By John Turney
Currently, the Rams are 3-0 and face the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis on Thursday Night Football on the 27th. As TJ Troup pointed out the Rams-Vikings series has not been kind to the Rams, especially when the games are played in the North.
When the Rams have begun the season with a 4-0 record, the season almost always goes well, all but twice they made the playoffs and twice won NFL Championships. Will 2018 follow suit?
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| Bob Waterfield |
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| Dick Hoerner |
The defense was led by All-Pro defensive tackle Dick Huffman, fine rookie linebacker Tank Younger (who also played fullback) George Sims who picked off nine passes and a good pair of defensive ends in Larry Brink and Jack Zilly. The 1949 Rams team lost the NFL championship to the Eagles on a rainy day in Los Angeles.
Again, the combined record of the teams they beat was 4-12, but two of the wins were quality wins, one was over the 3-1 Cowboys and the other over the 3-1 49ers. In those first four games, the Rams Fearsome Foursome allowed just 64.8 yards a game rushing and a 2.9 yards per carry average and nailing the quarterback 17 times. The defensive passer rating was 42.3.
The running game was not dynamic, but plodding but Dick Bass and Les Josephson, and others rushed for 550 yards and a 3.9 average and Roman Gabriel passing states were 55/101 for a 54.5 completion percentage for 696 yards 7 touchdowns and 2 picks for a 91.0 passer rating.
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| 1969 Rams with newly acquired Bob Brown (76) and Mike LaHood (64) filling in for Joe Scibelli |
The defense allowed just 3.2 yards a rush and sacked quarterbacks 16 times in the opening four games and allowed a defensive passer rating of 51.5. The offense lacked a running game and the offense fell on the shoulders of NFL MVP Roman Gabriel who threw for 9 touchdowns and no picks with a passer rating of 92.6.
The combined record of the fallen was 3-12-1 with the only quality win was over the Colts who were just 2-2 in the opening four games.
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| Fred Dryer and Jack Youngblood putting the "pinch" on Fran Tarkenton |
They began 6-0, ended 12-2 but lost in the opening round of the playoffs due to what seemed like the jitters by his offensive team, plagued by fumbles, picks, missed field goals they were defeated by the Cowboys. But after for games they had run for 879 yards and newly acquire John Hadl had a passer rating of 146.1, the highest of any Ram QB in the first month of the season.
Though only throwing 13 times a game he had 8 touchdowns and no picks and many of his passes were deep, averaging 13.6 yards per completion. Harold Jackson had 9 receptions for 185 yards and 4 touchdowns and this was before his monster game against Dallas in week five when he was the Offensive Player of the Week with four touchdown catches.
Defensively the Rams allowed 70.3 yards rushing (a 3.4 average per carry) and has 11 sacks (Led by Jack Youngblood who had half those sacks) and picked off seven passes (by six different defenders).
The record of their foes was 6-10 overall and only the Falcons ended the season with a winning record.
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| 1978 versus the Cowboys in week five |
The following two tables show the vital stats of all the 4-0 teams along with the 3-0 2018 Rams.
(Click to enlarge)
The Rams were the number one defense in the NFL in 1978 and carried that distinction from week two on. Their defensive passer rating in the 4-0 span was an outstanding 41.5.
The combined record of the four teams they beat was 8-8 but all four ended up in the playoffs so all four were quality wins.
In 1985 it was John Robinson's team and Fritz Shurmur's defense. Like 1978 they began 7-0 and in the early four games they missed Eric Dickerson for two (holdout) and had a short quarterback who threw sidearm—Dieter Brock. Charles White filled in nicely for Dickerson and the run offense was fine. The defense was emphasizing the nickel more than the base and relied on a fine stable of secondary men to get the job done, names like Nolan Cromwell, Johnnie Johnson, Gary Green, LeRoy Irvin and nickel back Vince Newsome all starred along with the NFL's best special teams units.
The record of the four defeated teams was 5-11 and only the Denver Broncos ended the season with a winning record (11-5) though they missed the playoffs.
In 1988 the Rams had injuries on the defensive line and Fritz Shurmur had a bunch of good linebackers so he often employed his Eagle defense in 1988 and 1989. In 1988 it took the league by storm and after four games they had 25 sacks. It also worked (though they were a 3-4 base) against the run allowing just 331 yards rushing for a 3.8 average in the first four games. Gary Jeter had 6.5 of the 25 sacks and Kevin Greene had four. Fred Strickland was the unique chess piece in the Eagle scheme, playing 'nosebacker'. He'd play over the nose in the Eagle but also stem to inside linebacker for the 'Hawk' defense. He'd also play defensive tackle in the nickel defense.
The offense belonged to Jim Everett (104.0) passing rating, followed up by a 104.9 in 1989) and Greg Bell (Dickerson had been traded the previous season).
The record of the defeated was 5-11 and only the Giants had a winning record by years end.
In 1989 they were 4-0 again, but it was done more with mirrors on defense, the run stopping and pass defense were okay, but nothing spectacular. The offense was a tick better than in 1988 but the defense was suspect until a fine 13-12 win over the 49ers. Against the Packers, in week three a Vince Newsome pick-six proved to be the difference.
Two of their early wins were quality over the eventual Super Bowl champs the 49ers and the 10-6 Packers. The combined record of their victims after week four was 8-8.
In their first season in St. Louis (1995) the Rams started out a house on fire, winning the turnover battle 14-0 and Jerome Bettis steadily closing out games and the defense, led by Roman Phifer, D'Marco Farr, Todd Lyght, Toby Wright and others making big play after big play.
The 5-11 record of the teams the Rams beat was a bit deceiving. The Packers and Bears were quality wins but the Saints and Panthers both ended 7-9 and were "tough outs". Not so much for the Rams who ended 7-9 and going 3-9 the final 3/4 of the season. The running game went south and so did the big advantage in turnovers.
From 1999-01 the Rams were 4-0 every year and the offense chemistry was the same: Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt riddling defenses with Mike Martz calling the plays.
However, the story of those three defenses is another story. In 1999 the Rams had the NFL's top run defense and led the NFL in sacks. Their defensive passer rating was 64.0, second to only the Buccaneers. However, in 2000 the defense was one of the worst in the NFL, 31ist in points allowed and 23rd in yards allowed, and it occurred with virtually the same players. Kevin Carter and D'Marco Farr were injured to varying degrees, but it was a big drop.
So, Martz blew up the defense, hired Lovie Smith and built a facsimile of the Tampa Bay defense. They traded for Aeneas Williams, drafted Damione Lewis, Adam Archuleta, and Ryan Pickett in the first round and Tommy Polley in the second round to be their 'Ronde Barber, Warren Sapp, John Lynch, Booger McFarland. It worked, for a short time (2001 anyway). The defense was 7th in points allowed, 3rd to yards allowed, 3rd in rushing yards allowed and their 69.9 defensive passer rating was sixth.
In 1999 the record of the fallen was 5-12 but none of the teams made the playoffs and the 49ers who were 3-2 after the Rams loss totally nosedived.
In 2000 the combined record was a respectable 7-9. And in 2001 the record was 8-8 and three of the wins, over the Eagles, the 49ers, and Dolphins were quality wins over teams that went to the playoffs.
So, it's been seventeen years and now Rams are poised to go 4-0 So, again, will 2018 be another 4-0 start?
Facing the Vikings in Minnesota is no small task. This is a team that beat the Rams last year and was just humiliated this past Sunday. The Rams are 3-0 but the combined record of those teams is 1-8. Their run defense is allowing 5.0 yards a rush and the pass rush has generated just 4 sacks. Their secondary play has been excellent allowing just a 73.3 defensive passer rating but the Rams are without their two best secondary players, Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters with lower leg injuries though Peters is officially "day-to-day".
Dominique Easley and Matt Longacre are clearly not 100% healthy and it shows giving the Rams a weakness as WILL backer, which is a de facto defensive end slot. It's so dicey that defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has used MIKE backer Cory Littleton at SAM and move the usual SAM backer, Samson Ebukam over to WILL in some looks in a 3-3 nickel base defense if you will. The Rams are trying to generate some edge pressure on quarterbacks and it's not happening very much.
However, on offense, they have been fairly spectacular. Jared Goff has a 111.0 passer rating and 6 TDs and just 2 picks so far and Todd Gurley leads the NFL in the number of carries and rushing touchdowns and is fourth in rushing while also being vital to the passing game. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks has 19 catches for 336 yards in three games for 112.0 a game (fifth in the NFL). Their offensive line from center to left tackle is ancient but very effective. And the right side is not bad, either. So they have the weapons to go 4-0 and beyond.
The game will feature perhaps the best two special teams coordinators in the NFL in John Fassel and Mike Priefer, though Priefer has been plagued by some bad kickers in his time with the Vikings. Fassel will be without Greg Zuerlein for a short time, including this Thursday. Fassel is also will be using his third punt returner of the season that night as well.
Late Thursday we will know.
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| Hat tip to Pro Football Reference for Charts |
The combined record of the four teams they beat was 8-8 but all four ended up in the playoffs so all four were quality wins.
The record of the four defeated teams was 5-11 and only the Denver Broncos ended the season with a winning record (11-5) though they missed the playoffs.
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| Credit: Spokeo |
The offense belonged to Jim Everett (104.0) passing rating, followed up by a 104.9 in 1989) and Greg Bell (Dickerson had been traded the previous season).
The record of the defeated was 5-11 and only the Giants had a winning record by years end.
Two of their early wins were quality over the eventual Super Bowl champs the 49ers and the 10-6 Packers. The combined record of their victims after week four was 8-8.
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| Roman Phifer |
The 5-11 record of the teams the Rams beat was a bit deceiving. The Packers and Bears were quality wins but the Saints and Panthers both ended 7-9 and were "tough outs". Not so much for the Rams who ended 7-9 and going 3-9 the final 3/4 of the season. The running game went south and so did the big advantage in turnovers.
However, the story of those three defenses is another story. In 1999 the Rams had the NFL's top run defense and led the NFL in sacks. Their defensive passer rating was 64.0, second to only the Buccaneers. However, in 2000 the defense was one of the worst in the NFL, 31ist in points allowed and 23rd in yards allowed, and it occurred with virtually the same players. Kevin Carter and D'Marco Farr were injured to varying degrees, but it was a big drop.
So, Martz blew up the defense, hired Lovie Smith and built a facsimile of the Tampa Bay defense. They traded for Aeneas Williams, drafted Damione Lewis, Adam Archuleta, and Ryan Pickett in the first round and Tommy Polley in the second round to be their 'Ronde Barber, Warren Sapp, John Lynch, Booger McFarland. It worked, for a short time (2001 anyway). The defense was 7th in points allowed, 3rd to yards allowed, 3rd in rushing yards allowed and their 69.9 defensive passer rating was sixth.
In 1999 the record of the fallen was 5-12 but none of the teams made the playoffs and the 49ers who were 3-2 after the Rams loss totally nosedived.
So, it's been seventeen years and now Rams are poised to go 4-0 So, again, will 2018 be another 4-0 start?
Dominique Easley and Matt Longacre are clearly not 100% healthy and it shows giving the Rams a weakness as WILL backer, which is a de facto defensive end slot. It's so dicey that defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has used MIKE backer Cory Littleton at SAM and move the usual SAM backer, Samson Ebukam over to WILL in some looks in a 3-3 nickel base defense if you will. The Rams are trying to generate some edge pressure on quarterbacks and it's not happening very much.
However, on offense, they have been fairly spectacular. Jared Goff has a 111.0 passer rating and 6 TDs and just 2 picks so far and Todd Gurley leads the NFL in the number of carries and rushing touchdowns and is fourth in rushing while also being vital to the passing game. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks has 19 catches for 336 yards in three games for 112.0 a game (fifth in the NFL). Their offensive line from center to left tackle is ancient but very effective. And the right side is not bad, either. So they have the weapons to go 4-0 and beyond.
The game will feature perhaps the best two special teams coordinators in the NFL in John Fassel and Mike Priefer, though Priefer has been plagued by some bad kickers in his time with the Vikings. Fassel will be without Greg Zuerlein for a short time, including this Thursday. Fassel is also will be using his third punt returner of the season that night as well.
Late Thursday we will know.
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