The 2002 season was the St. Louis Rams' 65th in the National Football League (NFL), their eighth in St. Louis and their third under head coach Mike Martz.
Fresh off their trip from Super Bowl XXXVI which ended with a loss to the 11–5 Patriots, the Rams collapsed and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998, losing their first five games.[1]
The season saw the emergence of new quarterback Marc Bulger, who filled in for an injured Kurt Warner and Jamie Martin. The Rams won six straight games where Bulger started and finished, but his season ended in Week 16 at Seattle.
However, the Rams did end the season on a high note with a 31–20 victory at home against the 49ers in Week 17 and they finished the season with a 7–9 record.
History
Beginning in the offseason before the 1999 season, the Rams traded for Marshall Faulk, a running back. They then signed the quarterback, Trent Green and drafted a young wide receiver prospect, Torry Holt thereby making significant changes to their front line. Unfortunately, Green experienced a season-ending injury which brought in Kurt Warner, a relatively unknown player with little experience in the NFL
The injury marked the decline of Kurt Warner and the end of the so called "Greatest Show On Turf." This also marked the first season where the Rams did not make the playoffs under Mike Martz.
Star running back Marshall Faulk started in just 10 games due to ankle injury he suffered against San Diego. This weakened the Rams' running game and he finished the season with just 953 yards rushing, his lowest since 1996, where he rushed for 587 yards. At that time, he was a member of the Indianapolis Colts. His 953 rushing yards this season ended his streak of five straight 1,000 yard rushing seasons. Despite a down year, Faulk was still voted to play in the Pro Bowl after the season for the seventh and final time in his Hall of Fame career.
For the season, the team changed their uniforms, removing the side panels on the jersey.
Offseason
2002 expansion draft
Draft
Undrafted free agents
Roster
Regular season
Schedule
| Week
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Record
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
| 1
|
September 8
|
at Denver Broncos
|
L 16–23
|
0–1
|
Invesco Field
|
75,710
|
| 2
|
September 15
|
New York Giants
|
L 21–26
|
0–2
|
Edward Jones Dome
|
65,932
|
| 3
|
|
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
L 14–26
|
0–3
|
Raymond James Stadium
|
65,652
|
| 4
|
September 29
|
Dallas Cowboys
|
L 10–13
|
0–4
|
Edward Jones Dome
|
66,165
|
| 5
|
October 6
|
at San Francisco 49ers
|
L 13–37
|
0–5
|
3Com Park
|
67,853
|
| 6
|
October 13
|
Oakland Raiders
|
W 28–13
|
1–5
|
Edward Jones Dome
|
66,070
|
| 7
|
October 20
|
Seattle Seahawks
|
W 37–20
|
2–5
|
Edward Jones Dome
|
65,931
|
| 8
|
Bye
|
| 9
|
November 3
|
at Arizona Cardinals
|
W 27–14
|
3–5
|
Sun Devil Stadium
|
47,819
|
| 10
|
November 10
|
San Diego Chargers
|
W 28–24
|
4–5
|
Edward Jones Dome
|
66,093
|
| 11
|
|
Chicago Bears
|
W 21–16
|
5–5
|
Edward Jones Dome
|
66,250
|
| 12
|
November 24
|
at Washington Redskins
|
L 17–20
|
5–6
|
FedExField
|
79,823
|
| 13
|
December 1
|
at Philadelphia Eagles
|
L 3–10
|
5–7
|
Veterans Stadium
|
65,552
|
| 14
|
December 8
|
at Kansas City Chiefs
|
L 10–49
|
5–8
|
Arrowhead Stadium
|
78,601
|
| 15
|
December 15
|
Arizona Cardinals
|
W 30–28
|
6–8
|
Edward Jones Dome
|
65,939
|
| 16
|
December 22
|
at Seattle Seahawks
|
L 10–30
|
6–9
|
Seahawks Stadium
|
63,953
|
| 17
|
|
San Francisco 49ers
|
W 31–20
|
7–9
|
Edward Jones Dome
|
66,118
|
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
|
Game summaries
Week 10: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 10: San Diego Chargers (6–2) at St. Louis Rams (3–5) – Game summary
at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
- STL – Ernie Conwell 17-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick), 11:43. Rams 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 85 yards, 3:17.
- SDG – Ryan McNeil 5-yard fumble return (Steve Christie kick), 7:36. Tied 7–7.
Second quarter
- SDG – Steve Christie 41-yard field goal, 14:01. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 52 yards, 6:50.
- SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 8:54. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 3:26.
Third quarter
- STL – Isaac Bruce 27-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick), 9:12. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 2:22.
- SDG – Donnie Edwards 82-yard fumble return (Steve Christie kick), 5:09. Chargers 24–14.
Fourth quarter
- STL – Isaac Bruce 34-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick), 3:06. Chargers 24–21. Drive: 6 plays, 94 yards, 1:52.
- STL – Isaac Bruce 7-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick), 1:14. Rams 28–24. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 1:52.
|
Top passers
- SDG – Drew Brees – 12/20, 139 yards, 2 INT
- STL – Marc Bulger – 36/48, 453 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
- SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 24 rushes, 120 yards, TD
- STL – Marshall Faulk – 13 rushes, 36 yards
Top receivers
- SDG – Tim Dwight – 4 receptions, 53 yards
- STL – Isaac Bruce – 10 receptions, 163 yards, 3 TD
|
|
Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 11: Chicago Bears (2–7) at St. Louis Rams (4–5) – Game summary
at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
- Date: November 18, 2002
- Game time: 9:00 p.m.
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 66,250
- Referee: Gerry Austin (34)
- TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden and Melissa Stark
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
- STL – Ernie Conwell 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick), 10:05. Rams 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 4:55.
Second quarter
- CHI – Paul Edinger 37-yard field goal, 14:10. Rams 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 6:59.
- CHI – Paul Edinger 48-yard field goal, 6:15. Rams 7–6. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 2:08.
- STL – Lamar Gordon 22-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick), 0:42. Rams 14–6. Drive: 4 plays, 81 yards, 0:46.
Third quarter
- CHI – Anthony Thomas 13-yard run (Paul Edinger kick), 9:23. Rams 14–13. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:37.
Fourth quarter
- STL – Ricky Proehl 8-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick), 9:01. Rams 21–13. Drive: 10 plays, 82 yards, 5:14.
- CHI – Paul Edinger 50-yard field goal, 3:48. Rams 21–16. Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 3:04.
|
Top passers
- CHI – Chris Chandler – 20/33, 157 yards
- STL – Marc Bulger – 21/35, 347 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
- CHI – Anthony Thomas – 14 rushes, 61 yards, TD
- STL – Lamar Gordon – 16 rushes, 45 yards
Top receivers
- CHI – Marty Booker – 7 receptions, 65 yards
- STL – Isaac Bruce – 6 receptions, 141 yards
|
|
Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14: St. Louis Rams (5–7) at Kansas City Chiefs (6–6) – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: December 8
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 38 °F (3 °C)
- Game attendance: 78,601
- Referee: Bill Leavy
- TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Bill Maas, and Joel Goldberg
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
- STL – Jeff Wilkins 36-yard field goal, 12:01. Rams 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 13 yards, 1:47.
- KC – Dante Hall 88-yard kickoff return (Morten Andersen kick), 11:49. Chiefs 7–3.
- KC – Duane Clemons 42-yard fumble return (Morten Andersen kick), 10:16. Chiefs 14–3.
- STL – Isaac Bruce 8-yard pass from Jamie Martin (Jeff Wilkins kick), 1:43. Chiefs 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 51 yards, 2:05.
Second quarter
- KC – Priest Holmes 2-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 8:52. Chiefs 21–10. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 4:56.
- KC – Dante Hall 86-yard punt return (Morten Andersen kick), 6:58. Chiefs 28–10.
- KC – Priest Holmes 1-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 1:57. Chiefs 35–10. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:25.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- KC – Marc Boerigter 6-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 9:56. Chiefs 42–10. Drive: 12 plays, 89 yards, 7:48.
- KC – Mike Cloud 1-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 5:24. Chiefs 49–10. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 3:56.
|
Top passers
- STL – Jamie Martin – 24/35, 218 yards, TD, 2 INT
- KC – Trent Green – 10/15, 100 yards, TD
Top rushers
- STL – Lamar Gordon – 5 rushes, 14 yards
- KC – Priest Holmes – 24 rushes, 132 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
- STL – Isaac Bruce – 5 receptions, 47 yards, TD
- KC – Tony Gonzalez – 5 receptions, 38 yards
|
|
Standings
Division
h St. Louis finished ahead of Seattle in the NFC West based on better division record (4–2 to 2–4).
Conference
|
|
| #
|
Team
|
Division
|
W
|
L
|
T
|
PCT
|
DIV
|
CONF
|
SOS
|
SOV
|
| Division leaders
|
| 1[a]
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
East
|
12 |
4 |
0 |
.750
|
5–1 |
11–1 |
.469 |
.432
|
| 2[a][b]
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
South
|
12 |
4 |
0 |
.750
|
4–2 |
9–3 |
.482 |
.432
|
| 3[a][b]
|
Green Bay Packers
|
North
|
12 |
4 |
0 |
.750
|
5–1 |
9–3 |
.451 |
.414
|
| 4
|
San Francisco 49ers
|
West
|
10 |
6 |
0 |
.625
|
5–1 |
8–4 |
.504 |
.450
|
| Wild Cards
|
| 5
|
New York Giants
|
East
|
10 |
6 |
0 |
.625
|
5–1 |
8–4 |
.482 |
.450
|
| 6
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
South
|
9 |
6 |
1 |
.594
|
4–2 |
7–5 |
.494 |
.429
|
| Did not qualify for the postseason
|
| 7
|
New Orleans Saints
|
South
|
9 |
7 |
0 |
.563
|
3–3 |
7–5 |
.498 |
.566
|
| 8[c]
|
St. Louis Rams
|
West
|
7 |
9 |
0 |
.438
|
4–2 |
5–7 |
.508 |
.446
|
| 9[c]
|
Seattle Seahawks
|
West
|
7 |
9 |
0 |
.438
|
2–4 |
5–7 |
.506 |
.433
|
| 10[d]
|
Washington Redskins
|
East
|
7 |
9 |
0 |
.438
|
1–5 |
4–8 |
.527 |
.438
|
| 11[d]
|
Carolina Panthers
|
South
|
7 |
9 |
0 |
.438
|
1–5 |
4–8 |
.486 |
.357
|
| 12
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
North
|
6 |
10 |
0 |
.375
|
4–2 |
5–7 |
.498 |
.417
|
| 13[e]
|
Arizona Cardinals
|
West
|
5 |
11 |
0 |
.313
|
1–5 |
5–7 |
.500 |
.400
|
| 14[e]
|
Dallas Cowboys
|
East
|
5 |
11 |
0 |
.313
|
1–5 |
3–9 |
.500 |
.475
|
| 15
|
Chicago Bears
|
North
|
4 |
12 |
0 |
.250
|
2–4 |
3–9 |
.521 |
.430
|
| 16
|
Detroit Lions
|
North
|
3 |
13 |
0 |
.188
|
1–5 |
3–9 |
.494 |
.375
|
| Tiebreakers[f]
|
- ^ a b c Philadelphia finished ahead of Tampa Bay and Green Bay based on conference record (11–1 vs 9–3/9–3).
- ^ a b Tampa Bay finished ahead of Green Bay based on head-to-head victory.
- ^ a b St. Louis finished ahead of Seattle based on division record (4–2 to 2–4).
- ^ a b Washington finished ahead of Carolina based on common games (2–3 to 1–4)
- ^ a b Arizona finished ahead of Dallas 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.
|
References
- ^ Martin, Jill. ‘2002: When the Patriots Were a Cinderella Team.’; Cable News Network, January 24, 2019
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| Franchise | |
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| Stadiums | |
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| Culture | |
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| Lore | |
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| Rivalries | |
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| Retired numbers | |
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| Media | |
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| Wild card berths (10) | |
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| Division championships (19) | |
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| Conference championships (8) | |
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| League championships (4) | |
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| Current league affiliations | |
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| Former league affiliation | |
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