2011 St. Louis Rams season

The 2011 season was the St. Louis Rams' 74th in the National Football League, their 17th in St. Louis, and their third and final season under head coach Steve Spagnuolo. They finished with a 2–14 record – a failure to improve on their 7–9 record from 2010 – and the day after the season finale, head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney were fired from the team.

2011 St. Louis Rams season
Head coach	Steve Spagnuolo
General manager	Billy Devaney
Owner	Stan Kroenke
Home field	Edward Jones Dome
Results
Record	2–14
Division place	4th NFC West
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	none
Team MVP	Steven Jackson
Team ROY	Robert Quinn

The Rams' offense was among the worst in the league in 2011. They scored only 193 points (12.1 points per game), last in the league, and 11th-fewest all-time for a 16-game season.[1] Their −214 point differential was last in the league.[2]

Football Outsiders ranked St. Louis the worst team in the league, per play, in 2011.[3] The 2012 Football Outsiders Almanac, however, noted that the Rams went from the league's easiest schedule in 2010 to the league's hardest schedule in 2011.[4]

With their 2–14 record, the Rams capped a stretch from 2007 to 2011 in which they went 15–65, which was at the time the worst five-season span in NFL history. This mark has since been matched by the Cleveland Browns of 2013 to 2017.

Offseason

Coaching changes

On January 18, the Rams hired former Denver Broncos' head coach Josh McDaniels as the team's new offensive coordinator, replacing Pat Shurmur, who became the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns five days earlier (January 13).[5][6]

2011 draft board

Main article: 2011 NFL Draft

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College
1	14	Robert Quinn	DE	North Carolina
2	47	Lance Kendricks	TE	Wisconsin
3	78	Austin Pettis	WR	Boise State
4	112	Greg Salas	WR	Hawai'i
5	158 ^[a]	Jermale Hines	S	Ohio State
6	^[b]
7	216	Mikail Baker	CB	Baylor
7	228 ^[b]	Jabara Williams	LB	Stephen F. Austin
7	229 ^[a]	Jonathan Nelson	S	Oklahoma

^{^[a]} The Rams traded its sixth-round selection (#145 overall) to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for the Falcons' sixth-round selection (#158 overall) and their seventh-round selection (#229 overall).

^{^[b]} The Rams traded its sixth-round selection (#180 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the Ravens' seventh-round selection (#228 overall) and WR Mark Clayton.

Staff

St. Louis Rams 2011 staff
	Front Office Owner/Chairman – Stan Kroenke Owner/Vice Chairman – Chip Rosenbloom Owner/Chair of Community Outreach – Lucia Rodriguez General Manager – Billy Devaney 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 Head Coach – Steve Spagnuolo Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator – Josh McDaniels Running Backs – Sylvester Croom Wide Receivers – Nolan Cromwell Tight Ends – Frank Leonard Offensive Line – Steve Loney Quality Control/Offense – Andy Sugarman			Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator – Ken Flajole Defensive Line – Brendan Daly Linebackers – Paul Ferraro Defensive Backs/Cornerbacks – Clayton Lopez Defensive Backs/Safeties – Andre Curtis Quality Control/Defense – Matt House Special Teams Coaches Special Teams Coordinator – Tom McMahon Quality Control/Special Teams – Derius Swinton Strength and Conditioning Strength – Rock Gullickson Assistant Strength – Adam Bailey Coaching Assistants Lou Paolillo

Final roster

2011 St. Louis Rams final roster

	Quarterbacks  8 Sam Bradford 12 Tom Brandstater 10 Kellen Clemens  4 A. J. Feeley Running backs 39 Steven Jackson 34 Jerious Norwood 35 Quinn Porter KR 33 Cadillac Williams Wide receivers 84 Danario Alexander 15 Dominique Curry 11 Brandon Gibson 83 Brandon Lloyd 17 Nick Miller PR Tight ends 47 Billy Bajema 41 Benjamin Guidugli FB 88 Lance Kendricks 82 Mike McNeill 81 Stephen Spach		Offensive linemen 60 Jason Brown C/G 62 Harvey Dahl G 73 Adam Goldberg T/G 70 Kevin Hughes G 79 Mark LeVoir T 67 Bryan Mattison G/C 72 Thomas Welch T 64 Tony Wragge G/C Defensive linemen 99 C. J. Ah You DE 95 Justin Bannan DT 71 Gary Gibson DT 96 James Hall DE 91 Chris Long DE 94 Robert Quinn DE 98 Fred Robbins DT 97 Darell Scott DT 92 Eugene Sims DE		Linebackers 57 Chris Chamberlain OLB 52 Justin Cole ILB 50 Bryan Kehl OLB 55 James Laurinaitis MLB 53 David Nixon OLB 51 Brady Poppinga OLB Defensive backs 37 James Butler SS/FS 43 Craig Dahl SS/FS 38 Josh Gordy CB 26 Rod Hood CB 21 Justin King CB 27 Quintin Mikell FS 30 Nate Ness CB 36 Chris Smith CB 20 Darian Stewart SS Special teams  3 Josh Brown K  5 Donnie Jones P 44 Jacob McQuaide LS		Reserve lists 16 Danny Amendola WR (IR) 24 Ron Bartell CB (IR) 63 Jacob Bell G (IR) 89 Mark Clayton WR (IR) 93 Jermelle Cudjo DT (IR) 32 Bradley Fletcher CB (IR) 31 Al Harris CB (IR) 86 Michael Hoomanawanui TE (IR) 56 Josh Hull ILB (IR) 22 Brian Jackson CB/FS (IR) 25 Marquis Johnson CB (IR) 49 Brit Miller FB (IR) 23 Jerome Murphy CB (IR) 18 Austin Pettis WR (Suspended) 76 Rodger Saffold T (IR) 87 Greg Salas WR (IR) 77 Jason Smith OT (IR) Practice squad 90 Cornell Banks DT 61 Tim Barnes C 42 Kendric Burney CB -- John Chiles WR -- DeMarco Cosby TE/FB 66 John Henderson DT 68 Ryan McKee OT 46 Chase Reynolds RB Rookies in italics 53 active, 17 inactive, 8 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

The Rams' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	NFL.com recap
HOF	August 7	vs. Chicago Bears	Cancelled due to the 2011 NFL Lockout[7]
1	August 13	Indianapolis Colts	W 33–10	1–0	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
2	August 20	Tennessee Titans	W 17–16	2–0	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
3	August 26	at Kansas City Chiefs	W 14–10	3–0	Arrowhead Stadium	Recap
4	September 1	at Jacksonville Jaguars	W 24–17	4–0	EverBank Field	Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	NFL.com recap
1	September 11	Philadelphia Eagles	L 13–31	0–1	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
2	September 19	at New York Giants	L 16–28	0–2	MetLife Stadium	Recap
3	September 25	Baltimore Ravens	L 7–37	0–3	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
4	October 2	Washington Redskins	L 10–17	0–4	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
5	Bye
6	October 16	at Green Bay Packers	L 3–24	0–5	Lambeau Field	Recap
7	October 23	at Dallas Cowboys	L 7–34	0–6	Cowboys Stadium	Recap
8	October 30	New Orleans Saints	W 31–21	1–6	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
9	November 6	at Arizona Cardinals	L 13–19 (OT)	1–7	University of Phoenix Stadium	Recap
10	November 13	at Cleveland Browns	W 13–12	2–7	Cleveland Browns Stadium	Recap
11	November 20	Seattle Seahawks	L 7–24	2–8	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
12	November 27	Arizona Cardinals	L 20–23	2–9	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
13	December 4	at San Francisco 49ers	L 0–26	2–10	Candlestick Park	Recap
14	December 12	at Seattle Seahawks	L 13–30	2–11	CenturyLink Field	Recap
15	December 18	Cincinnati Bengals	L 13–20	2–12	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
16	December 24	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 0–27	2–13	Heinz Field	Recap
17	January 1	San Francisco 49ers	L 27–34	2–14	Edward Jones Dome	Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week One: Philadelphia Eagles at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	14	3	7	7	31
Rams	7	3	3	0	13

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: September 11
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
• Game attendance: 56,722
• Referee: Gene Steratore
• TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin

Game information

First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers PHI – Michael Vick: 14/32 187 Yds, 2 TD, 0 INT, 11 Rush, 97 Yds STL – Sam Bradford: 17/30 188 Yds Top rushers PHI – LeSean McCoy: 15 Att, 122 Yds, 1 Rush TD, 2 Rec, 15 Yds, 1 Rec TD STL – Carnell Williams: 19 Att, 91 Yds, 5 Rec, 49 Yds Top receivers PHI – DeSean Jackson: 6 Rec, 102 Yds, 1 TD STL – Brandon Gibson: 3 Rec, 50 Yds Top tacklers PHI – Jamar Chaney: 6 Tackles STL – Craig Dahl: 8 Tackles, 1 Assist

With the loss, the Rams started the season 0–1.

Week 2: at New York Giants

Week Two: St. Louis Rams at New York Giants – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	6	0	10	0	16
Giants	7	14	7	0	28

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: September 19
• Game time: 8:30 p.m. EDT/7:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 60°F (Clear)
• Game attendance: 78,290
• Referee: Terry McAulay
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden

Game information

First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers STL – Sam Bradford – 22/46, 331 YDS, TD, 0 INT NYG – Eli Manning – 18/29, 200 YDS, 2 TD, INT Top rushers STL – Cadillac Williams – 13 CAR, 36 YDS NYG – Ahmad Bradshaw – 15 CAR, 59 YDS Top receivers STL – Danario Alexander – 3 REC, 122 YDS, TD NYG – Mario Manningham – 3 REC, 56 YDS Top tacklers STL – James Laurinaitis – 9 TKL, 5 AST NYG – Antrel Rolle – 8 TKL, AST

With the loss, the Rams fell to 0–2.

Week 3: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Three: Baltimore Ravens at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Ravens	21	6	3	7	37
Rams	0	0	7	0	7

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: September 25
• Game time: 3:05 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
• Game attendance: 56,289
• Referee: Scott Green
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers BAL – STL – Top rushers BAL – STL – Top receivers BAL – STL – Top tacklers BAL – STL –

With the loss, the Rams fell to 0–3.

Week 4: vs. Washington Redskins

Week Four: Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	7	7	3	0	17
Rams	0	0	0	10	10

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: October 2
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
• Game attendance: 56,113
• Referee: Walt Coleman
• TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers & Tim Ryan

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers WAS – STL – Top rushers WAS – STL – Top receivers WAS – STL – Top tacklers WAS – STL –

With the loss, the Rams went into their bye week at 0–4.

Week 6: at Green Bay Packers

Week Six: St. Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	3	0	0	3
Packers	3	21	0	0	24

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Date: October 16
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 57°F (Partly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 70,604
• Referee: Ed Hochuli
• TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers and Tim Ryan

Game information

First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers STL – Sam Bradford – 29/45, 328 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT GB – Aaron Rodgers – 18/29, 316 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT Top rushers STL – Steven Jackson – 18 rushes, 96 yards GB – James Starks – 13 rushes, 49 yards Top receivers STL – Danario Alexander – 6 receptions, 91 yards GB – Jordy Nelson – 2 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD Top tacklers STL – Chris Chamberlain – 6 tackles GB – Desmond Bishop – 9 tackles

Coming off of their bye week in week 5, the Rams traveled to Lambeau Field to take on the undefeated Packers. The loss dropped the team to 0–5.

Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys

Week Seven: St. Louis Rams at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	7	0	0	7
Cowboys	7	10	3	14	34

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

• Date: October 23
• Game time: 3:15 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
• Game attendance: 80,086
• Referee: Alberto Riveron
• TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and John Lynch

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers STL – AJ Feeley DAL –Tony Romo Top rushers STL – Steven Jackson DAL – DeMarco Murray Top receivers STL – Brandon Lloyd DAL – Dez Bryant Top tacklers STL – Quintin Mikell DAL – Abram Elam

With the loss, the Rams dropped to 0–6.

Week 8: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Eight: New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	0	0	7	14	21
Rams	0	17	7	7	31

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: October 30
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
• Game attendance: 57,179
• Referee: Walt Anderson
• TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers and Tim Ryan

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers NO – STL – Top rushers NO – STL – Top receivers NO – STL – Top tacklers NO – STL –

This home game for the team also had a celebration of the St. Louis Cardinals showing off the World Series trophy. The Rams would then go on to win this game and improve to 1–6.

Week 9: at Arizona Cardinals

Week Nine: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Rams	3	6	4	0	0	13
Cardinals	3	0	3	7	6	19

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

• Date: November 6
• Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST/2:15 p.m. MST
• Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
• Game attendance: 60,628
• Referee: Ron Winter
• TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Chad Pennington

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers STL – ARI – Top rushers STL – ARI – Top receivers STL – ARI – Top tacklers STL – ARI –

The Rams' third quarter was the first time in NFL history that a team had recorded four points in a quarter.

With the loss, the Rams fell to 1–7 and last place in the NFC West. [8]

Week 10: at Cleveland Browns

Week Ten: St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	10	0	3	13
Browns	3	6	3	0	12

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

• Date: November 13
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 60°F (Dry / Windy Gusting to Gale Force)
• Game attendance: 64,900
• Referee: Clete Blakeman
• TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Jim Mora, Jr. and Drea Avent

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers STL – CLE – Top rushers STL – CLE – Top receivers STL – CLE – Top tacklers STL – CLE –

With the close win, the Rams improved to 2–7.

Week 11: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week Eleven: Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	0	10	7	7	24
Rams	7	0	0	0	7

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: November 20
• Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
• Game attendance: 56,400
• Referee: Carl Cheffers
• TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SEA – STL – Top rushers SEA – STL – Top receivers SEA – STL – Top tacklers SEA – STL –

With the loss, the Rams dropped to 2–8.

Week 12: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week Twelve: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	3	0	17	3	23
Rams	7	3	0	10	20

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: November 27
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
• Game attendance: 56,029
• Referee: Mike Carey
• TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington and Tina Cervasio

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ARI – STL – Top rushers ARI – STL – Top receivers ARI – STL – Top tacklers ARI – STL –

With the loss, the Rams dropped to 2–9 securing them their 5th straight losing season.

Week 13: at San Francisco 49ers

Week Thirteen: St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	0	0	0	0
49ers	3	6	10	7	26

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

• Date: December 4
• Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST/1:15 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 53°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 69,732
• Referee: Pete Morelli
• TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers and Tim Ryan

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers STL – SF – Top rushers STL – SF – Top receivers STL – SF – Top tacklers STL – SF –

With the loss, the Rams fell to 2–10.

Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Fourteen: St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	3	3	7	13
Seahawks	10	0	10	10	30

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

• Date: December 12
• Game time: 7:30 p.m. CST/5:30 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 40°F (Clear)
• Game attendance: 66,577
• Referee: Bill Leavy
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden and Rachel Nichols

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers STL – SEA – Top rushers STL – SEA – Top receivers STL – SEA – Top tacklers STL – SEA –

With the loss, the Rams fell to 2–11 and were swept by the Seahawks for the first time since 2009.

Week 15: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Fifteen: Cincinnati Bengals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	3	0	10	7	20
Rams	0	6	0	7	13

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: December 18
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
• Game attendance: 56,431
• Referee: Jerome Boger
• TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CIN – STL – Top rushers CIN – STL – Top receivers CIN – STL – Top tacklers CIN – STL –

With the loss, the Rams fell to 2–12.

Week 16: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Sixteen: St. Louis Rams at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	0	0	0	0
Steelers	3	7	3	14	27

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: December 24
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 36°F (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 60,081
• Referee: Clete Blakeman
• TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton & John Lynch

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers STL – PIT – Top rushers STL – PIT – Top receivers STL – PIT – Top tacklers STL – PIT –

This game became the Steelers' 2nd shutout win of the season as the Rams dropped to 2–13.

Week 17: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week Seventeen: San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	7	13	7	7	34
Rams	7	0	3	17	27

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: January 1
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
• Game attendance: 55,990
• Referee: Jeff Triplette
• TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan, & Jaime Maggio

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SF – STL – Top rushers SF – STL – Top receivers SF – STL – Top tacklers SF – STL –

With the loss, the Rams finished the season at 2–14 tied with the Colts for the league's worst record.

Standings

NFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
^(2) San Francisco 49ers	13	3	0	.813	5–1	10–2	380	229	W3
Arizona Cardinals	8	8	0	.500	4–2	7–5	312	348	W1
Seattle Seahawks	7	9	0	.438	3–3	6–6	321	315	L2
St. Louis Rams	2	14	0	.125	0–6	1–11	193	407	L7

Notes and references

1. Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1978 to 2012, in the regular season, sorted by ascending Points For.
2. Pro-Football-Reference: In a single season, in 2011, in the regular season, sorted by ascending Points Differential
3. Football Outsiders: Final 2011 DVOA Ratings
4. Football Outsiders Almanac 2012 (ISBN 978-1-4782-0152-6), p.216-217: "In 2011, St. Louis became the first person in [Football Outsiders' history] (1991–2011) to go from the easiest schedule one season to the hardest schedule the next."
5. "Shurmur Named Head Coach of Cleveland Browns". therams.com. January 13, 2011. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
6. "Rams Name McDaniels Offensive Coordinator". therams.com. January 18, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
7. "NFL cancels Bears-Rams Hall of Fame Game". Chicago Bears. July 21, 2011. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
8. King, Peter (November 7, 2011). "Super deja vu for Manning, Giants in clutch win over Patriots". Sports Illustrated. Monday Morning QB. p. 3. Archived from the original on 2011-11-07. Retrieved November 7, 2011.