Predictions for the 2012 Rams Season

The 2012 NFL season is quickly coming up upon us. All 32 teams have finished cutting down their rosters to 53 players, and while some wheeling and dealing will occur in the next few days, the starting lineups are, for the most part, set. With that, I'll be looking at the Rams' schedule and making predictions on how well (or terrible) they will do this season. Note that predictions are, as always, very "unpredictable". As such, these predictions are highly tongue-in-cheek, just to make it more interesting. My score predictions will be in bold below a short assessment of the game, as well as a weekly NFC West Ranking. We'll just have to wait and see how true they stay to form.


Week 1: RAMS @ DETROIT

The season opener starts off with a bang as the Rams quickly face one of the league's top tier teams. The Rams are hoping the result this time around won't be as bad as the Eagles game a season ago. The Rams start off strong against the Lions, scoring a field goal on their first drive. But after trading punts, the Lions score a big touchdown on a 62-yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson, and never look back after that. The Lions continue to pass on a shaky Rams defense during the rest of the game.
LOSS 42-10, Tied 2nd in NFC West (0-1)


Week 2: WASHINGTON @ RAMS

The Redskins come to town as the Rams try to regain some confidence after their big loss to Detroit last week. The Rams quickly come out and score two touchdowns on a reeling Redskins defense, but Robert Griffin III makes the game interesting by throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for one more. Ultimately, though, the Rams escape on a close and controversial 4th down play, in which cornerback Cortland Finnegan manages to escape a pass interference penalty on a pass intended to Pierre Garcon up the sideline.
WIN 27-24, Tied 2nd in NFC West (1-1)


Week 3: RAMS @ CHICAGO

The Rams head on the road once again, and once again they struggle against a tough NFC North team. Chicago seemingly moves the ball at will, and their defense terrorizes Sam Bradford. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler throws for 250 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Rams get annihilated a week after their first win.
LOSS 38-6, 3rd in NFC West (1-2)


Week 4: SEATTLE @ RAMS

The Seahawks come to town looking to rebound after a tough loss against Green Bay on Monday Night. Russell Wilson and company manage to exploit a Rams D that is suffering from several injuries (notably DT Michael Brockers), and win it on a 32-yard rainbow from Wilson to Braylon Edwards.
LOSS 30-24, Tied 3rd in NFC West (1-3)


Week 5: ARIZONA @ RAMS

In a battle of 1-3 teams, the Cardinals come to town looking to upset the somewhat decent Rams. John Skelton has been horrible over the last four weeks, throwing 5 interceptions compared to 2 touchdowns. The Rams take full advantage of the slowly sinking Cards, and manage to put out their best offensive showing since Week 2. Steven Jackson rushes for two touchdowns in a good win for St. Louis.
WIN 27-7, 3rd in NFC West (2-3)


Week 6: RAMS @ MIAMI

The Dolphins have one of the worst teams in the league, and are off to a sluggish start as well. St. Louis takes advantage, managing to win a close one on a defensive stop. Reggie Bush does provide an early scare on a 57-yard touchdown run, but it's all Rams football after that.
WIN 20-13, 3rd in NFC West (3-3)


Week 7: GREEN BAY @ RAMS

Already considered a good season by Rams standards, St. Louis returns home to face a tough Packers squad. Aaron Rodgers has a field day against an injured St. Louis defense, passing for nearly 350 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Rams keep the game close at first, but the Pack eventually pulls away with a big win.
LOSS 37-17, 3rd in NFC West (3-4)


Week 8: NEW ENGLAND @ RAMS

With the bye week in site, the Rams may be looking too far ahead. They are certainly playing in a different set of conditions with the game being held in London and all. The Rams struggle against New England at Wembley, and Sam Bradford is injured. Quarterback Austin Davis replaces him but throws two picks as the Rams get dumped in England.
LOSS 27-3, 3rd in NFC West (3-5)


Week 9: BYE WEEK

The Rams get to their bye week with a relatively reasonable record, but not completely unscathed. Sam Bradford is out for a few weeks with an ankle sprain, Cortland Finnegan and Craig Dahl are out with a thumb and chest injury (respectively), and two offensive linemen are playing with injuries. Fortunately, the stable of wide receivers and runningbacks are relatively healthy, but not necessarily athletic. The Rams hope to recover from the injuries soon as they face several tough division foes in the last half of the season.


Week 10: RAMS @ SAN FRANCISCO

The Rams head to Candlestick under the leadership of newly acquired veteran Kellen Clemens, who they cut prior to the season opener. Clemens performs well, throwing one touchdown and one interception, but the Rams cannot get the ground game going against San Fran, and cannot stop San Fran's monstrous backfield and passing attack.
LOSS 39-17, 3rd in NFC West (3-6)


Week 11: NEW YORK JETS @ RAMS

The Rams face the struggling Jets at home, and almost manage to pull it out. With 2:39 left in the game, Jets starting quarterback Tim Tebow leads the Jets 83 yards down the field on a touchdown drive that ends in a floating pass to wideout Santonio Holmes with 19 seconds left. The Rams are furious that they let this one slip away.
LOSS 23-20, 3rd in NFC West (3-7)


Week 12: RAMS @ ARIZONA

The Rams look to earn their first win since Week 6 by trying to sneak past the fledgling Cardinals. But it's the Cards who manage to sneak away with the win, blocking a 55-yard Greg Zuerlein field goal as time expires to earn their first win since Week 7. The Rams look forward to next week's return of quarterback Sam Bradford, just in time for a key game against San Francisco.
LOSS 20-17, Tied 3rd in NFC West (3-8)


Week 13: SAN FRANCISCO @ RAMS

The Rams face the division leading 49ers, who are looking for their ninth win on the season. Sam Bradford leads the team down the field multiple times in the first half, and for a second it seems that the Rams may pull the upset. But San Fran piles on the points in the second, as the defense gives up several big plays to a contending Niners team.
LOSS 40-27, 4th in NFC West (3-9)


Week 14: RAMS @ BUFFALO

Snowy weather causes the Rams to play a sloppy game against the advantageous Bills, who manage to win a rough-and-tumble cold weather bout. The Rams are shut out for the first time as they struggle to move the ball, and an interception return almost goes for a touchdown before Janoris Jenkins slips on a cutback and fumbles away the ball. The Rams are still seeking their 4th win on the season as they try to avoid somewhat of a repeat of last year's horrendous 2-14 season.
LOSS 14-0, 4th in NFC West (3-10)


Week 15: MINNESOTA @ RAMS

With renewed confidence playing at home, the Rams manage to defeat the Vikings in a hard fought game. With the Vikings leading for the first three quarters, the Rams score two late touchdowns on a Sam Bradford toss and a Danny Amendola end-around to put the Vikings away, and earn their first win since Week 6.
WIN 30-20, Tied 3rd in NFC West (4-10)


Week 16: RAMS @ TAMPA BAY

With 4 seconds to go, Greg Zuerlein nails a 59 yarder at the buzzer to claim a Rams victory over Tampa in a tight contest. The Rams celebrate even as Steven Jackson is lost for the rest of the year with a calf injury. Since they are long out of playoff contention, the Rams will hope to win the next game in Seattle and prevent the 8-7 Seahawks from possibly going to the playoffs.
WIN 26-23, 3rd in NFC West (5-10)


Week 17: RAMS @ SEATTLE

The Rams once again end the season in Seattle, although this time it won't be for a playoff spot (for the Rams at least). Seattle needs one win to possibly advance to the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Rams do not get the win in this one as they cannot get their run game going without Steven Jackson playing. Although the do end the season on a low note, they did manage to more than double their win total from last season.
LOSS 38-10, 3rd in NFC West (5-11)


The Rams finish the season 5-11, good enough for third in the NFC West behind San Francisco (12-4) and Seattle (9-7) but in front of Arizona (4-12). Of course, all of these predictions are purely, as I've said before, hypothetical tongue-in-cheek plots, so if any of these games are remotely close to the outcome I described, you can call me God from now on. But it's still fun to guess what might happen, but not be too completely realistic (although, realistically, pessimism abounds for us Rams fans). Either way, enjoy the upcoming season Rams fans! Hopefully it will be better than these predictions!