On January 6, 2020, the Rams parted ways with long time defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, whose contract was not renewed. Special teams coordinator John Fassel, who had been with the franchise since 2012, was also not retained and took the same position with the Dallas Cowboys. Other staff members who did not return were assistant offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, running backs coach Skip Peete, assistant special teams coach Matt Daniels, and director of strength training and performance Ted Rath.
Several staff members shifted responsibilities or added to their duties. Run game coordinator Aaron Kromer also became the team's offensive line coach, while pass game coordinator Shane Waldron retained that title but is no longer the quarterbacks coach.[1] Also, assistant wide receivers coach Zac Robinson and assistant quarterbacks coach Liam Coen swapped positions from the previous season.
Kevin O'Connell was hired as offensive coordinator and Brandon Staley took over as defensive coordinator. John Bonamego was brought on board as special teams coordinator and will be assisted by Tory Woodbury. Justin Lovett became the Rams' new director of strength training and performance.
Uniform changes
In March 2019, the Rams announced they would debut new uniforms for the 2020 season. The new logos and colors were revealed on March 23.[2] The new primary logo was heavily criticized by fans.[3] The new uniforms were revealed on May 13th- and were also heavily criticized by fans.[4]
On March 19, 2020, the Rams released running back Todd Gurley after they were unable to trade him. The move was made before the team would have to pay an additional $10.5 million on Gurley's $60 million contract extension that was signed prior to the 2018 season.[5][6] Gurley was later signed as a free agent by the Atlanta Falcons.
Also on March 19, 2020, the Rams released linebacker Clay Matthews after one season.[7][8]
Retirements
On February 6, 2020, veteran safety Eric Weddle announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons.[9]
The Rams traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks and their fourth-round selection in 2022 to the Houston Texans in exchange for the Texans' second-round pick (57th overall).[14]
The Rams traded their fourth round pick (126th overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for the Texans' fourth round pick (136th overall) and two seventh-round selections (Nos. 248 and 250).[15]
Undrafted free agents
Following the 2020 NFL Draft, the Rams signed 20 undrafted rookie free agents who would compete for roster spots and participate in the team's offseason and training camp programs.[16]
Networks and times for Sunday games from Weeks 8–17 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.
As the result of Saturday flexible scheduling during Week 15, the date, time and network for that week's game vs. the New York Jets will be finalized at a later date—by no later than four weeks prior to game day.[18]
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week One: Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Playing their first game ever in their brand-new home at SoFi Stadium, the Rams held off the Cowboys in a close battle of NFC contenders on Sunday Night Football. Receiving the opening kickoff (from former Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein), Los Angeles drove 75 yards in seven plays, with Malcolm Brown scoring the new stadium's first touchdown on a 1-yard run. Rookie kicker Samuel Sloman missed on his first field goal attempt, a 29-yard try that bounced off the left upright near the end of the first quarter, but later was successful on field goals of 35 and 31 yards in the second quarter. However, Dallas took a 14-13 halftime lead as Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott scored on both a touchdown run and a touchdown reception. The Rams reclaimed the lead as Malcolm Brown (who finished with a team-high 18 rushes for 79 yards) scored his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run midway through the third quarter to put Los Angeles ahead 20–14. Zuerlein converted a 33-yard field goal late in the third quarter, but it would be as close as the Cowboys would get. Rookie safety Jordan Fuller led the Rams with eight total tackles, including a key tackle of Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb on a fourth-and-3 play at the Rams' 9-yard line, just one yard short of a first down to kill a Dallas scoring drive. Wide receiver Robert Woods led Los Angeles with six receptions for 105 yards. Following the game, Rams head coach Sean McVay presented a game ball to team owner Stan Kroenke.
Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week Two: Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Linebacker Micah Kiser had a breakout performance that earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors and tight end Tyler Higbee caught three touchdowns as the Rams broke a six-game losing streak to the Eagles (dating back to 2004) and gave head coach Sean McVay his first victory over Philadelphia after two prior defeats. With the win, the Rams earned their third consecutive 2–0 start. Making his second career start at inside linebacker after missing all of 2019, Kiser forced a fumble on the Eagles' opening drive. Linebacker Kenny Young recovered the fumble by Eagles running back Miles Sanders to give Los Angeles possession at the Philadelphia 41. Three runs for 13 yards by rookie running back Cam Akers and a 24-yard pass from quarterback Jared Goff to wide receiver Cooper Kupp set up a 4-yard scoring toss from Goff to Higbee with 11:15 remaining in the first quarter. Goff, who completed his first 14 passes, led the Rams to scores on their next two drives, the first ending with a 5-yard run around end by Robert Woods and the second capped off by a second TD pass to Higbee from three yards out. After the Eagles bounced back with a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter, the Rams extended their lead as kicker Samuel Sloman added a 30-yard field goal in the third period. Then in the fourth, Goff and Higbee connected for a third touchdown, this one from 28 yards. Second-year running back Darryl Henderson led the Rams on the ground with 81 yards on 12 carries, including his first career NFL touchdown on a 2-yard run with 3:41 remaining in the game. Kiser led the Rams with 15 total tackles (10 solo) along with the forced fumble and a pass deflection. While Los Angeles did not sack Carson Wentz, constant pressure forced the Philadelphia quarterback to throw two interceptions to L.A. cornerbacks Darious Williams and Troy Hill as the Rams got their first-ever win at Lincoln Financial Field as well as their first road win over Philadelphia since the 2001 season.
Week 3: at Buffalo Bills
Week Three: Los Angeles Rams at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
After falling behind 28–3 in the third quarter, the Rams staged the largest comeback in team history, but ultimately fell to the host Bills in their first inter-conference game of 2020. Los Angeles had difficulty stopping Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, who passed for three touchdowns and ran for another in building the Bills' 25-point lead midway through the third quarter. The Rams answered with an 8-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Jared Goff scoring from one yard out on a quarterback sneak. A questionable interception of Allen on the next drive by Rams safety John Johnson, who was credited with the pick after reaching for the ball as tight end Tyler Kroft caught it,[19] helped to set up a 25-yard touchdown pass from Goff to wide receiver Robert Woods, who was playing for the first time against the team that originally drafted him. Woods, who finished with five receptions for 74 yards, had a 31-yard catch that set up Goff's second touchdown pass of the day, this time to wide receiver Cooper Kupp with 10:40 remaining in the game. Goff connected with tight end Tyler Higbee for a successful two-point conversion to close to within 28–25. Running back Darrell Henderson had a strong game for the second straight week, rushing 20 times for 114 yards and gave the Rams their first and only lead of the game on a 1-yard run with 4:33 to play. The 25-point comeback was the best Rams rally since a 31–27 victory against Tampa Bay in 1992. The defense was led by defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who had two sacks among his six total tackles, including a forced fumble that he recovered to set up the Rams' go-ahead score. However, Allen was able to evade a furious Rams pass rush to make several late conversions and, after a likewise controversial pass interference call on fourth down against L.A. cornerback Darious Williams, connected with tight end Tyler Kroft on a 3-yard score to reclaim the lead with just 15 seconds remaining.[20] Kupp led the Rams with six receptions for 107 yards while Goff, who completed 23 of 31 for 321 yards, surpassed 15,000 career passing yards (15,082).[21]
Week 4: vs. New York Giants
Week Four: New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
The Rams started quickly, but then had to hold on to beat the visiting Giants and improve to 3–1 on the season. Tight end Gerald Everett took a handoff from quarterback Jared Goff from two yards out to score the first rushing touchdown of his career, capping off L.A.'s efficient opening 12-play, 65-yard drive. From there, Los Angeles struggled offensively, as a second quarter drive saw the Rams reach New York's 4-yard-line before Goff was sacked and then completed two passes for minus-2 yards. Sam Sloman converted a 32-yard field goal to give L.A. a 10–3 lead. Though the Giants were able to control the ball and had a clear edge in time of possession (33:17 to 26:43), the Rams defense collected five sacks of New York quarterback Dan Jones and limited the Giants to three Graham Gano field goals, the last coming less than a minute into the fourth quarter to pull New York to within 10–9. After the teams exchanged punts, the Rams came up with their biggest offensive play of the day as Goff found wide receiver Cooper Kupp over the middle. Kupp turned upfield and outraced Giants defenders to the end zone to complete the 55-yard touchdown pass play and extend the Rams' lead to 17–9 after Sloman's successful PAT. New York drove into Rams territory on its final two possessions but was turned away both times. With just under a minute remaining, Jones's pass attempt to wide receiver Damion Ratley was intercepted by Rams cornerback Darious Williams at the Los Angeles 7-yard-line to preserve the victory. Safety Taylor Rapp led the Rams with eight tackles, while cornerback Jalen Ramsey added four solo tackles, including a critical stop of Giants wide receiver Golden Tate for a 1-yard loss on a third-and-3 play near midfield, which was soon followed by the Rams' final touchdown. Following the game, Ramsey and Tate got into a fight that would lead to disciplinary action by the NFL. The Rams, who improved to 2–0 on the season at SoFi Stadium, also debuted their Royal-and-Sol jersey-and-pants combination, which had been spurred by fan demand.
Week 5: at Washington Football Team
Week Five: Los Angeles Rams at Washington Football Team – Game summary
Aaron Donald tied a career high with four sacks and the Rams defense collected a season-high eight sacks while holding host Washington to just 108 total yards as Los Angeles completed a season sweep of NFC East opponents. Donald vaulted himself into the league lead in sacks, and also forced a fumble as he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the seventh time in his career. Linebacker Troy Reeder added three sacks while cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, and Troy Hill limited Washington's wide receivers to just five receptions for 29 yards. Offensively, quarterback Jared Goff completed 21 of 30 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for another. Running back Darrell Henderson ran for one touchdown and caught another, while rookie Cam Akers led Los Angeles with 61 yards on nine carries in his first action after suffering a rib injury in Week 2. Rams head coach Sean McVay earned his first victory over Washington in making his first return to FedExField since he served on Washington's staff from 2010 to 2016. In 2017, the then-Redskins had dealt McVay his first loss as a head coach. For the third time in McVay's head coaching tenure, the Rams completed a season sweep of another NFL division, having swept opponents from the AFC South in 2017 and the AFC West in 2018 (Los Angeles also won all six games versus NFC West opponents in 2018). The victory also spoiled the return of Washington quarterback Alex Smith, who entered the game in the second quarter to play in an NFL game for the first time since suffering a catastrophic leg injury two years earlier.
Week 6: at San Francisco 49ers
Week Six: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
^ abNew Orleans finished ahead of Seattle based on conference record.
^ abChicago finished and clinched the 7th and final playoff spot ahead of Arizona based on better win percentage in common games (against Detroit, the NY Giants, Carolina, and the LA Rams, Chicago finished 3–2, while Arizona finished 1–4).
^ abSan Francisco finished ahead of the NY Giants based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Dallas (see below).
^ abNY Giants won tiebreaker over Dallas based on division record.
^ abCarolina finished ahead of Detroit 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.
