What Is 2017 Los Angeles Rams season

Overview

The 2017 Los Angeles Rams season marked a turning point for the franchise, signaling a return to competitiveness after years of struggle. Under first-year head coach Sean McVay, the Rams improved dramatically from a 4-12 record in 2016 to an 11-5 record, capturing the NFC West title for the first time since 2003.

Playing home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Rams energized a dormant fanbase with an aggressive, modern offense. Their playoff appearance was their first since 2004, ending a 13-year postseason drought and setting the stage for future success.

• Sean McVay was hired as head coach in January 2017 at age 30, making him the youngest head coach in the modern NFL era.
• The Rams started the season strong, winning 5 of their first 6 games, including a 33-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5.
• Quarterback Jared Goff threw for 3,804 yards and 28 touchdowns, a massive improvement from his rookie struggles in 2016.
• Running back Todd Gurley rushed for 1,378 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning First-Team All-Pro honors.
• The defense, led by Aaron Donald (11.0 sacks) and John Johnson (4 interceptions), ranked 13th in points allowed.

How It Works

The Rams' success in 2017 stemmed from a complete overhaul of culture, scheme, and personnel under Sean McVay’s leadership. His offensive philosophy revitalized the team and redefined the quarterback position for Jared Goff.

• West Coast Offense: McVay implemented a modern version of the West Coast scheme, emphasizing timing routes and play-action. This system maximized Goff’s decision-making and accuracy.
• Play-Action Passing: The Rams led the NFL in play-action usage, with 31.4% of passes coming from play fakes, helping Goff average 8.0 yards per attempt.
• Offensive Line Revamp: After poor protection in 2016, the Rams invested in the line, allowing only 22 sacks in 2017, down from 49 the prior year.
• Defensive Identity: Coordinator Wade Phillips used a 3-4 base with aggressive fronts; Aaron Donald was unblockable, earning Defensive Player of the Year consideration.
• Special Teams Growth: Kicker Greg Zuerlein made 33 of 36 field goals (91.7%), including a 56-yarder, while rookie John Wolford showed promise on kickoffs.
• Home Field Strategy: Despite playing at the aging Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Rams posted a 7-1 home record, leveraging crowd noise and familiarity.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 Rams showed dramatic improvement across key performance metrics compared to the previous season. The table below highlights year-over-year changes.

This transformation was fueled by McVay’s leadership, player development, and smart roster moves. The Rams went from one of the league’s worst teams to a playoff contender in just one season, a rare feat in the NFL.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season reshaped the Rams franchise and influenced NFL coaching trends league-wide. It proved that a young, innovative coach could rapidly turn around a struggling team.

• McVay Effect: His success led to a wave of younger head coaches being hired across the NFL, including Matt LaFleur and Zac Taylor.
• Quarterback Redemption: Jared Goff’s turnaround showed that player development and scheme fit are critical to quarterback success.
• Los Angeles Revival: The Rams re-established relevance in LA, paving the way for the eventual move to SoFi Stadium in 2020.
• Draft Strategy Shift: The team prioritized offensive talent, using early picks on players like Cooper Kupp, who had 88 receptions in 2017.
• Defensive Foundation: Aaron Donald’s dominance became the cornerstone of a defense that would reach Super Bowl LIII two years later.
• Cultural Reset: The Rams shifted from a losing culture to one of confidence, professionalism, and high expectations.

The 2017 season was not just a successful year—it was a franchise-altering moment that redefined the Rams’ trajectory for the next decade.