1978 Los Angeles Rams season
Encyclopedia
The 1978
Los Angeles Rams
season was the team's 41st year with the National Football League
and the 33rd season in Los Angeles
.
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
, Los Angeles
After the game was tied 10-10 at halftime, the Rams dominated the second half by scoring 24 unanswered points. After the Vikings opened up the scoring with a field goal, Los Angeles marched 59 yards to score on quarterback Pat Haden
's 9-yard touchdown pass to Willie Miller
.
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
, Los Angeles
1978 NFL season
The 1978 NFL season was the 59th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded the regular season from a 14-game schedule to 16. Furthermore, the playoff format was expanded from 8 teams to 10 teams by adding another wild card from each conference...
Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
season was the team's 41st year with the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and the 33rd season in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
NFL Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | School/Club Team |
|---|
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Notes | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 3, 1978 | at Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 16-14 | Rookie kicker Frank Corral Frank Corral Frank Corral is a former National Football League placekicker from 1978-1981. He attended Norte Vista High School in Riverside, California. He was a part of the Rams' Super Bowl XIV team... won it with a 46-yard field goal. |
|
| 2 | September 10, 1978 | Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 10-0 | Rams dominated on both offense and defense, outgaining the Falcons 358 yards to 73. Cullen Bryant Cullen Bryant William Cullen Bryant was a professional American football player who spent thirteen seasons in the National Football League as a running back and return specialist for the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks... had a TD run. |
|
| 3 | September 17, 1978 | Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... |
W 27-14 | Rams got some early bragging rights against the defending Super Bowl champs. Pat Haden Pat Haden Patrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981... 's 42-yard bomb in the third quarter to Willie Miller Willie Miller William Ferguson Miller, MBE is a former professional football player who made a club record 558 league appearances for Aberdeen. He is currently the club's Director of Football... and Rod Perry Rod Perry Rodney Cornell Perry is an American football coach and former defensive back. He is currently a special assistant to the defense for the Indianapolis Colts.-External links:*... 's interception return TD provided the winning points. |
|
| 4 | September 24, 1978 | at Houston Oilers Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
W 10-6 | Rams won a tight defensive struggle as Cullen Bryant Cullen Bryant William Cullen Bryant was a professional American football player who spent thirteen seasons in the National Football League as a running back and return specialist for the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks... had a TD run and Corral a 25-yard FG. This game would be remembered for Houston rookie Earl Campbell Earl Campbell Earl Christian Campbell , nicknamed The Tyler Rose, is a former professional American Football running back. He, Paul Hornung and O.J Simpson are the only people to have won the Heisman Trophy , were first overall National Football League draft picks and are in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame... 's memorable run in the third quarter through Isiah Robertson Isiah Robertson Isiah "Butch" Robertson is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills . He was selected to six Pro Bowls during his years with the Rams. He picked off 25 passes in his career, returning three for touchdowns... and Bill Simpson Bill Simpson Bill Simpson , is a retired American racecar driver, but is best known as a pioneer in the racing safety business with his company Simpson Performance Products. He left Simpson Performance in a controversy surrounding Dale Earnhardt's death and started Impact! Racing... that ended with a concussion. |
|
| 5 | October 1, 1978 | at New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
W 26-20 | Rams jumped to a 20-0 lead, aided by Rod Perry Rod Perry Rodney Cornell Perry is an American football coach and former defensive back. He is currently a special assistant to the defense for the Indianapolis Colts.-External links:*... 's second interception return TD of the season, then held on for the win despite three scoring passes by Archie Manning Archie Manning Elisha Archibald "Archie" Manning III is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League, playing for the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982, then for the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings... . |
|
| 6 | October 8, 1978 | San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
W 27-10 | Defense held 49ers QB Steve DeBerg Steve DeBerg Steven Leroy DeBerg had a long career as an American Football quarterback. His career spanned 21 years over 3 decades. Despite the fact that large portions of his career were spent as a backup, DeBerg ultimately accumulated some impressive NFL statistics, particularly during the early 1990s, when... to 7 for 26 passing and 83 yards. Meanwhile, Rams rushed for 227 yards and another Cullen Bryant Cullen Bryant William Cullen Bryant was a professional American football player who spent thirteen seasons in the National Football League as a running back and return specialist for the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks... TD and Pat Haden Pat Haden Patrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981... threw for two. |
|
| 7 | October 15, 1978 | at Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
W 34-17 | Rams held the Vikings to 222 yards total offense and only 42 yards rushing while rushing for 180 themselves and scoring three fourth-quarter TD's. | |
| 8 | October 22, 1978 | New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
L 10-3 | Rams struggled at home as tackle John Williams John Williams John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T... was called for seven holding penalties. Archie Manning Archie Manning Elisha Archibald "Archie" Manning III is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League, playing for the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982, then for the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings... hit Tony Galbreath Tony Galbreath Tony Dale Galbreath is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints, the Minnesota Vikings, and the New York Giants... with a 19-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter after Rams punter Glen Walker fumbled a snap and was tackled by Saints defensive end Elois Grooms Elois Grooms Elois T. Grooms is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Tennessee Tech and was drafted in the third round of the 1975 NFL Draft.... . |
|
| 9 | October 30, 1978 | at Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 15-7 | Falcons kicker Tim Mazzetti Tim Mazzetti Timothy Alan Mazzetti is a former National Football League placekicker from 1978-1980) for the Atlanta Falcons. He later played with the Boston/New Orleans/Portland Breakers of the United States Football League.... , who just a month prior had been bartending in New Orleans, booted five field goals in this Monday Night game. |
|
| 10 | November 5, 1978 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... |
W 26-23 | Bucs QB Doug Williams left early with a broken jaw, but backup Mike Rae Mike Rae Michael John Rae is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League.-Early life:Rae attended and played high school football at Lakewood High School.-College career:... nearly led a comeback to a major upset with his passing and running (4 scrambles for 95 yards). Bucs tied it in fourth on a tipped TD pass from Rae to J.K. McKay, but Corral won it with a late field goal as Rams narrowly avoided a third straight loss. |
|
| 11 | November 12, 1978 | Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
W 10-7 | Rams won a tough defensive struggle at home as John Cappelletti John Cappelletti John Cappelletti is a former professional American football running back for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and the San Diego Chargers. Prior to his professional career, he attended the Pennsylvania State University, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1973. He was inducted into the College Football... ran for 105 yards and Pat Haden Pat Haden Patrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981... passed to Willie Miller Willie Miller William Ferguson Miller, MBE is a former professional football player who made a club record 558 league appearances for Aberdeen. He is currently the club's Director of Football... for the winning touchdown in the fourth. |
|
| 12 | November 19, 1978 | at San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
W 31-28 | Rams won once again on a late field goal by Corral, overcoming three rushing TD's by Paul Hofer Paul Hofer Paul Hofer is a former professional American football player who played running back for six seasons in the NFL. He was a part of the San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XVI winning team. Known for his hard and relentless running style, Hofer was a fan favorite despite being on poor 49ers teams in the... and a kickoff return TD by Dave Williams Dave Williams Dave Williams may refer to:*Dave Williams , late original singer for the band Drowning Pool*Dave Williams , Australian Radio Host* Dave Williams, wrestler better known by the ring name David Young... . |
|
| 13 | November 26, 1978 | at Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 30-19 | Browns dominated on a cold, rainy day, intercepting three Pat Haden Pat Haden Patrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981... passes and getting a 57-yard TD run by Greg Pruitt Greg Pruitt Gregory Donald Pruitt is a former American football running back in the NFL from 1973 through 1984. He was selected to five Pro Bowls, four as a member of the Cleveland Browns and one as a member of the Los Angeles Raiders, the last one as a kick returner... . Rams RB Lawrence McCutcheon Lawrence McCutcheon Lawrence McCutcheon is a former American football running back for the Los Angeles Rams from 1972–1980, the Denver Broncos & Seattle Seahawks in 1980 and finished his playing career in 1981 with the Buffalo Bills, reuniting with his former Rams coach Chuck Knox.-Professional Career:McCutcheon was... suffered a severe calf muscle pull and was declared out for the season. |
|
| 14 | December 3, 1978 | at New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 20-17 | This one was won by the Rams' pass defense. Giants had only 12 completions in 34 attempts and 4 interceptions, including one returned for a TD by Pat Thomas. Giants ran ball well (185 yards), but it wasn't enough. | |
| 15 | December 11, 1978 | Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... |
L 20-19 | Rams jumped to a 13-0 lead at home, but couldn't hold back the Bengals as kicker Chris Bahr Chris Bahr Chris Bahr is a former professional American football and soccer player. He was a placekicker in the National Football League and played midfielder in the North American Soccer League.-Soccer:... won it with two late field goals. Pat Haden Pat Haden Patrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981... threw for a career-high 283 yards despite injuring his passing thumb in the third quarter. |
|
| 16 | December 17, 1978 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
W 31-14 | Rod Perry Rod Perry Rodney Cornell Perry is an American football coach and former defensive back. He is currently a special assistant to the defense for the Indianapolis Colts.-External links:*... had his third interception return TD of the season and Cullen Bryant Cullen Bryant William Cullen Bryant was a professional American football player who spent thirteen seasons in the National Football League as a running back and return specialist for the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks... ran for a career-high 121 yards and two TD's. |
|
Standings
| NFC West NFC West The NFC West is a division of the National Football League's National Football Conference. It currently has four members: Arizona Cardinals, St... |
||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 316 | 245 |
| Atlanta Falcons 1978 Atlanta Falcons season The 1978 Atlanta Falcons season was the Falcon's 13th season. It was the first postseason appearance in franchise history.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-NFC Wild Card Game:... |
9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 240 | 290 |
| New Orleans Saints 1978 New Orleans Saints season The 1978 New Orleans Saints season was the Saints 12th season.-Offseason:* On August 5, the NFL played its first game in Mexico City. The New Orleans Saints beat the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 14-7.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 281 | 298 |
| San Francisco 49ers 1978 San Francisco 49ers season The 1978 San Francisco 49ers season was their 29th season in the National Football League. The team began the season hoping to improve upon their previous output of 5-9, however, they instead started the season 0-4 for the second straight year, and this season also featured a nine game losing... |
2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 219 | 350 |
NFC Divisional Playoff
- Los Angeles Rams 34, Minnesota Vikings 10
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
- TV: CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
- Attendance: 69,631
After the game was tied 10-10 at halftime, the Rams dominated the second half by scoring 24 unanswered points. After the Vikings opened up the scoring with a field goal, Los Angeles marched 59 yards to score on quarterback Pat Haden
Pat Haden
Patrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981...
's 9-yard touchdown pass to Willie Miller
Willie Miller
William Ferguson Miller, MBE is a former professional football player who made a club record 558 league appearances for Aberdeen. He is currently the club's Director of Football...
.
NFC Championship Game
- Dallas Cowboys 28, Los Angeles Rams 0
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
- TV announcers (CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
): Pat SummerallPat SummerallGeorge Allen "Pat" Summerall is a former American football player and television sportscaster, having worked at CBS, Fox, and ESPN.Summerall is best known for his work with John Madden on NFL telecasts for CBS and Fox.-High school:...
and Tom BrookshierTom BrookshierThomas Jefferson "Tom" Brookshier was an American professional football player, coach and sportscaster. He was a starting defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles for seven seasons from 1953 to 1961... - Referee: Ben DreithBen DreithBen Dreith is a former American professional football on-field official who worked from 1960 to 1969 in the American Football League and from 1970 to 1990 in the NFL. Prior to his teaching and officiating career, he was a three-sport athlete at the University of Northern Colorado.Dreith developed...
- Attendance: 67,470