1973 Los Angeles Rams season
Encyclopedia
The 1973
Los Angeles Rams
season was the team's 36th year with the National Football League
and the 28th season in Los Angeles
. The Rams were 7-0 at home for the first time since 1945. On the road, the Rams were 5-2.
, the NFC Player of the Year in 1973, and a stingy Los Angeles defense led the 6-0 Rams to a 10-0 lead in the first half on the way to a 24-7 victory over the 2-2-2 Green Bay Packers
. After a scoreless first quarter, the Rams took the lead on kicker David Ray
's 44-yard field goal. The next score came on a 46-yard touchdown pass from Hadl to former Eagles
wide receiver Harold Jackson
. Green Bay cut the deficit to 10-7 on wide receiver Barry Smith
's 23-yard touchdown catch from MacArthur Lane
on a halfback option pass.
Los Angeles gained momentum in the third quarter on a 40-yard field goal by David Ray. A 1-yard touchdown run by running back Larry Smith
in the fourth quarter put the Rams ahead 20-7. Later in the game, the Packers found themselves deep in their own territory. Moments later, Dryer came storming in from the right side of the defense and chased down Green Bay quarterback Scott Hunter
, dropping him in the end zone for a safety. On the Packer's following possession near their own goal line, Dryer attacked again. He looped through the middle of the Packer's offensive line and dragged backup quarterback Jim Del Gaizo
down for his second safety of the game, setting a new NFL record.
For his efforts, Dryer was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Week.
1973 NFL season
The 1973 NFL season was the 54th regular season of the National Football League. The season featured O.J. Simpson becoming the first man to rush for 2,000 yards in one season...
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 36th 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 28th 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...
. The Rams were 7-0 at home for the first time since 1945. On the road, the Rams were 5-2.
NFL Draft
| Round | Pick | Player drafted or Traded for | Position | College | Trade notes, what Rams traded away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Fred Dryer Fred Dryer John Frederick "Fred" Dryer is an American actor and former football defensive end in the National Football League . Dryer played 13 years in the NFL, playing 176 games, starting 166, and recording 104 career sacks with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams... |
Defensive End | San Diego State | Rams #1 Pick sent to New England Patriots for Dryer |
| 2 | 31 | 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... |
Running Back | Colorado | Chargers #2 Pick acquired for Deacon Jones Deacon Jones David D. "Deacon" Jones is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.Jones specialized in quarterback sacks, a term attributed to him... , Greg Wojic and Lee White |
| 2 | 37 | Ron Jaworski Ron Jaworski Ronald Vincent "Ron" Jaworski is a former American football quarterback and currently an NFL analyst on ESPN. He is also CEO of Ron Jaworski Golf Management, Inc., based out of Blackwood, New Jersey, and manages golf courses in southern New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, and West Virginia... |
Quarterback | Youngstown State | |
| 2 | 42 | Jim Youngblood Jim Youngblood Jimmy Lee Youngblood is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins... |
Linebacker | Tennessee Tech | Chiefs #2 Pick acquired for Willie Ellison Willie Ellison William Henry Ellison is a former American football running back who played eight seasons in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs. Sporting #33, he spent his first four seasons in the NFL as backup behind Larry Smith, before taking over as starting... |
| 3 | 60 | Tim Stokes Tim Stokes Timothy Paul Stokes is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, and the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Oregon and was drafted in the third round of the 1973 NFL... |
Tackle | Oregon | #3 pick from Chargers in D. Jones deal. |
| 4 | 95 | Eddie McMillan Eddie McMillan Edward Alexander McMillan is a former professional American football player who played in seven National Football League seasons from 1973-1979 for the Los Angeles Rams, the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at Florida State University.... |
Cornerback | Florida State | #4 Pick acquired from Chiefs for Pete Beathard Pete Beathard Peter Falconer Beathard is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who played professionally in the American Football League , the National Football League , and the World Football League .... |
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 16, 1973 | at Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... |
W 23-13 | |
| 2 | September 23, 1973 | 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 31-0 | |
| 3 | September 30, 1973 | 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 40-20 | |
| 4 | October 7, 1973 | 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 31-26 | |
| 5 | October 14, 1973 | 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 37-31 | |
| 6 | October 21, 1973 | 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 24-7 | |
| 7 | October 28, 1973 | 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... |
L 10-9 | |
| 8 | November 4, 1973 | 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 15-13 | |
| 9 | November 11, 1973 | 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 29-7 | |
| 10 | November 18, 1973 | 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 31-13 | |
| 11 | November 25, 1973 | 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 24-13 | |
| 12 | December 2, 1973 | at Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 26-0 | |
| 13 | December 10, 1973 | 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 40-6 | |
| 14 | December 16, 1973 | 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... |
W 30-17 | |
Week 6: vs. Packers
Newly acquired quarterback John HadlJohn Hadl
John Willard Hadl is a former collegiate and professional football player.Hadl was born in Lawrence, Kansas. After playing halfback on both offense and defense at the University of Kansas as a sophomore, Hadl played quarterback for his last two years at Kansas, and was selected as the school's...
, the NFC Player of the Year in 1973, and a stingy Los Angeles defense led the 6-0 Rams to a 10-0 lead in the first half on the way to a 24-7 victory over the 2-2-2 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...
. After a scoreless first quarter, the Rams took the lead on kicker David Ray
David Ray (American football)
David Eugene Ray, Jr. is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Alabama as a kicker and wide receiver. He was an All-American kicker in 1964...
's 44-yard field goal. The next score came on a 46-yard touchdown pass from Hadl to former 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...
wide receiver Harold Jackson
Harold Jackson (American football)
Harold Leon Jackson is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League from 1968 through 1983. Jackson was drafted in the 12th round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams...
. Green Bay cut the deficit to 10-7 on wide receiver Barry Smith
Barry Smith (American football)
Barrett Benjamin Smith is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played 42 games for the Green Bay Packers. In 1973, the Green Bay Packers used the 21st pick in the 1st round of the 1973 NFL Draft to sign Smith out of the Florida State University. Smith went...
's 23-yard touchdown catch from MacArthur Lane
MacArthur Lane
MacArthur Lane is a former professional American football player who was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1st round of the 1968 NFL Draft. A 6'0", 220-lb...
on a halfback option pass.
Los Angeles gained momentum in the third quarter on a 40-yard field goal by David Ray. A 1-yard touchdown run by running back Larry Smith
Larry Smith (running back)
William Lawrence "Larry" Smith is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League for six seasons during the 1960s and 1970s...
in the fourth quarter put the Rams ahead 20-7. Later in the game, the Packers found themselves deep in their own territory. Moments later, Dryer came storming in from the right side of the defense and chased down Green Bay quarterback Scott Hunter
Scott Hunter (American football)
James Scott Hunter is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League. He played for the Green Bay Packers, the Buffalo Bills, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Detroit Lions...
, dropping him in the end zone for a safety. On the Packer's following possession near their own goal line, Dryer attacked again. He looped through the middle of the Packer's offensive line and dragged backup quarterback Jim Del Gaizo
Jim Del Gaizo
Jim Del Gaizo was a professional American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants. His career in the National Football League lasted five seasons .-Early life:...
down for his second safety of the game, setting a new NFL record.
For his efforts, Dryer was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Week.
Playoffs
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divisional | December 23, 1973 | at 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... |
L 27-16 | |
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... |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| Los Angeles Rams | 12 | 2 | 0 | .857 | 388 | 178 | W-6 |
| Atlanta Falcons 1973 Atlanta Falcons season The 1973 Atlanta Falcons season was their 8th in the league. The team improved on their previous season's output of 7-7, but failed to reach the playoffs.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | 318 | 224 | W-1 |
| New Orleans Saints 1973 New Orleans Saints season The 1973 New Orleans Saints season was the team's seventh as a member of the National Football League. They improved on their previous season's output of 2-11-1, winning five games. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.... |
5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | 163 | 312 | L-1 |
| San Francisco 49ers 1973 San Francisco 49ers season The 1973 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 24th in the National Football League. They began the season hoping to improve on their previous years' output of 8-5-1, and looking to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. However, the team finished 5-9 and failed to qualify for the... |
5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | 262 | 319 | L-2 |