The Rams have improved on their 4–12 record from last season for their first non-losing season record since 2006. With a win against the New Orleans Saints, they clinched their first non-losing season since 2006. With a win over the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams clinched their first winning season since 2003. The team played a game in London, England at Twickenham Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 as one of the NFL London Games. For the second consecutive year, the Rams started out in first place in the NFC West with a 3–1 record. The Rams also scored 107 points in the first three games of the season, the second highest in franchise history and a league leader. On Christmas Eve, the Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans 27–23 to clinch the NFC West for the first time since 2003 and their first playoff berth since 2004. This was also their first division title as the Los Angeles Rams since the 1985 season.
Offseason
Coaching changes
On January 20: The Rams hired Sean McVay as the team's new head coach. Interim head coach John Fassel had replaced Jeff Fisher following Fisher's firing in Week 12 of 2016.
The Rams underwent a moderate uniform change, removing New Century Gold from their helmets and pants while leaving their jerseys unchanged. The Rams allowed their fans to decide on which pants stripes and facemask color they wanted the team to use via polls on their social media pages, with a single navy striped pants and white facemask winning.[1]
The Rams traded their 2017 first-round selection (No. 5 overall), a 2017 third-round compensatory selection (No. 100 overall), along with their 2016 first-, two second– and third-round selections to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for the Titans' 2016 first-, fourth- and sixth round selections.
The Rams were awarded an additional compensatory selection — No. 141 overall.
The Rams started their season at home against the Colts. The Rams started their season 1-0 with a blowout win over the Colts 46-9 and Sean McVay starts his head coaching career as the youngest coach to win in his professional debut.
Week 2: vs. Washington Redskins
Week Two: Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Redskins
3
17
0
7
27
Rams
0
10
7
3
20
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
In one of the closest games of the 2017 NFL season and Thursday Night Football, the Rams wear their all Gold Rush uniforms. The Rams and 49ers put up many points making this a close game, but it was the Rams that ended up winning 41-39. Sean McVay earns his second head coach career win and quarterback Jared Goff made a career high three touchdowns. Todd Gurley scores for 2 TDS and Sammy Watkins had a career high 6 receptions. Tight-end Tyler Higbee also had a career-high 4 receptions.
The Rams improved to 2-1.
Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys
Week Four: Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
In what turned out to be one of the biggest upsets in the 2017 season, the Los Angeles Rams turned a 16-24 deficit into a 35-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys. With this victory, the Rams improved to 3-1 and for the second consecutive week the team led the NFC West.
Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week Five: Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Seahawks
0
10
3
3
16
Rams
0
10
0
0
10
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
The game started off explosive with receiver Pharoh Cooper getting a return touchdown in seconds of the opening game giving Cooper's first career touchdown. The Jaguars responded by having running back Leonard Fournette rush for the touchdown followed by another through quarterback Blake Bortles to a receiver giving the Jaguars a 10-14 lead over the Rams, however the lead wouldn't last as Jared Goff would hit tight end Gerald Everett in his first career touchdown, giving their team a 17-14. which would be further extended by a blocked punt by linebacker Cory Littleton and picked up by running back Malcolm Brown to the Rams third touchdown with a 24-14 lead. In the second quarter and for the rest of the game, both the Rams and Jaguars defenses dominated with their offenses doing little but the former team was shutting down the Jaguars offense and even had Leonard Fournette injured, on a drive Blake Bortles had accidentally fumbled the ball which was recovered by center Cam Robinson but later Mercedes Lewis had the ball tipped and led to an interception by cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman but the Rams were unable to capitalize on it, the Jaguars then made another field goal that cut the Rams lead to 24-17. On one drive, Robert Woods dropped a pass that was later ruled a fumble and a recovery by the Jaguars defense. The Rams later extended their lead to 27-17 with Greg Zuerlein making his second field goal of the game, the Jaguars then tried to make a late field goal in the final seconds of the game only to miss with the Rams winning the game.
With that victory, the Rams record improved to 4-2, once again sitting atop first place in the NFC West.
This game turned out to be a shutout/blowout victory for the Los Angeles Rams in their second NFL International Series game at Twickenham Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals, Jared Goff threw for 235 yards and had 1 touchdown with only 1 interception, Todd Gurley had his fourth-100 yard game with 106 yards, 4.8 average, 4 receptions, and 1 touchdown, Cooper Kupp had 4 receptions, 51 yards, 12.8 average, and an 18-yard touchdown, and Greg Zuerlein completed 4 field goals. The Rams defense shut down Adrian Peterson for the game and prevented any points scored by the Cardinals offense as they had multiple drives which resulted in punts, a missed field goal, and 2 interceptions by the Rams defense (Lamarcus Joyner and Mark Barron respectively), the Cardinals failed to score any points throughout the game. Carson Palmer was injured and did not come back for the rest of the game and Drew Stanton had to start for the rest of the game, Both Palmer and Stanton were sacked once by the Rams defense (Aaron Donald and Ethan Westbrooks respectively) and had at least one interception, Stanton fumbled the ball which was recovered by a Cardinals center for 4th down. The Cardinals defense allowed the Rams offense to gain 425 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 4 field goals on 6 of their possessions. This game was also the Cardinals first blowout loss since 2012 (a 58-0 loss against the Seattle Seahawks) and was the Rams first shutout victory since 2014 (when they had two wins over the Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins both ending in shutout).
With the win, the Rams advance into the bye at 5-2 for the first time 2003 sitting firmly atop the NFC West first place. They also improved on their record from last season.
Week 9: at New York Giants
Week Nine: Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants – Game summary
In the Meadowlands of East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Rams put a dominating performance against the New York Giants handing them their worst loss of the season (since 1964 against the Cleveland Browns). Jared Goff had one of his best games, throwing for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns, Todd Gurley having 2 touchdowns while Robert Woods having a career high 4 touchdowns. Tight end Tyler Higbee and wide receiver Sammy Watkins having at least 1 touchdown. The Rams defense also forced 3 turnovers on the Giants offense 2 of which were strip-sacks and 1 was an interception by Trumaine Johnson in each case it resulted in the Rams scoring (2 touchdowns, 1 field goal conversion). The Rams special teams also contributed to the game by extending their team's lead and a blocked punt by Cory Littleton setting up a touchdown by the offense.
With this stunningly impressive performance against the Giants, the Rams advanced to 6-2 with a first place lead in the NFC West.
Week 10: vs. Houston Texans
Week Ten: Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Texans
0
7
0
0
7
Rams
3
6
21
3
33
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
LAR – Robert Woods – 8 receptions, 171 yards, 2 TD
Although it was a relatively slow game in the first half for both the Rams and Texans, the second half was a stark contrast as Goff had a career-high 355 yards and 3 touchdowns (surpassing the total from his team's 51-17 blowout win over the New York Giants). One was a 94-yard pass to Robert Woods (the third-longest touchdown pass in Rams history) and 1 a pass to Sammy Watkins. Meanwhile the Rams defense caused 4 turnovers on the Texans 2 of which were strip sack recoveries from Connor Barwin and Samson Ebukam while the other 2 were interceptions (one was by strong safety Blake Countess). The game ended in a Rams victory with a 33-7 score and the fourth-straight win.
With that win, the Rams improved to 7-2, their best start in a season since 2001. They now have at least one home victory against all 31 other franchises.
Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings
Week Eleven: Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
With the win over the New Orleans Saints, the Rams' have improved their record to 8-3, their first winning record since 2004 season and made it to their first non-losing season since 2006.
Week 13: at Arizona Cardinals
Week Thirteen: Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
This game was the first matchup of the Jared Goff-Carson Wentz rivalry. Jared Goff threw for 16/26 with 2 touchdowns while Carson Wentz threw a career high 4 touchdowns. With the loss the Rams move to 9-4 while the Eagles clinch the NFC East for the first time since 2013. The Eagles' win wasn't without cost as they would lose Wentz for the remainder of the season to a torn ACL.
Week 15: at Seattle Seahawks
Week Fifteen: Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
The game turned out to be not only the Seahawks biggest loss at home but also a dominating game for the Rams. Todd Gurley had a career high 4 touchdowns, Russell Wilson was sacked several times, and the Rams scored a total of 42 points over the Seahawks mere 7 points. Head coach Sean McVay became the youngest coach to win 10 regular season games since 1937.
With this 42-7 victory on the road against the Seahawks, the Rams record further improved to 10-4.
Week 16: at Tennessee Titans
Week Sixteen: Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
It was a close game for the Rams and Titans as both teams were putting up points and it would lead to overtime. In the end, however, the Rams won 27-23 and clinched their first playoff berth since 2004. With the victory, the Rams also clinched the NFC West division.
Todd Gurley finished with 22 carries for 118 yards and 10 catches for 158 yards and 2 TDs. Jared Goff finished 22/38 for 301 yards and 4 TDs.
With the win, the Rams record rose to 11–4.
Week 17: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week Seventeen: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
10
10
7
7
34
Rams
3
3
0
7
13
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
^ abPhiladelphia claimed the No. 1 seed over Minnesota based on winning percentage vs. common opponents. Philadelphia's cumulative record against Carolina, Chicago, the Los Angeles Rams and Washington was 5–0, compared to Minnesota's 4–1 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^ abLA Rams claimed the No. 3 seed over New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
^ abNew Orleans clinched the NFC South division over Carolina based on head-to-head sweep.
^ abcDetroit finished ahead of Dallas and Seattle based on conference record, while Seattle finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
^ abGreen Bay finished ahead of Washington based on record vs. common opponents. Green Bay's cumulative record against Dallas, Minnesota, New Orleans and Seattle was 2–3, compared to Washington's 1–4 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^ abTampa Bay finished ahead of Chicago based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.