(East Los Angeles, CA)[From The Editor’s Desk]: As we all know, the regular season starts and ends as prescribed by the National Football League (NFL). With that being the case, those teams whose season ended in regulation after the scheduled 18 weeks, have been preparing their final recap of the year. And thus, after sharing the Rams look back and review of the season in this posting, we’ll close the door on 2022, move on, and look forward to the 2023 season for our Los Angeles Rams, their fans, and our City of The Angels. 

In addition, it will follow that Rams team staffers will be taking just a little bit of time-off, and then get back to the normalcy of conducting corporate community outreach events, then gear-up the full-time preparations for the 2023 season in the Summer training camp, followed by the pre-season schedule, and then the regular season “kick-off” in September. It’ll be here before we know it so you might as well start making your game-day and season ticket plans now. This posting will feature the Rams Communications Department’s “year in review” press announcement for your reading just below.

Los Angeles, Calif. – The Los Angeles Rams finished the 2022 season third in the NFC West division with a record of 5-12. Throughout the season, young players on the team had increased opportunities to grow and develop with a record number of injuries on both sides of the ball.

According to PFF, the Rams defense had the second-highest tackling grade (88.0) and ranked first in run defense with an 87.0 grade. During the regular season, the Rams defense also ranked sixth in the league with a 77.5 overall grade (PFF) and recorded 13 takeaways in the final 7 games.

During his first season with the Rams, LB Bobby Wagner led the team in tackles (140). He fell three tackles short of breaking the Rams single-season tackle record, set by James Laurinitis (142) in 2011 and 2012. Wagner was the highest-graded linebacker in the league this season with a ranking of 90.7 PFF grade. DB Jalen Ramsey led the Rams in forced fumbles (3) and tallied 88 tackles during the season. Ramsey was second in passes defended (18) and tied for 3rd in pass breakups (12) (TruMedia).

On the offensive side of the ball, RB Cam Akers eclipsed more than 100 rushing yards in three consecutive games to close out the regular season. He became the first Rams running back to have three consecutive 100+ yard rushing performances in the same season since Todd Gurley in 2015. TE Tyler Higbee also broke the Rams single-season franchise record for receptions by a tight end (72) and became the Rams’ all-time leader in touchdowns for tight ends (20). WR Brandon Powell eclipsed 1,000 all-purpose yards this season, leading all Rams players.

On special teams, Powell returned 30 kicks this season and ranked eighth in the NFL in total kick return yards. In Week 18, K/Matt Gay reached 100 made field goals in his career. Gay made 28 field goals this season, the second-most for a season in his career.

With an unprecedented number of injuries, younger players on the roster were able to take advantage of opportunities. Rookie CB Cobie Durant finished the season with three interceptions, which ranked tied for second on the Rams. In Week 16 against the Denver Broncos, Durant caught two interceptions and recorded his first career defensive touchdown on a pick-six for 85-yards. He led the league in interception return yards with 151. DT Michael Hoecht transitioned from defensive tackle to edge rusher midway through the season. From Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs to the end of the season, Hoecht registered 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 24 pressures.

Several Rams players were recognized for notable performances during the season. DT Aaron Donald was voted to his ninth career Pro Bowl and was named an NFLPA All-Pro, voted on by the players. Team award recipients included: Cobie Durant (Rookie of the Year), DB Jordan Fuller (ED Courage Block Award recipient), OT Rob Havenstein (Spirit of the Game award), and Bobby Wagner who was named the team MVP following his first season with the Rams. In Week 14, QB Baker Mayfield won the Nickelodeon Player of the Week because of his fourth quarter comeback win against the Raiders after he joined the team earlier that week. ###