A new era is underway in St. Louis Rams football with Jeff Fisher at the helm. Entering his sixteenth season as a head coach, Fisher ranks nineteenth with 142 all-time win’s in the National Football League (NFL). At last, a spark of hope is seen for the dedicated Ram fans who endure one losing season after the next. The organization made many attempts to move the team in the winning direction with multiple high draft picks including starting quarterback Sam Bradford and defensive lineman Michael Brockers.
Going into the first week of the NFL season, the Rams traveled to Detroit as one of the largest underdogs. After last season’s embarrassing defeat of 44-6 against the Detroit Lions, who were competing without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, expectations were down in the dumpsters.
As the Lions marched down the field on their opening drive, one could not help but wonder if the fans are in for yet another season of misery. Then, straight out of the Detroit Lion Honolulu Blue, second round draft pick Janoris Jenkins jumped into intercept Stafford at the goal line.
A complete shock spread over Rams Nation, wondering if the new era of Jeff Fisher might actually turn this team around. For once there was something to jump out of your seat about in St. Louis Ram football.
The team continued to play solid defense throughout the first half. New additions were finally paying off with Cornerback Cortland Finnegan intercepting Stafford for the second time and taking it back for a touchdown in the second quarter.
At halftime, the Rams were leading the Lions by three and showing the first glimpse of light since the battle for the NFC West two seasons ago. There seemed to be a new spark on the defense with Finnegan inspiring the rookies to step up and make a statement to other NFL teams. At last, the team looked like they were motivated to turn the franchise around.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Rams, were tied with the Lions at thirteen when Brandon Gibson made a sensational jumping grab in the end zone for a touchdown from Bradford. However, the Lions marched right back through the Rams defense to tie the game with six minutes to play. This was one of the crucial parts coach Fisher worked with his new team about. On multiple occasions last season, the squad came so close to victory, but fell short at the last minute.
Driving down the field, the Rams burnt time off of the clock. They came close to taking the lead yet again. Although the game clock should have continued to run, it stopped for three crucial seconds with just over two seconds left. This seemed to disorganize Fisher’s game plan, causing him to call a timeout to set up a field goal with just over two minutes remaining.
Another bright spot of the Rams day, Greg Zuerlein, the Rams kicker, taken in the first round of the offseason draft, managed to split the uprights on all three attempted field goals including his 46 yard kick to take the lead with two minutes remaining.
Sadly, when the defense needed to shine, they appeared tired and were beat out at the last minute on Kevin Smith’s five yard touchdown run with twelve seconds left. Yet again, the team was just seconds from victory and blew the lead with less than one minute left.
Although the results of the game could have been similar, one cannot help but wonder what if the clock had continued to tick. Would the Lions have burned their final time out making their final drive much more chaotic? Rams Nation will never have an answer to that question, but fans can walk away with a sense of optimism with how the team performed on game day.
The underdogs were so close to shocking the football world in week one. But the city shall wait for greatness, for the eyes of Waco are upon us.
