Update: NFL Tracker: Rams rival 49ers overcome the Lions and come from behind to win Super Bowl LVIII…
JAN 28 49ERS TO SUPER BOWL LVIII: The San Francisco 49ers, the bitter rivals of the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West, defeated the Detroit Lions 34-31 at Santa Clara to go to the Super Bowl once again.
Before the half, the Lions, who were once headed by former Rams quarterback Jared Goff, had a dominant 24-7 lead.
However, the 49ers’ strong third quarter leveled the game, and MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey’s late touchdown run sealed the victory.
With no interceptions at the end of the game, Goff completed 25 of 41 for 273 yards and a score, setting the stage for the Lions to make their deepest playoff run in over thirty years.
JAN 6 NACUA TIES GROMAN The Rams’ outstanding rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua needed four catches for 29 yards to tie the record for most catches and yards by a rookie receiver in NFL history going into Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
The Rams had him on the verge of breaking both after a drive in which he was targeted three times. Nacua caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Carson Wentz to level the game at seven points.
Nacua needs two catches and one yard to break both records as of right now. He has two catches for 28 yards and a score.
JAN 3 DARNOLD TO START VS RAMS: The San Francisco 49ers are hoping to use their Sunday regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams to earn extra rest ahead of the postseason, since they already have the NFC’s top seed secured.
Star running back Christian McCaffrey has already been told by the 49ers that he will miss Sunday’s game. According toof Adam Schefter ESPN, backup quarterback Sam Darnold will start in place of quarterback Brock Purdy, who is expected to sit as well.
Throughout his debut season with the 49ers, Darnold—the third overall choice in the 2018 NFL Draft—has seen limited playing time. In nine appearances this season, the former quarterback for the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets has completed 12 of 20 passes for 108 yards and one score.
This game will essentially be a battle of the backups because the Rams will also start Carson Wentz over Matthew Stafford on Sunday.
December 31 RAMS BACK ON TOP The Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants were even for the whole of Sunday’s second quarter until Matthew Stafford’s pass to Cooper Kupp on second and goal gave L.A. late in the first half, a 14–7 lead. Below is a video of the play.
If the Rams triumph against the Pittsburgh Steelers later today and the Seattle Seahawks lose to them, they will guarantee a spot in the playoffs on Sunday.
DEC 24 LIONS CHRISTMAS PRESENT: In terms of postseason placement, the Los Angeles Rams were focused on a couple games this weekend.
The Lions versus Vikings NFC North game was one of such contests. In addition to giving the Rams a significant advantage over the Vikings, a Lions victory would secure the NFC North Title and a postseason berth for the team.
And that’s exactly what happened for Los Angeles; after defeating the Vikings and dropping them to 7-8, Matthew Stafford’s former team opened up a two-game lead for the Rams.
The Rams also expected the Seahawks, Packers, and Falcons to lose, but that did not occur. They will, however, settle for what they can get this week following a decisive victory over the Commanders.
The Bears, who are now ahead of the Arizona Cardinals, will also be a target for the Rams.
DEC 21 STAFFORD TO NACUA FOR FIRST BLOOD On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Rams took the lead thanks to a throwing touchdown from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua on fourth and goal, capping a drive that began deep in their own territory.
The play that put Los Angeles ahead with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter may be seen below.
DEC. 17 WILLIAMS FINDS THE ENDZONE Kyren Williams led the Los Angeles Rams to victory over the Washington Commanders by scoring a touchdown run of one yard to cap off a 10-play drive. a 10-0 lead from the start.
Williams had already amassed 69 yards rushing on 11 rushes after only three offensive drives for the Rams, so his touchdown was just the continuation of a fantastic start.
DEC 10 RAMS BACK IN FRONT The Los Angeles Rams took a 7-3 lead at home on Sunday after the Ravens replied with a touchdown late in the first half after the Rams had taken the lead with a field goal.
After that, the Rams mounted a strong offensive drive that culminated in a Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp pass to take a 10-3 lead. Below is a video of the play.
DEC 3 FIRST CAREER TD FOR ROBINSON: Towards the end of the third quarter, the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns were deadlocked at 13, but a good drive led by Matthew Stafford put L.A. ahead. front and rear.
With seven yards remaining, Stafford found wide out Demarcus Robinson in the end zone to give the Rams the lead once more. It was the receiver’s first touchdown of the season. You can watch the play below. It’s Stafford’s second passing touchdown of the day.
Nov. 26 BACK IN FRONT: On Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams fell behind 8–7 early in the second quarter, but that deficit quickly vanished.
QB Matthew Stafford of the Rams found Tyler Higbee for a five-yard score, and L.A. recovered an early lead over the Arizona Cardinals, a division opponent. For the pair, this was their second scoring connection of the day.
Below is a video of the play.
Nov. 22 HENDERSON RE-SIGNED Darrell Henderson was cut by the Los Angeles Rams, but he was signed again, albeit to the practice squad.
Shortly after designating fellow running back Kyren Williams for return from injured reserve, the Rams confirmed Henderson’s inclusion on their official Twitter account on Wednesday.
21 HENDERSON CUT: Kyren Williams, who had been placed on injured reserve, is now back on the Los Angeles Rams roster after running back Darrell Henderson Jr. was released.
Henderson was returned to Los Angeles. following Williams’ departure due to an ankle injury sustained during the Week 6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, for his second tenure with the team. The 26-year-old, who was teamed with Royce Freeman to help fill the vacuum left by Williams, saw action in four games for the Rams before being cut. He finished with 112 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 46 carries.
But after Freeman’s breakthrough performance against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, when he ran for 73 yards on 17 rushes, Henderson was the Rams’ odd man out. The team is hoping Williams will continue where he left off before getting hurt.
NOV 19 GENO OUT: After being struck in the backfield by defensive end Aaron Donald, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was knocked out of the game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Smith appeared to have had an upper-body injury to his throwing arm after landing hard on his arm during the play. He was brought into the blue medical tent for more assessment.
Drew Lock has moved Smith to the starting lineup, and it is currently uncertain when Smith will be back. Smith had completed 19 of 29 throws for 197 yards and a touchdown at the time of the injury.
Smith’s elbow injury, which has been declared, makes his comeback uncertain at this time.
NOV 14 NEW HOME Despite returning to Los Angeles in 2016, the Rams intend to maintain Los Angeles as their home. The Rams revealed on Tuesday that they will be relocating to their new practice facility for the 2024 season during a celebration at Topanga Village. The new facility will be situated in Woodland Hills, at the intersection of West Oxnard Street and Canoga Avenue.
Rams CEO Kevin Demoff stated, “We are now able to name Woodland Hills and the City of Los Angeles our home, which makes this a historic day for the Los Angeles Rams.” “We are thrilled to broaden our reach and intensify our influence around the city, as Stan Kroenke has shown an unrivaled dedication to this area since bringing the Rams home to Los Angeles.”
The news follows the acquisition of around 100 acres of Woodland Hills land by Rams owner Stan Kroenke almost a year ago.
NOV 13 SEAHAWKS FAVORITES: The Seattle Seahawks, who improved to 6-3 on the season with their victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, are tied atop the NFC West.
The Los Angeles Rams, meanwhile, had a bye week following their third consecutive defeat to the Green Bay Packers.
The Seahawks are relatively modest favorites over the Rams at -2.5, despite their radically dissimilar career paths. The 44.5 mark is the over/under.
On Sunday, the Rams and Seahawks will take the field at 1:25 p.m. PT.
HOW MUCH IS WENTZ PAID IN NOV 9? Details of Carson Wentz’s contract, the new quarterback signed by the Los Angeles Rams, have surfaced.
Field Yates of ESPN reports that Wentz is getting a $150,000 signing bonus on top of a base salary of $1.165 million. But because of the proration of his compensation during the final nine weeks of the NFL season, his total payout comes to $732,500. The Rams’ only liability if he is cut is the $150,000 signing bonus.
Although that’s not a lot of money in the NFL quarterback market, Wentz may take whatever offer he receives because this is his first chance of the season following his release from the Washington Commanders.
NOV 6 RYPIEN GONE According to rumors, the Los Angeles Rams dismissed backup quarterback Brett Rypien on Tuesday following a terrible debut against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Rypien completed 13 of his 28 throws for 130 yards and one interception in his lone start for the team. In addition, he fumbled twice, losing one to Green Bay.
Shortly after signing veteran and former No. 2 overall selection pick Carson Wentz on Tuesday afternoon, the Rams made this move.
Along with these three transactions, the Rams also released quarterback Dresser Winn and waived defensive tackle Cory Durden and running back Myles Gaskin on Tuesday.
November 5, Puka Nacua currently has the rookie record for the most receptions in a season (63) among Rams players.
The record was previously held by Nacua’s teammate Cooper Kupp, who secured it on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
NOV 1 BABY MCVAY: Veronika Khomyn, the wife of Rams head coach Sean McVay, and he welcomed their first child into the world. … and they are now flaunting Baby McVay.
“I’m happy that I met my pumpkin one week ahead of schedule,” Veronika posts on social media. “I can’t believe I waited any longer! Our Halloween baby is already a week old today.”
The snapshot being liked by Khomyn and her 85,000 Instagram followers (and now by you)? See Jordan John McVay for yourself.
OCT 29 RAMS SCORE The Los Angeles Rams are beginning to turn things around after a disastrous first half against the Dallas Cowboys, in which they trailed 33-3 at one point in the second quarter.
Building on their first-half touchdown, Matthew Stafford found Ben Skowronek for a touchdown to put the Rams in the end zone once more.
Next, Tutu Atwell would pass to Stafford off a reverse to score the try and earn the Rams a two-point conversion as well.
As the third quarter begins, the Rams are now behind 33-17.
OCT 25 BABY MCVAY ARRIVES According to a message from the team’s official Twitter account, the son of Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay and his wife Veronika Khomyn was delivered on Wednesday evening after a few weeks of anticipation.
“Jordan John McVay was delivered,” the Rams’ Twitter feed stated.
Before the Rams’ 24-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sean McVay assured the media that his son “knows better” than to be born during a game, keeping his father’s promise.
OCT 24 MAHER RELEASED: The Los Angeles Rams confirmed the dismissal of kicker Brett Maher following their heartbreaking 24-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Maher’s failure to convert two field goals and an extra point, which if converted, may have decided the game, contributed significantly to the Steelers’ defeat.
Maher was 16 of 20 (80%) for the season before to Sunday, and he was flawless 4 of 4 in the Rams’ victory over the Cardinals the previous week.
Though Maher made only 66% of his kicks in 2019 prior to being cut by the Dallas Cowboys, he has a history of having trouble with the kicker position.
OCT 20 HENDERSON ACTIVE: The Los Angeles Rams signed veterans Darrell Henderson and Myles Gaskin this week after losing their top two backs to injuries last week against the Arizona Cardinals.
Sean McVay stated on Friday that Henderson has been moved to the active roster and may play against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Prior to the week, rookie Zach Evans was predicted to receive the most of the carries; however, this could alter now that Henderson is acquainted with the offense.
“Darrell (Henderson) returned, and I loved what I saw from all four (running backs),” said Sean McVay. This week, he’s going to be an active and engaged guy. He’s done an excellent job of swiftly acclimating himself to many of the activities we’ve engaged in. He looks after himself well.”
OCT 18 CARDINALS ACTIVATE MURRAY AND BAKER The Arizona Cardinals have designated both quarterback Kyler Murray and safety Budda Baker for return from the injured reserve on Wednesday. This could mean that two of the team’s key starters will be back on the field when they play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Lumen Field.
The news that Murray, the former first overall pick, will be making his practice comeback was later verified by Murray on his own Twitter account. Murray has been out since the Cardinals’ Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots last season due to an ACL tear.
Baker is also expected to make a comeback from a hamstring injury he sustained during practice, which occurred only a few days prior to the Cardinals’ Week 2 defeat to the New York Giants.
OCT 15 HEKKER HEADBUTT: After headbutting Miami Dolphins linebacker Cameron Goode on Sunday afternoon, former Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker went viral.
The Panthers would lose 42-21; the incident happened with 9:55 remaining in the fourth quarter, with Miami already comfortably ahead in the game.
In his second season with the Panthers, Hekker’s average punt return is 48.3 yards.
Hekker averaged 46.7 yards per punt over his ten years with the Rams, playing for both the St. Louis and Los Angeles teams.
OCT 11 PRACTICE SQUAD ADDITION: According to the Los Angeles Rams’ Twitter account, second-year linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi filled the void left by Austin Trammel’s promotion to the 53-man roster last week.
Even though Fatukasi is only in his second season as a professional, the former Rutgers Scarlet Knight has already spent time with four different organizations before joining the Rams practice squad.
He bounced about the previous offseason, playing for the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs, most recently before he was cut. He appeared in 13 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.
OCT 8 STAFFORD TO TUTU The Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles may not have had the best of starts as the Rams fell behind early in the game, 7-0.
But the Rams immediately leveled things out as the recently healthy Cooper Kupp returned to the starting lineup. Kupp led a counterattack scoring drive that culminated in a Matthew Stafford touchdown reception to Tutu Atwell.
In the first quarter of the game against Philadelphia, Stafford has completed seven of ten throws for 65 yards, while Kupp has five receptions for 56 yards on six targets.
OCT 6 KUPP comeback OFFICIAL Coach Sean McVay gave the Los Angeles Rams faithful wonderful news on Friday, stating that standout wide receiver Cooper Kupp will make his official comeback to the starting lineup on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kupp returned to practice on Wednesday after missing the team’s first four games due to a hamstring ailment that forced him onto injured reserve.
McVay told the media on Wednesday, “He said he’s feeling pretty good. I trust him.” He’s a really experienced athlete who understands his body quite well, so there will be constant communication.”
Kupp also missed most of the previous season due to an injury.
As Kupp’s replacement, youngster Puka Nacua has taken the field by storm, leading the NFL in targets (52) and receptions (39) while ranking third in the league in receiving yards (501).
OCT 1 KYREN EARLY TDs: With the Rams leading the Colts 14-0 early in the game, rushing back Kyren Williams scores his second touchdown of the day. This is his third multi-TD performance in the first four weeks of the season.
How did they appear?
Something along those lines, as the unexpectedly competitive Rams appear to be doing just well in the post-Cam Akers era.
OCT 1 INACTIVES RELEASED: The Los Angeles Rams have made their inactive list public only one hour before they kick off against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Lieutenant Alaric Jackson
Zach Evans, RB
Zach Thomas, an OL
Brown, DE Earnest
SEPT 25 NOTEBOOM INJURED The Los Angeles Rams’ Monday Night Football game against the Bengals may have ended badly in the third quarter.
Joe Noteboom, the offensive lineman for the Rams, was forced to leave the game with what appeared to be an upper-body injury with just two minutes remaining in the third quarter and the team behind 16-9.
Noteboom and the training staff proceeded straight to the locker room.
Tremayne Anchrum took Noteboom’s place at guard.
The Rams drive was halted when Anchrum was flagged for a personal foul on his first play after replacing Noteboom.
Since then, Noteboom has rejoined the lineup.
SEPT 25 RAMS ACTIVATE FREEMAN The Los Angeles Rams have made two moves to bolster their game-day roster ahead of their Monday Night Football battle against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The most important of those changes is the promotion of running back Royce Freeman, who, following the trade of Cam Akers, will probably be Kyren Williams’ backup.
Austin Trammell, a wide receiver, was also added by the Rams to the active roster.
SEPT 14 RAMS SIGN RYPIEN The Los Angeles Rams have added Brett Rypien to the 53-man roster following the departure of rookie backup quarterback Stetson Bennett on Wednesday to the Reserve/NFI list.
In the team’s Week 2 encounter against the San Francisco 49ers, Rypien will be Matthew Stafford’s primary backup.
With three starts in eight professional games, the 26-year-old Rypien—who shone at Boise State en route to winning Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2018—has a 2-1 record.
Despite throwing eight interceptions, Rypien has completed 61.5 percent of his throws for 778 yards and four touchdowns on 130 attempts.
SEPT 8 RAMS MISSING 3 IN WEEK 1 The Los Angeles Rams will play without tight end Hunter Long, quarterback Stetson Bennett, and wide receiver Cooper Kupp in their season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, as head coach Sean McVay confirmed on Wednesday.
It’s possible that Kupp is placed on injured reserve.
In order to rest before Sunday, wide receiver Van Jefferson and offensive lineman Brian Allen skipped practice on Friday.
Running back Kenny McIntosh and safety Jamal Adams will be absent for the Seahawks, while guard Damien Lewis and cornerback Devon Witherspoon are all classified as questionable due to hamstring and shoulder issues, respectively.
Nine other players from Seattle, including wide receivers Cody Thompson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, nose tackle Jarran Reed, defensive end Mike Morris, and linebackers Jordyn Brooks, Boye Mafe, Derick Hall, and Darrell Taylor, were listed as active on Friday’s injury report. The only player who was limited during practice on Friday was Walker, who sustained a groin injury.
SEPT 8 KUPP TO IR? The Los Angeles Rams were missing receiver Cooper Kupp, maybe their best offensive weapon, for a significant chunk of the previous campaign.
It appears that the 2023 season might start similarly as of right now.
Kupp, tight end Hunter Long, and rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett are the three players who might wind up on the injured reserve list, according to Rams coach Sean McVay.
The likelihood of losing all three players, according to McVay, is a “clear possibility.” If the players are placed on injured reserve, they will have to miss a minimum of four games.
AUG 30 RAMS SIGN KICKER: It seems the Los Angeles Rams have figured out how to solve their kicker dilemma.
The Denver Broncos recently released former Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher, who the Rams are reportedly signing. Maher ended the preseason by making four of his six field goals and failing to miss any extra points.
Maher, 33, will be seeking to restore his reputation as a dependable kicker in Los Angeles after losing his job in Dallas after making just one of his five extra-point attempts in the Cowboys’ wild-card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.
AUG 30 BEARS CLAIM EX RAM According to a report from Ian Rapoport, the Chicago Bears have claimed safety Quindell Johnson, formerly of the Los Angeles Rams, off the waiver wire. This makes Johnson the first player that the Rams cut to have been claimed by another team, preventing L.A. from adding him back to their practice squad.
The undrafted rookie out of Memphis, Johnson, recorded eight tackles, one sack, and a pass breakup in his last preseason game against the Denver Broncos. However, despite his impressive performance, Johnson was not included in the 53-man roster in Los Angeles.
AUG 27 RAMS ADDING OL According to rumors from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Los Angeles Rams are dealing for Steelers guard Kevin Dotson in an effort to deepen their offensive line.
The agreement’s conditions are still undisclosed.
Dotson has appeared in 39 games and started 30 of them throughout his three seasons with the Steelers. In 2022, Dotson started all 17 of the Steelers’ games.
The former No. 3 overall pick was traded by the Cowboys to San Francisco in return for a fourth-round pick.
AUG 26 49ERS TRADE LANCE On Saturday night, the San Francisco 49ers pulled off one of the more surprising trades of the summer, sending quarterback Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys.
The former No. 3 overall pick was traded by the Cowboys to San Francisco in return for a fourth-round pick.
According to a source, Dallas views the 23-year-old former third overall pick as a “prospect” rather than a danger to Dak Prescott’s organizational goals. As our Mike Fisher puts it, a “dart.”
Additionally, it appears that the 49ers have placed all of their faith in Brock Purdy, who will start at quarterback for the Rams against San Francisco in Week 2.
AUG 24 CARDINALS TRADE ISAIAH SIMMONS: Per a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Arizona Cardinals are trading their hybrid linebacker/safety, Isaiah Simmons, to the New York Giants.
While Simmons plays the last year of his rookie contract in New York, the Cardinals will receive the Giants’ 2024 seventh-round selection in return for the former first-round NFL Draft pick.
A total of 99 tackles, five for a loss, four sacks, two interceptions, seven passes defended, and one forced fumble were recorded by Simmons during his 17 games played for the Cardinals in the previous season.
AUG 18 ROBERT QUINN ARRESTED According to TMZ Sports, former Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn was taken into custody on Friday morning in South Carolina and charged with assault and hit-and-run. Quinn was lodged in Dorchester County jail.
Quinn is alleged to have “smashed into four automobiles, a lamp post, and a gate” before escaping the scene, according to the report.
Quinn, 33, was selected by the then-St. Louis Rams with the 14th overall pick in the 2011 draft. He was a member of the organization until 2017, following the Rams’ relocation to Los Angeles. During his 169 career games, Quinn has recorded 102 sacks.
AUGUST 14 RAMS CUT LECOUNTE Following their preseason defeat by the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, the Los Angeles Rams declared on Monday afternoon that safety Richard LeCounte had been dismissed.
LeCounte, a third-year safety from the University of Georgia, had a difficult first preseason game. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall score of 35.8 after he allowed two receptions and a touchdown while making three tackles.
Considering that LeCounte was considered a long shot to make the 53-man roster—especially with John Johnson III back in the lineup—his departure from the Rams isn’t entirely surprising.
Sean McVay, the coach, is admitting that additional assistance may be needed at outside linebacker and defensive tackle.
AUGUST 7 RAMS RE-SIGN JOHNSON: According to Rams beat writer Jake Ellenbogen, the Los Angeles Rams added a familiar face to their secondary on Monday: safety John Johnson.
After being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Johnson played his first four seasons with the Rams, starting 48 of the team’s 54 games and racking up 350 total tackles, 32 passes defended, and eight interceptions.
After leaving in 2021 to sign a three-year contract with the Cleveland Browns, where he has played well for the past two seasons, Johnson is now back where he started his career—as a veteran presence for the Rams’ young secondary—despite the Browns having released him in March for cap reasons.
AUGUST 5 RAMS SIGN TE: Florida State standout Camren McDonald was added to the Los Angeles Rams’ tight end depth on Saturday morning.
In 2022, McDonald caught 21 passes for 312 yards and one touchdown while playing for the Seminoles.
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