Welcome to the pre-game, quick hit, stats-apalooza. This is a broad, statistical overview of the current Atlanta Falcons' opponent. This week, it's the St. Louis Rams. The Falcons will travel North-West 469 miles to play the Rams at "The Ed" - that's the Edward Jones Dome at America's Center for the more formal - for their first road game in over a month. Let's learn a little bit about our hosts.
The city of St. Louis is known by many nicknames; Gateway City, STL, Gateway to the West, Mound City and The Lou. Their mascot is "a ram like figure" named Rampage. I like Freddie Falcon, but Rampage is way better mascot nickname. I've never heard St. Louis referred to as STL but I like the synergy of ATL vs. STL. Finally, the Rams have 10 players over 30 years old while the Falcons have 12 such players.
FANTASY ALERT: Both the Falcons and Rams have stingy run defenses with the Rams ranked sixth in the league allowing only 97.8 yards per game. The Falcons are right behind at seventh allowing only 98.1 per game. This means you should temper your expectations for Steven Jackson and Michael Turner, despite his 208 yards rushing in 2008. This game will be won by the quarterbacks.
Falcons Vs. Rams
The Falcons bring their plus-nine turnover margin (second-best in the NFL) into the Week 11 meeting with the Rams. This will be the 76th time the Falcons have played the Rams making this the second-most played rivalry behind only the New Orleans Saints (82 games). The Falcons trail the all-time series 26-47-2 which includes a 47-17 playoff win for the Falcons after the 2004 season. This is the ninth time in 10 games the Falcons are playing a team that leads the lifetime series against them but Atlanta has won three of four since 2004.
The Falcons record against the Rams (by decade):
- 2000s ...3-6
- 1990s ...13-7
- 1980s ...6-13
- 1970s ...4-14-2
- 1960s ...0-7
Average Score in all 75 meetings:
- Falcons 16.8
- Rams 23.6
Average Yards:
- Falcons 285.0
- Rams 348.7
Most Points Scored:
Falcons 47, Jan. 15, 2002
Highlight: Atlanta rolled up a team-record 327 yards rushing and three touchdowns on their way to the NFC championship game. Warrick Dunn had 142 yards, Michael Vick scrambled for 119 and TJ Duckett added 66 more in the blowout win.
Rams 59, Nov. 10, 1996 and Dec. 4 , 1976
Fewest Points Scored:
The Falcons have been shutout seven times by the Rams.
Rams 0, Nov. 14, 1993
Longest Streak:
- The Rams have won seven in a row over the Falcons on two different ocassions, the most recent from 1999 to 2003.
- The Falcons have won four in a row over the Rams three different times. The most recent between 1997 and 1998.
Coaches:
The Rams' Steve Spagnuolo is 5-20 as a head coach but he is 6-1 against the Falcons as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants staff from 1999-2008. He is 0-1 in Week 11 games all-time.
Mike Smith is 27-15 as Falcons head coach and is 0-2 in Week 11 games. He is 1-2 against the Rams all-time including his time as a member of the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Best Individual Performances Against the Rams:
- Passing: Wade Wilson, 374 yards, 1992
- Rushing: Michael Turner, 208 yards, 2008
- Receiving: Terance Mathis, 184 yards, 1995
- Sacks: John Rade, 2, 1985