1977 Los Angeles Rams season
Encyclopedia
The 1977
Los Angeles Rams
season was the team's 40th year with the National Football League
and the 32nd season in Los Angeles
. Hobbled by chronic knee woes, Joe Namath
was waived by the New York Jets, who were unable to trade him. Namath signed with the L.A. Rams in May 1977. Hope of a revival was stirred when they won two of their first three games, but Namath was hampered by low mobility. After a poor performance in a Monday night loss to the Bears
, Namath never saw NFL game action again. Head coach Chuck Knox was fired after a playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings
due to frustration by the ownership of him not being able to reach the Super Bowl
.
This was the famous "mudbowl" that the Rams lost due to the unlikely rain, spoiling their chance to go to the Superbowl once again.
1977 NFL season
The 1977 NFL season was the 58th regular season of the National Football League. The Seattle Seahawks were placed in the AFC West while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were slotted in the NFC Central....
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 40th 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 32nd 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...
. Hobbled by chronic knee woes, Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
was waived by the New York Jets, who were unable to trade him. Namath signed with the L.A. Rams in May 1977. Hope of a revival was stirred when they won two of their first three games, but Namath was hampered by low mobility. After a poor performance in a Monday night loss to the 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...
, Namath never saw NFL game action again. Head coach Chuck Knox was fired after a playoff loss to the 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...
due to frustration by the ownership of him not being able to reach the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
.
NFL Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | School/Club Team |
|---|
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Notes | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 18, 1977 | 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 17-6 | Namath threw a 27-yard TD pass to 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... early, but then it was all Falcons as their defense totally shut down the running game. 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... , starting in place of injured Steve Bartkowski Steve Bartkowski Steven Joseph "Steve" Bartkowski is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams... , directed a ball-control attack and ran for a touchdown. |
|
| 2 | September 25, 1977 | 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 20-0 | Namath passed for two touchdowns in this game, 14 yards to 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... and 2 yards to Terry Nelson Terry Nelson Terry A. Nelson is a consultant and Republican strategist in the United States. He was the political director of the Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign... . |
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| 3 | October 2, 1977 | 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 34-14 | McCutcheon and 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... both ran for two touchdowns in this rout. Jim Plunkett Jim Plunkett James William "Jim" Plunkett is a former American football quarterback who played college football for Stanford University, where he won the Heisman Trophy, and professionally for three National Football League teams: the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. ... and O.J. Simpson were completely ineffective against the Rams defense. |
|
| 4 | October 10, 1977 | 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... |
L 24-23 | Namath's final NFL start and game. He was 16 for 40 and once again victimized by no running game. Rams did get off to a 13-0 lead, but Bears QB Bob Avellini Bob Avellini Robert Hayden Avellini was a quarterback in the NFL. For most of his career, he played for the Chicago Bears before finishing with the New York Jets. His nickname was "Slow-Mo".-Pro career:... completed two long touchdown passes to James Scott James Scott James Scott may refer to:*James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth , noble recognized by some as James II of England*James Scott , British MP 1710–1711*James Scott , British naval officer... and Walter Payton Walter Payton Walter Jerry Payton was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football... ran for 126 yards to bring the Bears back. |
|
| 5 | October 16, 1977 | 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 14-7 | 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... took back over as the starting quarterback and led a ball-control attack with McCutcheon gaining 152 yards and rookie Wendell Tyler Wendell Tyler Wendell Avery Tyler , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 3rd round of the 1977 NFL Draft. A 5'10", 198 lbs... scoring his first career NFL touchdown on a 16-yard run. |
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| 6 | October 24, 1977 | 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 35-3 | In a Monday Night blowout, Haden passed for two touchdowns and ran for another. The Rams' defense sacked Fran Tarkenton Fran Tarkenton Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton is a former professional football player, TV personality, and computer software executive.... four times and intercepted him twice, both by rookie Pat Thomas. |
|
| 7 | October 30, 1977 | 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 .... |
L 27-26 | In a wild game at the New Orleans Superdome, the Saints won on a 31-yard field goal by Rich Szaro Rich Szaro Rich Szaro is a former professional American football player who played placekicker for five seasons for the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.... with 16 seconds left. |
|
| 8 | November 6, 1977 | 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 31-0 | Haden continued to roll with two more touchdown passes and 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... scored on a 25-yard interception return. |
|
| 9 | November 13, 1977 | at 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 24-6 | McCutcheon and Tyler each scored running TD's and Haden passed for another. | |
| 10 | November 20, 1977 | 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 23-10 | Rookie WR Billy Waddy Billy Waddy Billy Waddy is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for seven seasons for the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings.... scored his first NFL TD on a pass from Haden and McCutcheon scored on a 42-yard run. |
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| 11 | November 27, 1977 | 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... |
W 9-0 | Rams won slug-it-out game in the mud despite Haden throwing 3 INT's. Cappelletti scored on a 7-yard run and Rafael Septien Rafael Septien Jose Rafael Septien was a Mexican placekicker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1978 through 1986. He was the leading scorer for the Cowboys those nine years... added a field goal. |
|
| 12 | December 4, 1977 | Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 20-14 | Against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Rams survived a late scoring drive and touchdown pass by Ken Stabler Ken Stabler Kenneth "Kenny" Michael Stabler , is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders , the Houston Oilers , and the New Orleans Saints... by answering with a 43-yard Haden-to-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... touchdown bomb with around two minutes left. The win clinched the Rams' fifth straight division title. |
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| 13 | December 11, 1977 | 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 23-7 | Rams avenged their season-opening loss to the Falcons as Haden ran for a TD and passed for another to Cappelletti. | |
| 14 | December 17, 1977 | at Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
L 17-14 | In the cold and rain at RFK Stadium Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Washington, D.C., United States, and the current home of MLS's D.C. United.... , Redskins QB Billy Kilmer Billy Kilmer William Orland Kilmer, Jr. was an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, the New Orleans Saints and the Washington Redskins... threw for two early TD's. Rookie backup QB Vince Ferragamo Vince Ferragamo Vince Anthony Ferragamo is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League.-College career:... nearly led the Rams back in the second half with two TD's of his own, but Septien missed a potential game-tying FG with no time left. |
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Playoffs
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divisional | December 26, 1977 | 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 14-7 | |
This was the famous "mudbowl" that the Rams lost due to the unlikely rain, spoiling their chance to go to the Superbowl once again.
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... |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| Los Angeles Rams | 10 | 4 | 0 | .714 | 302 | 146 | L-1 |
| Atlanta Falcons 1977 Atlanta Falcons season The 1977 Atlanta Falcons season was the Falcons 12th season.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-Milestones:* Jerry Glanville's "Grits Blitz" defense set the NFL record for fewest points allowed per game since the AFL-NFL Merger .-References:**... |
7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | 179 | 129 | W-1 |
| San Francisco 49ers 1977 San Francisco 49ers season The 1977 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 28th season in the National Football League. The team was again unable to qualify for the playoffs, this time posting a record of only 5-9, including starting the season 0-5.-Schedule:-Standings:... |
5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | 220 | 260 | L-3 |
| New Orleans Saints 1977 New Orleans Saints season The 1977 New Orleans Saints season was the team's 11th as a member of the National Football League. They were unable to improve on their previous season's output of 4-10, winning only three games... |
3 | 11 | 0 | .214 | 232 | 336 | L-4 |