RAMS AND SEAHAWKS MEET FOR SECOND TIME IN 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009, Edward Jones Dome, Noon (CST)

The Rams welcome NFC West rival Seattle to the Edward Jones Dome on Sunday in the second meeting between the teams this season. The Rams and Seahawks previously met in Week 1 with the Seahawks taking the victory.

The Rams and Seahawks have met 22 times in the regular season and once in the postseason. The Seahawks lead the all-time regular season series, 13-9, dating to a Rams’ 45-6 victory in Seattle’s inaugural season in 1976.

Close games have been common in the series since Seattle joined the NFC West in 2002. In 16 meetings, including the 2004 NFC Wildcard Playoff, eight have been decided by a touchdown or less. In 2004, the Rams and the Seahawks faced off three times, twice in the regular season and once in the postseason. The Rams won all three games, including an Oct. 10, 2004 matchup in which the Rams erased a 17-point fourth quarter deficit, the second-largest comeback with less than six minutes left to play in NFL history.

The Seahawks enter the game at 3-7 this season after a 35-9 loss at Minnesota last week. The Rams are coming off a 21-13 loss vs. Arizona. Running back Steven Jackson led the Rams on offense with 116 rushing yards and a touchdown. The game was Jackson’s fourth consecutive with 100-plus rushing yards and gave him 1,031 on the season. Jackson became the first running back in team history to rush for 1,000 yards in five consecutive seasons. Wide receivers Brandon Gibson, Danny Amendola and Donnie Avery each contributed 60-plus receiving yards. Linebacker James Laurinaitis led the Rams on defense with 17 tackles (13 solo).

Passing

K. Boller
Rams
481 yards

Rushing

S. Jackson
Rams
1031 yards

Receiving

D. Avery
Rams
418 yards

Passing

M. Hasselbeck
Seahawks
1853 yards

Rushing

J. Forsett
Seahawks
255 yards

Receiving

N. Burleson
Seahawks
662 yards

WR Brandon Gisbon has been an important part of the Rams offense over the last two weeks.

In Week 10 vs. New Orleans (11/15), Gibson played in his third NFL game and second as a Ram and led the team with seven receptions for 93 yards (13.3-yard average). Gibson’s seven receptions and 93 yards are the top marks among Rams wide receivers this season. In Week 11 vs. Arizona (11/22), Gibson led the Rams with five catches for 61 yards. In
the last two games, Gibson has made 12 catches for 154 yards.

Gibson, who joined the Rams on October 20, in a trade with Philadelphia, has seen increased playing time since WR Keenan Burton suffered a season-ending knee injury vs. New Orleans.

A sixth-round draft choice (194th overall) of Philadelphia this season, Gibson played in one game for the Eagles before being traded along with a draft choice to St. Louis in exchange for LB Will Witherspoon.

A Washington State product, Gibson finished his career as the school’s all-time leading receiver with 2,756 yards and 17 touchdowns on 182 receptions. Gibson’s 182 catches rank second in school history behind Mike Bumpus’ 195 receptions (2004-07).

4th Quarter

- The Seahawks opted to go for it on fourth and short and Forsett burst through an opening for 10 yards.

- Two plays later, he scored from 2 yards out to give Seattle a 24-10 lead with 13:57 to go.

- The Rams went three and out on the following possession.

- Seattle got a 38-yard field goal on their opportunity to take a 27-10 lead.

- The Rams drove back and got a 16-yard run from Boller to Seattle’s 1.

- After an incompletion, and being stopped short, Jackson put it in from 1 yard out to trim it to 27-17 with 44 seconds to play.

- Seattle recovered the onside kick to end the game and leave with a 27-17 win.

3rd Quarter

- The Rams couldn’t muster much on their opening possession of the second half but the defense forced a three and out.

- On the ensuing punt, linebacker K.C. Asiodu got a piece of it and the Rams got the ball at Seattle’s 35 to open the drive.

- A 12-yard completion to Jackson got the Rams to Seattle’s 23 but two incompletions led to Boller’s second interception of the day, this time Jordan Babineaux intercepted him in the end zone to kill the drive.

- Seattle moved quickly into St. Louis territory with most of the damage coming in the running game.

- But the Rams were able to hold the Seahawks to a 29-yard field goal attempt. Olindo Mare converted to make it 17-10 Seattle with 3:37 to go in the third.

- The Rams went three and out on their next possession and Seattle got excellent field position at the Rams’ 44 to start the ensuing chance.

- At the end of the third, the Seahawks lead 17-10.

2nd Quarter

- The Rams opened the second quarter with an 11-yard catch and run by Danny Amendola. Two plays later, Boller hit Avery for a 1-yard score.

- Brown converted the extra point to tie it at 7.

- The defense followed with a three and out to get it back for the offense as Atogwe deflected a third down pass attempt.

- The Rams moved into Seattle territory but couldn’t convert a third and 3 and had to punt again.

- The Seahawks took over at their 20.

- The Rams defense got another three and out as Atogwe stopped Deion Branch short of the first down marker.

- The Rams took over at their 12.

- St. Louis marched again into Seattle territory on the strength of a 33-yard completion to Martin from Boller.

- Center Jason Brown suffered a right knee injury a couple of plays later. His return is questionable.

- Two plays after that, the Rams opted to go for it on fourth-and-4 and Boller threw to the right for Amendola. The ball was tipped by Kelly Jennings and fell into the arms of corner Josh Wilson.

- Wilson returned it 65 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead with 1:38 to go in the half.

- The Rams started the ensuing possession at their 20 and again moved into Seattle territory as Boller hit completions to Darby and Amendola.

- Brown converted a 55-yard field goal try to send the Rams into the locker room down 14-10.

1st Quarter

- The Seahawks won the toss and elected to receive.

- Rookie middle linebacker came up with his first career sack on the opening play and the defense came up with a three and out.

- The Rams took over at their 25, as Boller hit Randy McMichael for a gain of 12 yards on the first play.

- On the next, Jackson broke a 25-yard run into Seattle territory.

- A 9-yard completion to Donnie Avery and a handoff to Jackson left the Rams short of the first and they opted to go for the field goal. Josh Brown couldn’t convert from 46 yards out, missing wide right.

- Seattle took over at its 36 and quickly marched into St. Louis territory as Justin Forsett broke off a 25-yard run of his own. A 14-yard completion to John Carlson gave Seattle a first down at the Rams’ 25.

- Forsett covered 23 of those yards, including a 3-yard touchdown run to give Seattle a 7-0 lead with just under eight minutes to go.

- After a three and out for the Rams, Seattle took over and moved toward Rams territory but the defense came up with a turnover as Paris Lenon forced a Louis Rankin fumble and cornerback Justin King recovered to give it back to the Rams offense at its 35.

- Boller completed a 27-yard strike to Ruvell Martin to move into Seattle territory.

- At the end of the first quarter, the Rams trail 7-0 and have the ball at Seattle’s 14.

Pregame Notes

- Greetings from the Edward Jones Dome where the Rams and Seahawks are preparing to square off in a noon contest.

- Let’s get right down to business that everyone wants to know about. Running back Steven Jackson arrived early and tested his ailing back. Whatever he did, it was enough to go as he is active and expected to play a large role in the offense once again.

- Jackson’s workload might be trimmed a bit this week but don’t expect it to be too much different. He likely wouldn’t play if he didn’t think he could be effective.

- The Rams made a roster move, bringing Chris Ogbonnaya up from the practice squad and releasing tight end Eric Butler. That was done as a pre-caution in case Jackson was unable to play. With Jackson in the lineup, Ogbonnaya is inactive.

- Joining Ogbonnaya on the inactive list is quarterback Marc Bulger, FB Mike Karney, CB Danny Gorrer, G Roger Allen III, G Richie Incognito, T Jason Smith and WR Jordan Kent.

- With Karney out, the Rams will use Samkon Gado in fullback situations as well as tight ends such as Billy Bajema in an H-back type of role.

- As expected, the right side of the offensive line will have Adam Goldberg at tackle with Mark Setterstrom at guard.

- Phil Trautwein is active for the first time and will serve as a backup at tackle. John Greco is the third tackle.

- Seattle’s inactives are QB Mike Teel, RB Julius Jones, S Jamar Adams, G Mike Gibson, G Mansfield Wrotto, DT Red Bryant, TE Cameron Morrah, DE Derek Walker.

2nd Quarter

KTVI, FOX 2 is once again “The Home of the Rams” in 2007.  On Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m., check out Rams Weekly where Fox 2 Sports Director Martin Kilcoyne goes one on one with head coach Scott Linehan and a Rams’ player.

Prior to each game, Kilcoyne will be joined by the St. Louis Post Dispatch’s Bryan Burwell, FOX 2’s Rob Desir and FOX 2’s Maurice Drummond for Rams Gameday pregame show, bringing viewers in-depth analysis, player profiles and the latest inside scoop on every Rams game.

The 2009-2010 broadcast team for Rams Radio is as follows:

Rams Radio Pre-Game Show:
Host: Randy Karraker
Analyst: Coach Jim Hanifan
Reporter: Brian Stull
Gameday Insider: Jim Thomas
Studio Host: Tom Casey
Segment Contributors: Bernie Miklasz, Bryan Burwell, Pat Parris,
D’Marco Farr and Steve Savard
Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

Rams Radio In-Game Coverage:
Play by Play: Steve Savard
Color Analyst: D’Marco Farr
In-Game Reporter: Brian Stull
Studio Host: Tom Casey
Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

Rams Radio Post-Game Show:
Hosts: Steve Savard and Brent Stover
Analysts: D’Marco Farr and Coach Jim Hanifan
Locker Room Interviews: Brian Stull
Studio Host: Tom Casey
Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

All of the Rams game day shows and coverage, along with the weekly Rams programs will be executed under the watchful eye of Executive Producer Chris Neupert. Studio Producer duties will vary by program and schedule, rotating between 101 ESPN Producers Ben Boyd, Todd Wise and Chris Gardner. Steve Bear will be the In-Game Spotter, and engineering responsibilities will be handled by Dodie Rahlman, Craig Rutledge, Marshall Rice, Bob Hoffman and Ken Cunetto.

Along with the Rams game day coverage and pre-and post-game shows, 101 ESPN will broadcast “Rams Rush Hour Shows” weeknights from 7:00 until 8:00 pm. As part of “Rams Rush Hour Shows,” Coach Steve Spagnuolo and General Manager Billy Devaney are expected to do weekly shows.

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Weekly Prize

Seventeen (17) Weekly Team Prizes (1 weekly prize each week for 17 weeks)

• Week 1: Jason Smith Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 2: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 3: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 4: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 5: Steven Jackson Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 6: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 7: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 8: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 9: Jason Smith Autographed Photo (ARV: $25.00 USD)
• Week 10: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 11: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 12: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 13: Chris Long Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 14: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 15: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 16: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 17: Donnie Avery Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)

One (1) Overall Grand Team Prize
Rams 2010 Home Opener Dream Package: Package for two (2) for the Rams 2010 regular season home opener, includes (2) club seat tickets***, two (2) pre-game sidelines passes, one (1) complimentary parking pass, and one (1) Rams gift bag which includes autographed memorabilia (such memorabilia determined by Rams in their sole discretion). (ARV: $1,500.00 USD).