ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Rams will open the 2013 campaign by hosting NFC West rival Arizona and will play nationally-televised contests against San Francisco and Seattle at home this season.
The defending NFC Champion 49ers will visit the Edward Jones Dome for an NFL Network Thursday Night game in Week 4 (9/26), and the Seahawks will play the Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 8 (10/28). The Rams’ last Monday Night home game came in 2006 when they hosted the Chicago Bears. St. Louis has not hosted two primetime games in the same season since 2004.
"We are thrilled for our fans that Monday Night Football is returning to St. Louis for the first time since 2006," Rams Executive Vice President of Football Operations/COO Kevin Demoff said. "The opportunity to host two primetime games against division rivals is a direct reflection on the passion of our fan base and what a special environment the Edward Jones Dome can be at night. Our fans proved to be the edge in many games last year and the outstanding home schedule this year will give them the chance to make a difference once again."
Click here to view the Rams' 2013 schedule.
After opening against the Cardinals, the Rams travel to Atlanta to face Steven Jackson and the Falcons in Week 2. The Rams hold a 47-27-2 advantage in the all-time series and this will be the team’s first trip to the Georgia Dome since 2008.
The Rams remain on the road in Week 3 as they visit Dallas for the second time in three seasons. The Rams and Cowboys last met at Cowboys Stadium in 2011, and the all-time series is tied, 15-15.
Week 4 brings the 49ers to the Edward Jones Dome on Thursday night, and the Rams remain at home in Week 5 to host the St. Louis native Blaine Gabbert and the Jacksonville Jaguars. This year’s contest will be just the fourth meeting between the Rams and Jaguars.
St. Louis hits the road for a two-game swing early October as they visit Houston (10/13) in Week 6 followed by a trip to Carolina in Week 7 (10/20).
The Rams will be at home in Weeks 8 and 9 as they play the Seahawks in the Monday Night contest followed by a visit from the Tennessee Titans. The Week 9 game (11/3) will pit Head Coach Jeff Fisher against the team he led for 17 seasons.
In Week 10, St. Louis plays a second-consecutive game against an AFC South opponent as it makes its shortest trip of the year. The Rams will face the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 10.
The Rams’ bye week comes in Week 11, followed by a home game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 24. St. Louis and Chicago meet for the second time in as many years as Chicago makes its first trip to St. Louis since 2008.
St. Louis will play consecutive road games against NFC West opponents in Weeks 12 and 13. The Rams visit Candlestick Park on Dec. 1 to face the 49ers, followed by a trip to Arizona on Dec. 8.
The Rams wrap up their home schedule with consecutive games at the Edward Jones Dome in Weeks 15 and 16. The New Orleans Saints visit on Dec. 15, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be in St. Louis on Dec. 22. The Rams have won their last contest against both of these NFC South opponents. They defeated the Saints in St. Louis in 2011 while the Rams won in Tampa last season.
For the third time in four years, the Rams will conclude their regular season in Seattle. St. Louis heads to the Emerald City in Week 17 to face the Seahawks on Dec. 29.
