2012-2016- The Fisher Era

2012 St. Louis Rams schedule features tough road stretch to end season

On Tuesday, April 17, the NFL released the 2012 NFL schedule with a few surprises for the St. Louis Rams. The team will play just three games in the Edward Jones Dome after October 21. If the Rams have any hope of reaching .500 next season, they will need to play winning football in September and October.

High profile game

There are plenty of big games on the Rams’ schedule this season, but there are none bigger than the Oct. 21 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Some fans will argue that all of the NFC West games are more important, and they are, but there is no greater measuring stick for the Rams than the 2010 Super Bowl champions. The Packers were the class of the NFC for most of 2011, and since they will likely be the best team to play in the Edward Jones Dome this season, this game is the one to look forward to in 2012.

No favors

The NFL didn’t do the Rams any favors this season. They have the league’s fourth most difficult 2012 schedule, which is going to hurt their efforts to improve upon the two wins they had last year. The big problem is that, out of their first three games, the Rams will face two playoff contenders on the road. They will also close 2012 with four out of six games on the road, including two trips east and a cross-country trip to finish the year against the rival Seattle Seahawks. Then again, at least the NFL didn’t schedule the Rams to run through the same gauntlet they faced to begin the 2011 season. That was one of the worst stretches I’ve ever seen a team face.

London

The Rams will have the chance to build their brand overseas in their Oct. 28 “home” game against the New England Patriots. While many Rams’ fans are unhappy about owner Stan Kroenke’s decision to move a home game to London, at least it could potentially benefit the franchise long-term. Hopefully, the team represents itself well in front of a London crowd that will likely favor them due to Kroenke’s involvement with Premier League club Arsenal.

2012 St. Louis Rams Schedule

All games are listed in Eastern Standard Time.

Week 1: Sunday, September 9 – at Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 2: Sunday, September 16 – vs. Washington Redskins, 4:05 p.m., FOX

Week 3: Sunday, September 23 – at Chicago Bears, 4:05 p.m., FOX

Week 4: Sunday, September 30 – vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 5: Thursday, October 4 – vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8:20 p.m., NFLN

Week 6: Sunday, October 14 – at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 7: Sunday, October 21 – vs. Green Bay Packers, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 8: Sunday, October 28 – vs. New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m., CBS

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Sunday, November 11 – at San Francisco 49ers, 4:15 p.m., FOX

Week 11: Sunday, November 18 – vs. New York Jets, 1:00 p.m., CBS

Week 12: Sunday, November 25 – at Arizona Cardinals, 4:15 p.m., FOX

Week 13: Sunday, December 2 – vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 14: Sunday, December 9 – at Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 15: Sunday, December 16 – vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 16: Sunday, December 23 – at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 17: Sunday, December 30 – at Seattle Seahawks, 4:15 p.m., FOX

Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter@dciapala.

(Originally published on Yahoo! Sports)

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