Earlier in the week we were talking about the Rams posting two straight shutouts, a rare feat. Now we’re talking about them going three games without allowing a touchdown, another rare feat. Five teams have done it in the 2000s:
TEAMS IN THE 2000S THAT DIDN’T ALLOW A TD IN 3 CONSECUTIVE GAMES
| Year | Team (W-L) | Opponents (Score) | PA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Rams (6-8)* | Raiders (52-0), Redskins (24-0), Rams (L, 12-6) | 12 |
| 2011 | Dolphins (6-10)* | Chiefs (31-3), Redskins (20-9), Bills (35-8) | 20 |
| 2008 | Dolphins (11-5) | Rams (16-12), Bills (16-3), 49ers (14-9) | 24 |
| 2000 | Titans (13-3) | Bengals (35-3), Browns (24-0), Cowboys (31-0) | 3 |
| 2000 | Steelers (9-7)* | Jets (20-3), Bengals (15-0), Browns (22-0) | 3 |
*missed playoffs
The thing about the Steelers’ streak is that it kept going. They extended it to five games before giving up a touchdown to the Eagles. (Where have you gone, Jeff Thomason? He was the guy who scored it.)
In all, the Steelers allowed six field goals during this stretch. And they didn’t make the playoffs! Their 9-7 record left them in the First Alternate position. In fact, three of the above teams failed to earn a postseason berth (and the two that did were one-and-done). Go figure.
The Rams have a chance to match the Steelers’ run, but it won’t be easy. They have the Giants (home) and Seahawks (away) left on their schedule, and it doesn’t look like Seattle will be in a position to mail-in the last game, not with the division title — and possibly home-field advantage in the NFC — at stake.
Still, it’s been an impressive display of defense, even if the Rams haven’t exactly faced a Murderer’s Row of quarterbacks (Derek Carr, Colt McCoy, Drew Stanton). That’s usually how it is with these streaks — hot defenses squashing less-than-quality competition (and their club being fortunate enough not to give up any return TDs, of course).
One final note: Two of these teams (2014 Rams, 2000 Titans) had Gregg Williams as their defensive coordinator. Gotta be more than just a coincidence, don’t you think?
Source: pro-football-reference.com
“That’s Gregg with TWO G’s.”
