Despite a loss to the 49ers in Week 17, the Rams secure the NFC’s No. 3 seed and will host their first playoff game in 12 years — welcoming the Falcons to the Coliseum on Saturday for Wild Card weekend. It was a remarkable turnaround for Los Angeles, which went from a 4-12 record just one year ago to an 11-5 finish this season.
Check below for seven of the most eye-opening stats from the Rams 2017 regular season:
FROM WORST TO FIRST
The Rams have completed arguably the most impressive year-to-year turnaround in NFL history. After ranking No. 32 in scoring just one year ago, the club led the league in that regard this season, averaging 29.9 points per game.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Rams are the first team in the Super Bowl era to go from worst to first dating back to 1966. The only other team in NFL history to accomplish the same feat was the 49ers in 1965. Plus, the Rams — with 478 points overall — more than doubled their point total from last season (224).
GURLEY FOR MVP
Running back Todd Gurley has had an MVP-caliber 2017.
The Georgia product led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (13), yards from scrimmage (2,093), and total touchdowns (19). In addition to his 1,305 yards on the ground, Gurley has also developed into a threat in the passing game — posting 788 receiving yards, which is second on the team.
These numbers are especially remarkable when you consider Gurley’s stats from last season. In just 15 games, the running back more than doubled his yards from scrimmage and tripled his touchdown total from last year.
THE NFL’S LEADING SCORER
Kicker Greg Zuerlein finished the season as the NFL’s leading scorer with 158 points. Zuerlein played in just 14 games this season — being placed on the injured reserve with a back injury in Week 15 — but still managed to come out on top.
He averaged 11.3 points per game and completed 95 percent of his field goal and extra-point attempts. In addition to being selected as a Pro Bowler, Zuerlein also finished with the 10th highest single-season scoring total in league history.
GOFF’S HISTORIC SEASON
Quarterback Jared Goff
finished 2017 having completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 3,804 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. In his second pro season, Goff became the first ever Rams QB to throw for at least 25 touchdowns and fewer than 10 interceptions in the same season.
His 28 touchdown passes are also the most by a Rams quarterback since 2001 when Kurt Warner threw for 36. Plus, the Cal product’s 100.5 passer rating is the highest by a Rams’ quarterback since 2002. Warner (109.2 in 1999) and Trent Green (101.8 in 2000) are the only two players above Goff on the list.
MCVAY MAKES HISTORY
Head coach Sean McVay first made history back in January 2017. At just 30-years old, McVay became became the youngest head coach in modern NFL history.
Just one year later, McVay has led the Rams to an 11-5 record and the club’s first NFC West title since 2003. At 31-years old, McVay became the youngest coach to win his division since John Madden in 1970 (34 years old) and the youngest head coach in NFL history to make the playoffs.
LOS ANGELES — PICK CITY
And while much has been made of the offense’s development this season, the L.A. defense also had an impressive 2017. In all, the Rams recorded 18 interceptions — the most by the franchise since 2007.
Nine of those interceptions came against NFC West opponents. That is the most picks for the Rams against teams from their division since 2001.
PLAYOFF BOUND
On Saturday, the Rams will host the Falcons at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the Wild Card round of the NFC playoffs. It will be the first time the Coliseum has hosted a playoff game since 1994.
The Rams’ Wild Card game marks the 28th time that the team has made the postseason and the first time that the club has appeared in playoff action since 2005. It will also be the first time since 1984 that L.A. has hosted a Wild Card contest.