Rams Clinch NFC West Title, Faulk Eyes Historic Record

Strategic Insights -

The St. Louis Rams sealed their position as division champions with a home game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, with a win ensuring them home-field advantage during the NFC playoffs. The Rams' star players, Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner, have been leading the team to success, with Faulk closing in on a historic record and Warner demonstrating exceptional quarterback skills. Faulk needs 79 yards against the Falcons to reach rushing-receiving 2,000 yards for the fourth consecutive season, a feat no player has achieved in NFL history. Warner, meanwhile, has been outstanding since receiving a cortisone injection for his swollen thumb, completing 67.5% of his passes for 2,242 yards, 19 TDs and eight interceptions in the last seven games.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Rams need to win against the Atlanta Falcons to assure themselves of home-field advantage during the NFC playoffs.
  • Marshall Faulk needs 79 yards against the Falcons to reach rushing-receiving 2,000 yards for the fourth consecutive season, a historic record.
  • Faulk's 165 rushing-receiving yards give him 1,921 yards from scrimmage this season, and he has 109 career touchdowns, which ties him with Barry Sanders for ninth place on the NFL's career list.
  • Kurt Warner has been exceptional since receiving a cortisone injection for his swollen thumb, completing 67.5% of his passes for 2,242 yards, 19 TDs and eight interceptions in the last seven games.
  • Warner has a franchise-record 4,550 yards passing, with 33 TDs for the season, and a passer rating of 111.7 in the last seven games.
  • The Rams' offensive line was excellent, and coach Mike Martz chose to keep Faulk and Warner in the game until the end to allow them to enjoy moment of sealing the division title.
  • Faulk, Warner, and several other players expressed their appreciation for Martz's decision, citing it as a testament to his commitment to the team's success.

Statistics:

  • The Rams have the NFL's best record, with 13 wins and 2 losses.
  • They need 28 points against the Falcons to reach 500 points for the third consecutive season.
  • Faulk has 109 career touchdowns, which ties him with Barry Sanders for ninth place on the NFL's career list.
  • Faulk needs 79 yards against the Falcons to reach 2,000 rushing-receiving yards for the fourth consecutive season.
  • Warner has completed 67.5% of his passes for 2,242 yards, 19 TDs and eight interceptions in the last seven games.
  • Warner has a passer rating of 111.7 in the last seven games.
  • The Rams have won only four division titles in 35 seasons.

Sources:

  • The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
  • NFL.com
  • Rams' official website