Throwback Ten: Week 13

Each week throughout the 2015 NFL Season, ProFootballHOF.com will preserve some history by taking a look back at a matchup from the weekend’s schedule.

The Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams battle in a Week 13 NFC West showdown for the second time this season. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 24-22 in Week 4 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals look to increase their lead in the NFC West, while the Rams try to end a four-game losing streak.

To help put this Sunday afternoon’s matchup into perspective, here are ten quick historical notes about the Cardinals-Rams series.

1.

The rivalry between the Cardinals and Rams dates back to 1937 when the Cardinals were located in Chicago and the Rams were based in Cleveland. The Cardinals won 6-0 on a Gaynell Tinsley 20-yard fumble return touchdown.

2.

This matchup marks the 74th all-time meeting between the two franchises during the regular season. The Cardinals hold a slight 36-35-2 advantage in the series.

3.

This week’s game represents the 15th time the Cardinals travel back to St. Louis (where they played from 1960-1987) to play the Rams who relocated from Los Angeles to St. Louis in 1995. Arizona has a 9-5 record in the previous 14 games.

4.

The Cardinals were victorious 23-20 on Nov. 27, 2011 in large part due to the 228 rushing yards gained by running back Beanie Wells in St. Louis. Wells’ total set a single-game franchise record for rushing yards.

5.

Cardinals QB Jim Hart tied the longest pass play in franchise history with a 98-yard strike to Ahmad Rashad (then known as Bobby Moore) in a 24-14 victory on Dec. 10, 1972. The play remains the longest non-scoring pass play in NFL history.

6.

Two games not included in the total meetings were both played in 1944 when the Cardinals merged with the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a player shortage caused by WWII. The Rams won both games against Card-Pitt that season.  

7.

Cornerback Patrick Peterson set a Cardinals’ record for the longest punt return in franchise history on Nov. 6, 2011. Peterson fielded the punt at the 1-yard line in overtime and proceeded to return it 99-yards for the game-winning touchdown.

 

8.

Gold Jacket Aeneas Williams played for both the Cardinals (1991-2000) and the Rams (2001-2004) during his 14-year career. The first of his 55 career interceptions came during his rookie season against the Rams on Sept. 1, 1991. The final interception of his career came against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 8, 2003 for the Rams.

9.

The two franchises have only met once in the postseason. The Rams won 35-23 in the divisional round of the 1975 playoffs.

10.

Over the 78 years of this series, games have been played in 13 stadiums in eight different cities. The venues include Wrigley Field (Chicago), Comiskey Park (Chicago), Civic Stadium (Buffalo), Sportsman Park (St. Louis), Busch Memorial Stadium (St. Louis), Sun Devil Stadium (Phoenix), University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale), Cleveland Municipal Stadium (Cleveland), League Park (Cleveland), Shaw Stadium (Cleveland), The L.A. Coliseum (Los Angeles), The Anaheim Stadium (Anaheim) and the Edward Jones Dome (St. Louis).