2008 St . Louis Rams season The 2008 St . Louis Rams season was the 71st season for the team in the National Football League and their 14th in St . Louis , Missouri . They hoped to improve upon their 3 - 13 record from last season but the season was a complete disaster , and their worst season ever . Not only did they fail to improve on their 3 - 13 record but they deteriorated further into a 2 - 14 record . On Sept 29 , 2008 , following an 0 - 4 start , head coach Scott Linehan was fired and replaced by defensive coordinator Jim Haslett , who occupied the head coach position with the team for the remainder of the 2008 season . Off season . After having been hospitalized for several months with breast cancer , owner Georgia Frontiere died on January 18 , 2008 . Frontiere ' s son and Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom wanted to have the team wear its old blue and yellow uniforms from the 1999 season , but was denied his request by the NFL stating that he needed to give a one year notice . Rosenbloom announced on April 24 , 2008 that the Rams will have a patch on the left shoulder of the jersey with the word " Georgia " written the way Frontiere signed her name during the 2008 season . Free agency . On March 1 , the first day of free agency , the Rams signed place kicker Josh Brown from the Seattle Seahawks to a five - year , $ 14 . 2 million contract to replace retired Jeff Wilkins . On March 3 , the Rams signed Offensive Lineman Jacob Bell as a free agent from the Tennessee Titans to a six - year , $ 36 million deal , and includes a $ 7 million signing bonus . On March 6 , the Rams signed Tight End Anthony Becht as a free agent from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an undisclosed amount . NFL Draft . Prior to the draft , Billy Devaney was named vice president of player personnel , and took over decisions in for the off season and draft . The Denver Broncos traded their sixth - round selection ( 180th overall ) to the Rams for defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy . The Rams traded their seventh - round selection ( 209th overall ) to the Minnesota Vikings for offensive tackle Adam Goldberg . The Rams received the Cincinnati Bengals ' seventh - round pick ( 217th overall ) in exchange for Ryan Fitzpatrick . The Rams received one seventh - round pick ( 252nd overall ) as a compensatory selection . During Draft Day , the Washington Redskins traded their fifth - round and seventh - round selections ( # 157 and # 228 overall ) to the Rams for its two sixth - round selections ( # 168 and # 180 overall ) . Training camp . Steven Jackson held out of camp because he believed he was underpaid , and there was only one year left on his rookie contract . He later ended his holdout and said that he would report to camp . Jackson ended his holdout officially , after he signed a six - year contract worth a maximum of $ 49 . 3 million , including $ 21 million in guarantees . The final two years of the deal can be voided upon performance so it can be a three - year extension worth $ 29 . 3 million . This will make him the highest paid running back in the NFL . Jackson can be eligible for unrestricted free agency at age 28 . Regular season week - by - week results . Week 1 : at Philadelphia Eagles . The Eagles raced out of the gates to dismantle the St . Louis Rams 38 - 3 , the Eagles largest opening week margin - of - victory ever . Rookie DeSean Jackson pulled down a 47 - yard reception on the second play over Tye Hill , and the drive finished with a shovel pass touchdown to Brian Westbrook . Donovan McNabb marched the Eagles down the field again on their second possession , finding L . J . Smith in the back of the end zone to make it 14 - 0 . During the drive , Hill was beat again , this time by Greg Lewis on a double move and was benched for the game . Late in the second quarter , receiver Hank Baskett beat the coverage and scored on a 90 - yard reception . Fullback Tony Hunt scored from a yard out in the third quarter and the rout was on . DeSean Jackson ' s 60 - yard punt return set up a short field goal for David Akers , and Philadelphia ' s lead grew to 31 - 0 . Westbrook added a 6 - yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter before Josh Brown kicked a 46 - yard field goal to avoid the shutout . McNabb had a vintage performance , throwing for 361 yards ( mostly in the first half ) and three scores . Jackson , Greg Lewis , and Baskett each had over 100 yards receiving . Westbrook ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns , while the defense completely shut down the St . Louis offense . The Rams didn ' t convert on all 11 3rd down plays , the first time since 1991 . Steven Jackson had 40 yards on 14 carries and the team averaged 2 . 4 yards rushing . In addition to beginning the season 0 - 1 , the Rams suffered injuries with Leonard Little leaving the game with a hamstring injury , Drew Bennett with a foot injury and Orlando Pace with bruised ribs . Week 2 : vs . New York Giants . Hoping to rebound from their dismal road loss to the Eagles , the Rams played their Week 2 home opener against the defending Super Bowl champions , the New York Giants . In the first quarter , St . Louis trailed early as Giants QB Eli Manning completed a 33 - yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress . In the second quarter , the Rams responded with kicker Josh Brown getting a 54 - yard field goal , yet New York answered with kicker John Carney kicking a 39 - yard field goal . St . Louis would reply with Brown ' s 54 - yard field goal , yet the Giants answered with Carney nailing a 33 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , New York increased its lead with Manning completing a 10 - yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer . In the fourth quarter , the Rams tried to rally as WR Torry Holt made a 45 - yard juggling , circus catch in the end zone from QB Marc Bulger , making the Rams down 20 - 13 with 10 minutes 46 seconds left to play . However , the Giants pulled away with Manning ' s 18 - yard TD pass to RB Ahmad Bradshaw , DE Justin Tuck ' s 41 - yard interception return for a touchdown , and Bradshaw ' s 31 - yard TD run . With the loss , St . Louis fell to 0 - 2 . Over the course of two games the defense gave up almost 1000 yards . The Rams offense has yet to be in the red zone all season . Week 3 : at Seattle Seahawks . Trying to snap a two - game skid , the Rams flew to Qwest Field for a Week 3 NFC West duel with the Seattle Seahawks . In the first quarter , St . Louis trailed early as Seahawks kicker Olindo Mare got a 28 - yard field goal , QB Matt Hasselbeck completing a 10 - yard TD pass to WR Michael Bumpus , and RB Julius Jones getting a 29 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Rams got on the board as former Seahawk kicker Josh Brown got a 43 - yard field goal , yet Seattle responded with RB T . J . Duckett getting a 4 - yard TD run . St . Louis would answer with Brown kicking a 29 - yard field goal , yet the Seahawks increased its lead with Mare kicking a 38 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Rams tried to rally as QB Marc Bulger completed a 21 - yard TD pass to WR Dane Looker . However , in the fourth quarter , Seattle pulled away with Duckett ' s 1 - yard TD run and Mare ' s 38 - yard field goal . With the loss , St . Louis fell to 0 - 3 . Week 4 : vs . Buffalo Bills . Still searching for their first win , the Rams went home for a Week 4 interconference duel with the Buffalo Bills . Hoping to find consistency , QB Marc Bulger was benched in favor of QB Trent Green . In the first quarter , St . Louis trailed early as Bills kicker Rian Lindell got a 45 - yard field goal . The Rams would respond with rookie WR Donnie Avery getting a 37 - yard TD run . Buffalo would answer with Lindell kicking a 35 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , St . Louis increased its lead with RB Steven Jackson getting a 29 - yard TD run . In the third quarter , the Bills crept closer as RB Fred Jackson got a 22 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , Buffalo sealed the win with CB Jabari Greer returning an interception 33 yards for a touchdown , QB Trent Edwards completing a 39 - yard TD pass to WR Lee Evans , and Lindell nailing a 45 - yard field goal . With the loss , the Rams went into their bye week at 0 - 4 . Week 6 : at Washington Redskins . Coming off their bye week , the Rams flew to Fedex Field for a Week 6 duel with the Washington Redskins . In the first quarter , St . Louis trailed early as Redskins RB Clinton Portis got a 3 - yard TD run . The Rams would respond with kicker Josh Brown getting a 51 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , St . Louis took the lead as free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown . In the third quarter , the Rams increased their lead as Brown kicked a 25 - yard and a 44 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , Washington rallied as kicker Shaun Suisham got a 38 - yard field goal and Portis got a 2 - yard TD run . Fortunately , St . Louis was able to prevail as Brown nailed the game - winning 49 - yard field goal as time expired . With the upset win , the Rams improved to 1 - 4 . Week 7 : vs . Dallas Cowboys . Hoping to build off of their last - second road win over the Redskins , the Rams went home for a Week 7 duel with the Dallas Cowboys . In the first quarter , St . Louis trailed early as Cowboys RB Marion Barber got a 1 - yard TD run . Afterwards , the Rams offense exploded with points as QB Marc Bulger completed a 42 - yard TD pass to rookie WR Donnie Avery , along with RB Steven Jackson getting an 8 - yard and a 1 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , St . Louis added on to their lead as kicker Josh Brown got a 52 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Rams continued their victory march as Jackson got a 56 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , St . Louis ' domination ended with Brown nailing a 35 - yard field goal . Dallas ended the game ' s scoring with QB Brad Johnson completing a 34 - yard TD pass to TE Martellus Bennett . With their second straight win , the Rams improved to 2 - 4 . The game also marked the first time that the Rams wore white jerseys at home , instead of their usual blue jerseys , since moving from Los Angeles in 1995 , forcing the Cowboys to wear their " jinxed " navy blue jerseys . Week 8 : at New England Patriots . Hoping to build off of their two - game win streak , the Rams flew to Gillette Stadium for a Week 8 interconference duel with the New England Patriots . In the first quarter , St . Louis struck first as kicker Josh Brown got a 20 - yard field goal . The Patriots answered with RB BenJarvus Green - Ellis getting a 2 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Rams regained the lead as QB Marc Bulger completed a 69 - yard TD pass to rookie WR Donnie Avery . New England would get its lead back as kicker Stephen Gostkowski got a 30 - yard and a 27 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , St . Louis tied the game as Brown made a 44 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Rams regained the lead on Brown ' s 25 - yard field goal . However , the Patriots sealed the win Gostkowski nailing a 41 - yard field goal , along with QB Matt Cassel completing a 15 - yard TD pass to RB Kevin Faulk . With the loss , St . Louis fell to 2 - 5 . Week 9 : vs . Arizona Cardinals . Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Patriots , the Rams went home for a Week 9 NFC West duel with the Arizona Cardinals . In the first quarter , St . Louis struck first as QB Marc Bulger completed an 80 - yard TD pass to WR Derek Stanley . In the second quarter , the Cardinals responded with a vengeance as safety Antrel Rolle returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown , kicker Neil Rackers got a 36 - yard field goal , RB Tim Hightower got a 30 - yard TD run , and former Rams QB Kurt Warner completed a 56 - yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban . In the third quarter , Arizona increased its lead as Warner completed a 7 - yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin . In the fourth quarter , the Rams tried to come back as Bulger completed a 3 - yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt ( with a failed 2 - point conversion ) . However , the Cardinals flew away as Rackers nailed a 30 - yard field goal . With the loss , St . Louis fell to 2 – 6 . During the game , the Rams inducted former Head Coach Dick Vermeil ( who helped the franchise win Super Bowl XXXIV ) onto the Rams Ring of Honor . Week 10 : at New York Jets . Trying to snap a two - game losing streak , the Rams flew to The Meadowlands for a Week 10 interconference duel with the New York Jets . In the first quarter , St . Louis trailed early as Jet RB Thomas Jones got a 13 - yard TD run , kicker Jay Feely got a 22 - yard field goal , and LB Calvin Pace returned a fumble 50 yards for a touchdown . In the second quarter , the Rams ' misery continued as Jones got a 2 - yard TD run , Feely got a 49 - yard and a 46 - yard field goal , QB Brett Favre completed a 1 - yard TD pass to TE Dustin Keller , and Feely made a 55 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , St . Louis would get their only score of the game as kicker Josh Brown nailed a 37 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , New York flew away as Jones got a 6 - yard TD run . With the loss , the Rams fell to 2 - 7 . Week 11 : at San Francisco 49ers . Trying to snap a three - game losing streak , the Rams flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 11 NFC West duel with their rival , the San Francisco 49ers . In the first quarter , St . Louis trailed early as 49ers RB Frank Gore got a 5 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Rams responded with kicker Josh Brown getting a 24 - yard field goal . However , San Francisco took a commanding lead as QB Shaun Hill completed a 2 - yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis , Gore got a 1 - yard TD run , Hill got a 1 - yard TD run , and Hill completed a 2 - yard TD pass to WR Bryant Johnson . In the third quarter , St . Louis hacked at their deficit as Brown nailed a 48 - yard and a 44 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Rams tried to complete their comeback as QB Marc Bulger completed a 2 - yard TD pass to WR Dane Looker . However , the 49ers ' defense was too much to overcome . With their fourth - straight loss , St . Louis fell to 2 - 8 . Week 12 : vs . Chicago Bears . Trying to snap a four - game losing streak , the Rams went home for a Week 12 duel with the Chicago Bears . In the first quarter , St . Louis trailed early as Bears RB Matt Forté got a 13 - yard TD run , while QB Kyle Orton completed a 7 - yard TD pass to FB Jason McKie . In the second quarter , the Rams ' struggles continued as Forté got a 47 - yard TD run . St . Louis would respond with kicker Josh Brown getting a 43 - yard field goal . Chicago would close out the half with Gould making a 43 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Bears pulled away with Gould nailing a 38 - yard field goal . From there on out , Chicago ' s defense stiffened for the win . With their fifth - straight loss , the Rams fell to 2 - 9 . Week 13 : vs . Miami Dolphins . Trying to snap a five - game losing streak , the Rams stayed at home for a Week 13 interconference duel with the Miami Dolphins . The Rams would welcome back Steven Jackson to the lineup after weeks of sitting out with a thigh injury . Jackson gave the Rams a good enough boost to strike first with a first possession field goal by Josh Brown from 23 yards . Brown would kick a 51 yard field goal to give the Rams a 6 - 0 lead . In the second quarter , the Dolphins responded as RB Ronnie Brown got a 3 - yard TD run . The Rams would answer with Brown making a 33 - yard field goal , but Miami replied with kicker Dan Carpenter getting a 37 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Dolphins increased their lead as Carpenter got a 47 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , St . Louis tried to keep up as Brown made a 38 - yard field goal , yet Miami answered right back with Carpenter nailing a 42 - yard field goal . The Rams tried to come back , but a late - game interception shattered any hope of a comeback . With their sixth - straight loss , St . Louis fell to 2 - 10 . Week 15 : vs . Seattle Seahawks . The Rams played a solid 1st half but the Seahawks turned the tables with 10 points in the final 2 : 47 for a 23 - 20 victory Sunday . T . J . Duckett ' s 1 - yard run tied it , the Rams fizzled while going three - and - out , and Olindo Mare ' s 27 - yard field goal as time expired ended the Seahawks ' six - game losing streak and extended the Rams ' losing streak to 8 . Week 16 : vs . San Francisco 49ers . Hoping to snap an eight - game losing streak , the Rams stayed at home for a Week 16 NFC West rematch with the San Francisco 49ers . St . Louis would trail in the first quarter as 49ers kicker Joe Nedney got a 48 - yard field goal . The Rams would take the lead in the second quarter as kicker Josh Brown got a 43 - yard field goal , quarterback Marc Bulger completed a 30 - yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Keenan Burton , and Brown making a 38 - yard field goal . After a scoreless third quarter , St . Louis added onto their lead as Brown nailed a 22 - yard field goal . However , San Francisco rallied with quarterback Shaun Hill completing a 3 - yard touchdown pass to former Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce and a 48 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Josh Morgan . With their ninth - straight loss , St . Louis fell to 2 - 13 . Week 17 : at Atlanta Falcons . Hoping to end a miserable season on a high note , the Rams flew to the Georgia Dome for a Week 17 duel with the playoff - bound Atlanta Falcons . St . Louis trailed early in the first quarter as Falcons kicker Jason Elam got a 39 - yard field goal . The Rams would respond with running back Steven Jackson getting a tough 4 - yard touchdown run . Atlanta would answer in the second quarter with running back Michael Turner getting a 9 - yard touchdown run , yet St . Louis would strike right back as quarterback Marc Bulger completed a 16 - yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Donnie Avery . However , it would be the Falcons who took the halftime lead as running back Jerious Norwood got an 8 - yard touchdown run . Atlanta would increase their lead in the third quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan completed an 18 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roddy White . The Rams would begin to rally as kicker Josh Brown nailed a 31 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , St . Louis would regain the lead as Jackson got a 2 - yard touchdown run , followed by Brown ' s 27 - yard field goal . However , the Falcons got the last laugh as Norwood got a 45 - yard touchdown run . With the loss , the Rams closed out their season at 2 - 14 and on a ten game losing streak .