What Is 2011 St. Louis Rams football team

Overview

The 2011 St. Louis Rams entered their second season under head coach Steve Spagnuolo after a 7-9 debut in 2010. Despite high hopes for improvement, the team regressed significantly, finishing with a franchise-worst 2-14 record—the poorest in the NFL that season.

Playing their home games at the Edward Jones Dome, the Rams struggled on both offense and defense. Injuries, inconsistent quarterback play, and a weak offensive line contributed to their downfall, leading to major changes in the front office and coaching staff.

• Season record: The Rams finished 2-14, the worst record in the league and their worst since relocating to St. Louis in 1995.
• Home opener win: They began the season with a 30-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints, giving fans brief hope for a turnaround.
• Quarterback performance:Sam Bradford started all 16 games, throwing for 3,512 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
• Defensive struggles: The defense allowed an average of 27.6 points per game, ranking 29th in the NFL.
• Coaching change: Head coach Steve Spagnuolo was fired after the season, ending a two-year tenure with a 10-22 record.

Season Performance and Key Games

The Rams showed flashes of competitiveness early but collapsed down the stretch, losing their final seven games by an average of 18.7 points. Their only wins came in Week 1 against the Saints and Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills.

• Week 1 victory: The Rams defeated the New Orleans Saints 30-27 in a dramatic opener, with Bradford throwing for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Week 10 win: A 15-5 victory over the Buffalo Bills marked their second and final win, the lowest combined score in an NFL game since 1992.
• Week 16 collapse: They were blown out 59-24 by the Detroit Lions, the most points allowed by the Rams since 1969.
• Running game:Steven Jackson rushed for 847 yards and 3 touchdowns, but lacked consistent blocking support.
• Special teams: Kicker Josh Brown made 24 of 28 field goals, providing one of the few reliable aspects of the team.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2011 Rams compared poorly to recent seasons and league averages across key performance metrics:

The Rams ranked near the bottom in nearly every statistical category. Their 12.5 points per game were the lowest in the NFL, and their -14 turnover differential in losses highlighted poor decision-making under pressure.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was a turning point for the Rams franchise, leading to sweeping changes in leadership and philosophy. It underscored the need for a rebuild and ultimately paved the way for future draft investments and coaching hires.

• Front office overhaul: General Manager Billy Devaney was fired, and Les Snead was hired in 2012 to lead football operations.
• Draft implications: The 2-14 record secured the Rams the 2nd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, used on linebacker Trent Richardson (traded to Colts).
• Coaching reset: The firing of Spagnuolo opened the door for Jeff Fisher, who brought stability and a new culture.
• Player development: Sam Bradford’s struggles raised questions about his long-term viability as a franchise QB.
• Relocation foreshadowing: Poor performance and low attendance contributed to long-term discussions about moving the team back to Los Angeles.
• Historical context: The 2-14 record tied the 1999 Rams for worst in franchise history, before their Super Bowl run the year prior.

The 2011 season remains a low point in Rams history, but it served as a catalyst for necessary changes that eventually led to improved competitiveness in the 2010s.