The Minnesota Vikings hired Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell as their new head coach February 16, 2022.[1] The following day, Chris O'Hara, an offensive assistant with the Rams in 2021, was hired to join O'Connell's staff as quarterbacks coach.[2] On February 21, 2022, Wes Phillips was hired by the Vikings as offensive coordinator. Phillips had served as tight ends coach for McVay in two stints over five seasons with Washington (2014–2016) and Los Angeles (2019–2021), and in 2021 had added the title of pass game coordinator.[3]
The Denver Broncos named Rams secondary coach/passing game coordinator Ejiro Evero as defensive coordinator for new head coach Nathaniel Hackett's staff. Also hired from the Rams were assistant special teams coach Dwayne Stukes as special teams coordinator and assistant defensive line coach Marcus Dixon as defensive line coach on February 17, 2022.[4]
Liam Coen was hired as offensive coordinator, succeeding Kevin O'Connell. Coen had served as an assistant wide receivers and quarterbacks coach with the Rams from 2018 to 2020 before leaving to serve as offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky.[5]
Thomas Brown, the Rams' running backs coach for the previous two seasons, was reassigned to take over for Phillips as tight ends coach, while retaining his position as assistant head coach.[6]
Fourth-year staffer Zac Robinson was given the dual titles of pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach after spending the previous season as assistant quarterbacks coach.[7]
Having coached linebackers over the previous five seasons with the Rams, Chris Shula was named pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach.[7]
Other internal promotions included Thad Bogardus being elevated to outside linebackers coach after spending 2021 as assistant linebackers coach, while Jonathan Cooley became defensive backs coach after serving as assistant secondary coach the previous season.[7]
Ra'Shaad Samples was hired to succeed Thomas Brown as Rams running backs coach after having held the same position at SMU.[8]
Greg Olson, who had served as Rams quarterbacks coach during Sean McVay's first season in 2017, returned to the club as a senior offensive assistant after spending the four previous seasons as offensive coordinator with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. Olson had also been offensive coordinator for the then-St. Louis Rams in 2006 and 2007.[7]
During preseason, Sean McVay announced that Jay Gruden, who had been head coach of the Washington Redskins during McVay's tenure there, had been hired as an offensive consultant and would work remotely for the team.[9][7]
^The Rams traded QB Jared Goff, a first-round selection (32nd overall), a 2021 third-round selection and a 2023 first-round selection to the Detroit Lions in exchange for QB Matthew Stafford.[10]
^ abThe Rams traded their second- and third-round selections (64th and 96th overall) to the Denver Broncos in exchange for LB Von Miller.
^The Rams traded WR Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round selection (137th overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2020 second-round selection.
^ abcThe Rams traded fifth- and seventh-round selections (175th and 238th overall) to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round selection (164th overall).
^The Rams traded a sixth-round selection (210th overall) and a 2023 fourth-round selection to the New England Patriots in exchange for RB Sony Michel.
^ abcThe Rams traded a sixth-round selection (218th overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for two seventh-round selections (235th and 261st overall).
^The Rams traded CB Aqib Talib and a 2020 fifth-round selection to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a seventh-round selection (238th overall).[11]
The Rams' preseason opponents were announced May 12, 2022 along with the release of the NFL's regular season schedule, with exact dates and times announced eleven days later.
On May 10, the NFL announced that the Rams will host the Denver Broncos as part of a Christmas Day triple-header on December 25. The game will kick off at 1:30 p.m. PST, and will be televised by CBS and Nickelodeon.[14]
The remainder of the Rams' 2022 schedule was announced on May 12.[15]
Starting the 2022 campaign at home on Thursday Night Football, the Rams were shut out in the second half as Sean McVay lost a season opener for the first time as head coach. After falling behind 10–0 in the second quarter, Los Angeles rallied back on a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Cooper Kupp, while kicker Matt Gay converted a 57-yard field goal at the end of the second quarter. Stafford, who surpassed 50,000 career passing yards, completed 29 of 41 passes for 240 yards but threw three interceptions and was sacked seven times. Kupp, the NFL's leading receiver in 2021, caught 13 passes for 128 yards and a score to lead the Rams offense. Defensively, cornerback Jalen Ramsey led Los Angeles with six tackles but was victimized on a 53-yard touchdown pass from Bills quarterback Josh Allen to wide receiver Stefon Diggs in the fourth quarter, while linebacker Bobby Wagner had five tackles with two assists and a sack in his debut with the Rams.
Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 2: Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
LAR – Cooper Kupp – 11 receptions, 108 yards, 2 TD
The Rams built a commanding 28–3 lead in the third quarter, then had to withstand a fourth quarter rally by Atlanta to gain their first victory of the season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with wide receiver Allen Robinson for a 1-yard touchdown late in the first quarter, then threw two more TD passes to wide receiver Cooper Kupp in the second (3 yards) and third quarters (10 yards). Running back Darrell Henderson led the team with 47 rushing yards on 10 attempts and scored on an 8-yard run in the second period. Rookie cornerback Cobie Durant returned an interception 51 yards late in the second quarter to set up a Rams touchdown and added two tackles including a sack of Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota. However, Mariota bounced back to throw two touchdown passes while Atlanta also scored after blocking Rams punter Riley Dixon to close to within 31–25. But Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey came up with a critical interception at the goal line with just over a minute remaining and the Rams were able to escape. Kapp had 11 receptions for 108 yards and two scores while Stafford passed for 272 yards and three TDs along with two interceptions. On defense, linebacker Ernest Jones had a team-high 12 tackles while fellow linebacker Bobby Wagner added seven tackles and a sack in the win for Los Angeles.
Week 3: at Arizona Cardinals
Week 3: Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
With a strong defensive performance that kept the Cardinals offense out of the end zone for the entire game, the Rams picked up their first NFC West victory of the season. The win was the Rams' eighth straight over Arizona at State Farm Stadium, a streak that started in 2015. Kicker Matt Gay converted field goals of 22 and 40 yards while wide receiver ran 20 yards on a jet sweep in the second quarter to score the first rushing touchdown of his NFL career as Los Angeles built a 13–0 lead. Running back Cam Akers rushed for a game-high 61 yards on 12 carries, including a 14-yard touchdown run to give the Rams a 20–9 advantage late in the third quarter. However, Akers was stripped of the ball at the goal line as Los Angeles was poised to go up by three scores midway through fourth quarter. Rookie cornerback Derion Kendrick and veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner shared the team lead in tackles with nine as they helped to limit the Cardinals to just four field goals by kicker Matt Prater. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald added six total tackles, including a sack of Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray for minus-15 yards in the first quarter that was the 100th sack of the perennial All-Pro's NFL career. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 249 yards but did not throw a touchdown pass in a game for the first time since coming to Los Angeles.
Week 4: at San Francisco 49ers
Week 4: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
The host 49ers racked up seven sacks and dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball to continue their mastery of the Rams in the regular season with their seventh straight victory. Meeting for the first time since the 2021 NFC Championship Game, the 49ers gave up an early field goal to Rams kicker Matt Gay but then seized the lead on a 32-yard touchdown run by running back Jeff Wilson and extended their advantage to 14–6 when San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo connected with wide receiver Deebo Samuel on a 57-yard catch-and-run late in the second quarter. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 32 of 48 passes for 254 yards but was sacked seven times and was constantly harassed by 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Samson Ebukam (a former Ram), both of whom had two sacks each. Stafford also threw a fourth quarter interception that was returned by San Francisco strong safety Talanoa Hufanga 52 yards for a touchdown and the game's final points. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp totaled a career-high 14 receptions (for 122 yards) but was held out of the end zone. Linebacker Bobby Wagner led the Rams with 10 tackles and was notable for tackling a protestor who ran onto the field late in the second quarter.
Week 5: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 5: Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
A fumble and a blocked punt on the game's first two possessions put the Rams into a hole that they could not recover from in their second straight defeat. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked on the game's third play by Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong, who stripped Stafford of the ball which was then scooped up by defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and returned 19 yards for a touchdown. On the Rams' next possession, Armstrong came up with a second big play, blocking a punt by Riley Dixon and returning it 14 yards down the L.A. 20 which led to a field goal by Brett Maher and a 9–0 lead. The Rams answered with a 29-yard field goal by kicker Matt Gay that was set up by a 54-yard deep pass from Stafford to wide receiver Tutu Atwell. In the second quarter, Los Angeles took a 10–9 lead as wide receiver Cooper Kupp took a Stafford pass and outran Dallas cornerback Trevon Diggs for a 75-yard touchdown, the longest reception of Kupp's career. But the Cowboys responded on their next drive as running back Tony Pollard scored on a 57-yard touchdown to retake the lead which Dallas would never relinquish. Maher added field goals in the third and fourth quarters as the Cowboys extended their advantage. Stafford passed for 308 yards and was sacked five times (Dallas outside linebacker Micah Parsons had two) while the Rams running game sputtered with only 38 yards on 15 attempts. On defense for the Rams, defensive tackle Aaron Donald had six total tackles including two sacks in the loss.
Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 6: Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
The Rams defense held the visiting Panthers out of the end zone while the offense finally got untracked as Los Angeles evened its record to 3–3 going into the bye week. Linebackers Ernest Jones and Bobby Wagner shared the team lead with seven tackles each while leading a defensive effort that limited Carolina to just 203 total yards. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey had three solo tackles including a sack and free safety Nick Scott added an interception to snuff out the Panthers' final offensive drive. For the Rams, wide receiver Allen Robinson scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford late in the second quarter and finished with five receptions for 63 yards. Fellow wide receiver Ben Skowronek also had five receptions (for 40 yards) and scored the first touchdown of his NFL career on a 17-yard run in the third quarter. Getting his first start of the season, running back Darrell Henderson had 12 carries for 43 yards including a 2-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter. Stafford completed 26 of 33 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown, but threw a costly interception that was returned for a touchdown to give Carolina a 10–7 halftime lead.
Week 8: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 8: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
In a rematch of the 2021NFC Championship Game, the visiting 49ers continued their regular season dominance of the Rams by scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half. Making his first start for San Francisco 10 days after a midseason trade with Carolina, running back Christian McCaffrey turned in a spectacular performance, rushing for a game-high 94 yards on 18 carries with a 1-yard touchdown run, catching a team-high 8 passes for 55 yards including a 9-yard touchdown reception, while throwing a 34-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk. McCaffrey, who played his last game for the Panthers two weeks earlier against the Rams on the same field, joined Walter Payton and LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players to run, catch, and throw for touchdowns in the same game. Los Angeles took a 14–10 halftime lead as quarterback Matthew Stafford ran for a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter and threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cooper Kupp in the second, but the Rams were held to just 58 yards after halftime. Kupp had seven receptions in the first half but was held to only one catch after the intermission. Linebacker Leonard Floyd had a team-high nine tackles including two sacks. 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed 21 of 25 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns and improved to 8–1 lifetime against the Rams as San Francisco won its eighth straight regular season game over Los Angeles.
Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 9: Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
In a rematch of the 2021 NFC Divisional game, the Rams lost a heartbreaking game in Tampa Bay to fall to 3–5 on the season. The Buccaneers made it to the red zone on their opening drive, but the Rams' defense held and forced a field goal, which put the Buccaneers in front 3–0. In the second quarter, the Rams took a 7–3 lead when Stafford connected with Kupp on a 69-yard touchdown pass. From there, the teams exchanged punts and field goals until the final minute of the game. On Tampa Bay's penultimate drive, with the Rams ahead 13–9, receiver Scotty Miller dropped a touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady that would have given the Buccaneers the lead. On the ensuing two plays, Ramsey deflected two passes from Brady, causing the Buccaneers to turn the ball over on downs. The Rams had a chance to run out the clock on the ensuing possession, but failed to do so. After a punt with about 1 minute remaining in the game, Brady dissected the Rams' soft zone defense on the Buccaneers' final drive and put his team ahead with a 1-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Cade Otton. With minimal time left to score, the Rams failed to answer, and the Buccaneers won 16–13.
Week 10: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 10: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
With their playoff hopes fading after two consecutive losses, the Rams returned home for a game against the Arizona Cardinals, who the Rams defeated earlier in the season. With backup quarterback John Wolford starting in place of Matthew Stafford, who was unable to play due to concussion protocols, the Rams' offense continued to struggle as it had all season. After the Rams kicked a field goal on their opening drive, the Cardinals scored 17 unanswered points, including two touchdowns inside of the final two minutes of the first half. With 1:56 remaining in the second quarter, Arizona running back James Conner scored a touchdown to put the Cardinals ahead 10–3. On the ensuing Rams' drive, a strip sack by Arizona linebacker Myjai Sanders gave the Cardinals prime field position, and they cashed in when Arizona backup quarterback Colt McCoy connected with wide receiver A.J. Green on a 6-yard touchdown pass with 24 seconds remaining in the half. In the third quarter, Henderson scored on a 4-yard touchdown to pull the Rams to within one score of the Cardinals. However, in the final quarter, Arizona wide receiver Rondale Moore made an amazing one-handed catch of a McCoy pass on 4th and 3 for 26 yards, leading to a Conner 9-yard touchdown run that brought Arizona's lead back to 14 points. An Arizona field goal later in the quarter increased the lead to 17 points, and the game ended 27–17 after the Rams scored a garbage time touchdown. With the loss, the Rams fell to 3–6 on the season. Kupp also suffered an ankle sprain during the game and was ruled out for the upcoming game at the New Orleans Saints.
Week 11: at New Orleans Saints
Week 11: Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
For the first time in his coaching career, Sean McVay lost four straight games as Los Angeles dropped its record to 3–7 in their first visit to the Superdome since the 2018NFC Championship Game. Returning to the starting lineup, quarterback Matthew Stafford threw two touchdowns in the first half, but was pulled out of the game midway through the third quarter after taking several hard hits. Without him, the Rams offense was held to two field goals in yet another lackluster second half effort. Saints quarterback Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter to turn a 14–10 deficit into a 24–14 lead for New Orleans. Playing his first significant action of the season, Rams backup quarterback Bryce Perkins completed 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards and ran five times for 39 yards but was sacked three times in the loss. Wide receiver Allen Robinson caught four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown and running back Cam Akers ran 14 times for 61 yards for Los Angeles on offense, while defensive linebacker Leonard Floyd and defensive tackle Greg Gaines had two sacks each, but the Rams defense failed to generate a turnover for the fourth straight game.
Week 12: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 12: Los Angeles Rams at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Without Stafford due to concussion protocols and Kupp due to the ankle injury he suffered against the Cardinals, the injury-riddled Rams headed into their matchup at the Kansas City Chiefs, who were leading the AFC at the time. The Chiefs proceeded to cruise to a relatively easy 26-10 win against the Rams. On the Chiefs' second drive of the game, star Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes connected with star tight end Travis Kelce on a 39-yard touchdown pass, for the first score of the game. From that point, the Rams' defense made several red zone stands against one of the best red zone offenses in football, but the Rams' offense, led by third-string quarterback Bryce Perkins, struggled to gain traction and only mustered ten points. Additionally, Aaron Donald sprained his ankle during the game, putting him in jeopardy of missing his first career game due to injury. Also, wide receiver Allen Robinson was ruled out for the remainder the season, once the game ended.
Week 13: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 13: Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
^ abSan Francisco finished ahead of Minnesota based on conference record (10–2 vs. 8–4).
^ abSeattle finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory, claiming the 7th and final playoff spot.
^ abcCarolina finished ahead of New Orleans and Atlanta based on head-to-head record (3–1 vs. 2–2/1–3).
^ abNew Orleans finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head sweep.
^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.
