. Louis Rams at Washington Redskins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 0 6 18024
Redskins 0 0 000

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: December 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 71,120
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Kirk Morrison and Peter Schrager
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Despite Rams' kicker Greg Zuerlein missing a series of field goals and chants of "RG3!!!" from Washington's home crowd, the Rams still managed to hold Washington scoreless, giving them a 24-0 victory, and their sixth and final win the Rams would get this year. For the second time in a row this season, the Rams held an opponent scoreless.

Week 15: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week Fifteen: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 6 3312
Rams 3 0 036

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

With the loss, the Rams were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Week 16: vs. New York Giants
Week Sixteen: New York Giants at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Giants 10 10 14337
Rams 3 10 7727

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

The Rams wrapped up their 2014 home schedule, facing their fourth and final NFC East opponent, the Giants, led by new wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.. Tempers flared later in the game as a sideline brawl escalated after a late hit on Beckham, drawing 3 ejections to Giants' Damontre Moore and Preston Parker and Rams' defensive end William Hayes. The Rams went on to lose their final home game, 27-37.

Week 17: at Seattle Seahawks
Week Seventeen: St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 3 3 006
Seahawks 0 0 61420

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

Going to Seattle for their third straight year, the Rams once again struggled all game, losing the game 20-6, ending their season with a disappointing 6-10 record. The record led the team to draft running back Todd Gurley from Georgia with the 10th pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Standings

Division
NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Seattle Seahawks 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 394 254 W6
(5) Arizona Cardinals 11 5 0 .688 3–3 8–4 310 299 L2
San Francisco 49ers 8 8 0 .500 2–4 7–5 306 340 W1
St. Louis Rams 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 324 354 L3

Conference
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Seattle Seahawks West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 .525 .513 W6
2[lower-alpha 1] Green Bay Packers North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .482 .440 W2
3[lower-alpha 1] Dallas Cowboys East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 .445 .422 W4
4 Carolina Panthers South 7 8 1 .469 4–2 6–6 .490 .357 W4
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 2] Arizona Cardinals West 11 5 0 .688 3–3 8–4 .523 .477 L2
6[lower-alpha 2] Detroit Lions North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 .471 .392 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Philadelphia Eagles East 10 6 0 .625 4–2 6–6 .490 .416 W1
8 San Francisco 49ers West 8 8 0 .500 2–4 7–5 .527 .508 W1
9[lower-alpha 3] New Orleans Saints South 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .486 .415 W1
10[lower-alpha 3] Minnesota Vikings North 7 9 0 .438 1–5 6–6 .475 .308 W1
11[lower-alpha 4] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .512 .323 L1
12[lower-alpha 4] Atlanta Falcons South 6 10 0 .375 5–1 6–6 .482 .380 L1
13[lower-alpha 4] St. Louis Rams West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .531 .427 L3
14 Chicago Bears North 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .529 .338 L5
15 Washington Redskins East 4 12 0 .250 2–4 2–10 .496 .422 L1
16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 .486 .469 L6
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 5]
  1. Seattle, Green Bay and Dallas were ranked in seeds 1–3 based on conference record.
  2. Arizona defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 11, 14–6).
  3. New Orleans defeated Minnesota head-to-head (Week 3, 20–9).
  4. The New York Giants defeated both Atlanta and St. Louis head-to-head (Atlanta: Week 5, 30–20; St. Louis: Week 16, 37–27), while Atlanta finished ahead of St. Louis
    based on conference record.
  5. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Awards and honors
Recipient Award(s)
Stedman BaileyWeek 7: NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
Greg ZuerleinWeek 11: NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
Tavon AustinWeek 14: NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
Aaron DonaldNFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

References
  1. Wagoner, Nick (January 11, 2014). "Rams-related playoff notes: Divisional round". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 15, 2014. Indianapolis cornerback Josh Gordy, whom the Rams receive a seventh-round draft choice for this year from a 2012 trade, made a big play to keep the Colts alive and will play the Patriots tonight.
  2. "2014 Conference Standings". NFL.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  3. "2014 NFL playoff picture". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
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