Rams Lose Another Division Game, Fall to 5-8

November 30th 2003 the St. Louis Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 48-17 to move to  9-3 and clinch their fourth winning season in five years. The Rams haven’t had a winning season since, and that streak will continue as the Rams fell to the Cardinals 30-10 and fall to 49-107-1 since the 2004 season, the last season without a losing record.

Not only that, but the success that the Rams had in the division last season has not transferred to this season as the Rams are 1-4 this season in the division, losing their last four. Their last win being against the Arizona Cardinals in week one.

The Rams would be playing that same Arizona Cardinals teams this week, but the teams have moved in different directions since then. The Cardinals are right in the playoff hunt and the Rams are playing the role as spoiler. The Rams would not be doing much spoiling this week however.

The Rams kept the game pretty close through most of the first half being down only 7-3 until Rams penalties extended the Cardinals drive at the end of the half leading to a touchdown to Larry Fitzgerald.

The Rams were unable to score on a last minute drive at the end of the first half, but would get the ball to start the second.  Clemens through an interception that would  be returned for a touchdown putting the Cardinals up 21-3. Clemens finished with

Two drives later, Clemens was sacked in the end zone for a safety putting the Cardinals up 23-3

The Rams’ only touchdown came on a Zac Stacy touchdown run which was set up by a Tavon Austin 56 yard run. Stacy struggled most of the day only rushing for 25 yards. Austin injured his ankle on the play, but it is not expected to be anything serious.

The Cardinals scored one last time on an Andre Ellington touchdown run which put the Cardinals up 30-10 and put the nail in the coffin.

On the bright side though both of the Rams’ draft picks did get better with their loss and the Redskins’ loss to the Chiefs.

Next week the Rams play possibly one of the best teams in the NFL in the second seeded New Orleans Saints in the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams look to be headed for two top ten picks going into the draft having the Saints, Buccaneers, and Seahawks left on the schedule.