1999 St. Louis Rams

The 1999 St. Louis Rams season marked a historic and transformational year for the franchise. Under the leadership of head coach Dick Vermeil, the Rams defied expectations, making an incredible turnaround that culminated in an unlikely Super Bowl victory. The team finished the regular season with an 13-3 record, winning the NFC West division and setting the stage for one of the most memorable playoff runs in NFL history.

 

Record: 13-3

The Rams’ 13-3 record was a remarkable improvement from the previous season, when they had finished with a 4-12 record. The team’s resurgence was fueled by a high-powered offense, a much-improved defense, and the development of key players who would go on to become legends in the NFL.

The 1999 Rams were the epitome of offensive efficiency and explosiveness. Known for their “Greatest Show on Turf” offense, the Rams transformed into one of the most dynamic and high-scoring teams in the league, led by quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk, and wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt.

Offensive Explosion: The “Greatest Show on Turf”

The Rams’ offensive success in 1999 was built around their high-flying, no-huddle, pass-first attack, which was later dubbed the “Greatest Show on Turf.” The offense set numerous records for points, yards, and overall efficiency. Led by Kurt Warner, who was still considered an unknown commodity at the time, the Rams became the most feared offense in the NFL.

Kurt Warner, who took over the starting quarterback position after an injury to Trent Green in the preseason, had a breakout year. Warner threw for 4,353 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only 13 interceptions, capturing the NFL MVP award. His rise from an arena league quarterback to Super Bowl MVP became one of the most remarkable stories in NFL history.

At running back, Marshall Faulk played a pivotal role in both the rushing and passing game. Faulk rushed for 1,381 yards and scored 12 touchdowns, but it was his ability as a receiver that truly made him a game-changer. Faulk caught 87 passes for 1,048 yards and 5 touchdowns, becoming one of the most versatile players in the NFL.

Wide receivers Isaac Bruce and rookie Torry Holt formed a dynamic duo on the outside, with Bruce recording 1,165 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns and Holt contributing 788 yards and 3 touchdowns. The offensive line, led by Orlando Pace, was one of the league’s best, providing Warner with the time he needed to orchestrate the explosive offense.

The Rams averaged an astounding 32.9 points per game in 1999, which ranked first in the NFL. Their success was not just in their ability to score points, but in their efficiency and ability to strike quickly, often leaving opposing defenses helpless.

Defense: A Solid and Growing Unit

While the Rams’ offense garnered most of the attention, the defense was quietly improving, providing much-needed support. The Rams were not as dominant on defense as they were on offense, but they had a number of key contributors who made critical plays.

The defensive line, led by Kevin Carter, provided consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Aeneas Williams, one of the top cornerbacks in the league, was a standout in the secondary, finishing the season with 7 interceptions. The defense finished the regular season ranked 19th in total defense, but they were capable of stepping up when needed, especially in the postseason.

The defensive improvement was evident during the playoff run, as they stifled some of the league’s best offenses, including a dominant Minnesota Vikings team in the NFC Championship Game.

Special Teams

The Rams’ special teams also played a crucial role in the 1999 season. Kicker Jeff Wilkins was reliable all season long, finishing with 27 field goals on the year. Wilkins’ consistency helped the Rams win tight games, and he provided the team with confidence in high-pressure situations.

In the return game, Az-Zahir Hakim was a threat, adding an extra layer of explosiveness to the team’s already high-powered offense. Hakim returned two punts for touchdowns during the season, keeping the Rams’ special teams unit among the league’s best.

Playoff Run

The Rams’ 1999 postseason run was an unforgettable one, culminating in a Super Bowl victory.

• NFC Wild Card: The Rams began their playoff journey with a dominant 23-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the wild card round, showcasing both their offensive firepower and defensive toughness.

• NFC Divisional Round: They followed that up with a 49-37 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, another high-scoring affair that sent them to the NFC Championship Game.

• NFC Championship: The NFC Championship was a game for the ages. The Rams faced off against the Minnesota Vikings in one of the most memorable games in franchise history. In a 49-37 victory, the Rams overcame a tough Vikings squad, with Kurt Warner throwing for 391 yards and 5 touchdowns. This victory sent the Rams to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.

• Super Bowl XXXIV: The Rams faced the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta. The game was one of the most dramatic Super Bowl matchups of all time. The Rams led most of the game but had to withstand a fierce late-game comeback by the Titans. In the final moments, the Titans were stopped just one yard short of a game-tying touchdown, as Mike Jones tackled Kevin Dyson on the famous “One Yard Short” play. The Rams held on for a 23-16 victory, securing their first-ever Super Bowl championship.

Dick Vermeil’s Leadership

The success of the 1999 Rams can largely be attributed to head coach Dick Vermeil, who instilled a culture of hard work, discipline, and resilience. Vermeil’s ability to take an underdog team and lead them to the pinnacle of the NFL in just his third year as head coach was nothing short of extraordinary. He helped transform a team that had struggled for years into a championship-caliber squad.

Legacy

The 1999 St. Louis Rams are remembered as one of the most electrifying teams in NFL history. Their Super Bowl XXXIV victory solidified their place in the history books, and the “Greatest Show on Turf” became a symbol of offensive brilliance in the NFL. The success of the 1999 season helped establish the Rams as a legitimate contender for years to come, and players like Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt became household names.

The 1999 Rams’ story is one of resilience, talent, and teamwork, and it is a season that will forever be remembered by fans as one of the greatest in NFL history.

Head Coach: Dick Vermeil

• To be listed, a player must have played at least one game for the team during this season.
• * Hall of Fame
• + Primary starter

Pos	#		Player	GP	GS	Start Pos	Exp	DOB	Ht	Wt	College
DT			Ray Agnew	16			10	12/09/1967	‘ “		North Carolina State
CB			Taje Allen	16			3	11/06/1973	‘ “		Texas
DE/DT			Lionel Barnes	3			R	04/19/1976	‘ “		Northeast Louisiana
CB			Dre’ Bly	16			R	05/22/1977	‘ “		North Carolina
WR			Isaac Bruce	16			6	11/10/1972	‘ “		Memphis State
S			Devin Bush	16			5	07/03/1973	‘ “		Florida State
S			Ron Carpenter	11			5	01/20/1970	‘ “		Miami (OH)
DE/DT			Kevin Carter	16			5	09/21/1973	‘ “		Florida
LB			Charlie Clemons	16			3	07/04/1972	‘ “		Georgia
S			Rich Coady	16			R	01/26/1976	‘ “		Texas A&M
LB			Todd Collins	16			7	05/27/1970	‘ “		Carson-Newman (TN)
TE			Ernie Conwell	3			4	08/17/1972	‘ “		Washington
CB			Clifton Crosby	1			1	09/17/1974	‘ “		Maryland
DT			D’Marco Farr	16			6	06/09/1971	‘ “		Washington
RB		*	Marshall Faulk	16			6	02/26/1973	‘ “		San Diego State
LB			London Fletcher	16			2	05/19/1975	‘ “		John Carroll (OH)
QB			Joe Germaine	3			R	08/11/1975	‘ “		Ohio State
C			Mike Gruttadauria	16			4	12/06/1972	‘ “		Central Florida
WR			Az-zahir Hakim	15			2	06/03/1977	‘ “		San Diego State
RB			Derrick Harris	1			3	09/18/1972	‘ “		Miami (FL)
DT			Nate Hobgood-Chittick	10			1	11/30/1974	‘ “		North Carolina
RB			James Hodgins	15			1	04/30/1977	‘ “		San Jose State
RB			Robert Holcombe	15			2	12/11/1975	‘ “		Illinois
WR			Torry Holt	16			R	06/05/1976	‘ “		North Carolina State
P			Mike Horan	8			16	02/01/1959	‘ “		Long Beach State
WR			Tony Horne	12			2	03/21/1976	‘ “		Clemson
DT			Gaylon Hyder	4			1	10/18/1974	‘ “		Texas Christian
S			Billy Jenkins	16			3	07/08/1974	‘ “		Howard
LB			Mike A. Jones	16			9	04/15/1969	‘ “		Missouri
QB			Paul Justin	10			5	05/19/1968	‘ “		Arizona State
RB			Amp Lee	7			8	10/01/1971	‘ “		Florida State
TE			Chad Lewis	6			3	10/05/1971	‘ “		Brigham Young
DE/LB			Leonard Little	6			2	10/19/1974	‘ “		Tennessee
CB			Todd Lyght	16			9	02/09/1969	‘ “		Notre Dame
S			Keith Lyle	9			6	04/17/1972	‘ “		Virginia
CB			Dexter McCleon	15			3	10/09/1973	‘ “		Clemson
C/G			Andy McCollum	16			5	06/02/1970	‘ “		Toledo
T			Fred Miller	16			4	02/06/1973	‘ “		Baylor
LB			Mike Morton	16			5	03/28/1972	‘ “		North Carolina
C			Tom Nutten	14			3	06/08/1971	‘ “		Western Michigan
T		*	Orlando Pace	16			3	11/04/1975	‘ “		Ohio State
LB			Troy Pelshak	9			1	03/06/1977	‘ “		North Carolina A&T
WR			Ricky Proehl	15			10	03/07/1968	‘ “		Wake Forest
TE/LS/DE			Jeff Robinson	16			7	02/20/1970	‘ “		Idaho
G			Cameron Spikes	5			R	11/06/1976	‘ “		Texas A&M
LB			Lorenzo Styles	16			5	01/31/1974	‘ “		Ohio State
WR			Chris Thomas	6			4	07/16/1971	‘ “		Cal Poly – S.L.O.
G			Adam Timmerman	16			5	08/14/1971	‘ “		South Dakota State
T/C/G			Ryan Tucker	16			3	06/12/1975	‘ “		Texas Christian
P			Rick Tuten	8			11	01/05/1965	‘ “		Florida State
QB		*	Kurt Warner	16			2	06/22/1971	‘ “		Northern Iowa
RB			Justin Watson	8			1	01/07/1975	‘ “		San Diego State
K			Jeff Wilkins	16			6	04/19/1972	‘ “		Youngstown State
DT/DE			Jay Williams	16			5	10/13/1971	‘ “		Wake Forest
TE			Roland Williams	16			2	04/27/1975	‘ “		Syracuse
DE			Grant Wistrom	16			2	07/03/1976	‘ “		Nebraska
DT			Jeff Zgonina	16			7	05/24/1970	‘ “		Purdue