Reliving the 1975 Los Angeles Rams Season

The Cleveland Rams joined the NFL in 1937 and won the NFL Championship in 1945. The following season, the Rams moved to LA. From 1949 to 1955, they appeared in four Championship games, winning one. However, from 1956 to 1966, the Rams had only two winning seasons.

In 1967, the Rams finished the regular season with an impressive 11-1-2 record, but they were no match for the defending Super Bowl Champion GB Packers in the playoffs, losing 28-7.

They returned to the playoffs in 1969 but lost to the Minnesota Vikings 23-20. In 1973, the Rams went 12-2 in the regular season but lost in the playoffs again, this time to the Dallas Cowboys 27-16. The following season, the Rams won their first postseason game since 1951, defeating the Washington Redskins 19-10. The following week, they lost to the Vikings 14-10 in the NFC Championship game.

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LA Rams - 1975 Season

The Rams entered the 1975 season hungry for an NFL title. They had not won one since 1951, before some of the current Rams players were even born.

The season opened on a down note with an 18-7 loss to the Cowboys. Starting quarterback James Harris had a nightmare game, completing 1 of 10 passes for 5 yards and throwing three interceptions. He was replaced by Ron Jaworski, who did only slightly better.

In Week 2, the Rams trailed the 49ers 14-3 at halftime. In the third quarter, Monte Jackson blocked a 49ers punt and scooped it up for a touchdown. With the Rams ahead 16-14 in the fourth quarter, Lawrence McCutcheon caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from James Harris, giving the Rams a 23-14 victory.

Kicker Tom Dempsey had a good game, booting field goals from 37, 47, and 51 yards. James Harris played much better, completing 15 of 24 passes for 193 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Receiver Harold Jackson caught five passes for 109 yards. The Rams’ defense recorded four sacks.

With the Rams trailing 13-10 in the fourth quarter against the Colts, Lawrence McCutcheon ran 25 yards for a touchdown, and LA went on to win 24-13. James Harris had an outstanding game, completing 16 of 22 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns, with just one interception. Harold Jackson caught 4 passes for 108 yards, including a touchdown.

In Week 4, the 0-3 SD Chargers forced the Rams into overtime before Tom Dempsey kicked the winning field goal, giving LA a 13-10 victory. Lawrence McCutcheon rushed for 112 yards on 20 carries. The Rams’ defense recorded four sacks but struggled to contain running back Don Woods, who gained 105 yards rushing and 57 yards receiving.

The Rams got off to a strong start against the Falcons when James Harris connected with tight end Bob Klein on a 44-yard touchdown pass. A 28-yard touchdown pass from Harris to Harold Jackson in the third quarter gave the Rams a 22-0 lead, and they went on to win 22-7. The Rams rushed for 218 yards and held the Falcons to just 63 yards. The Rams’ defense forced six turnovers.

In a Week 6 game against the Saints, the Rams built a 24-0 halftime lead and never looked back. The Rams’ Ground Chuck offense (named after Coach Chuck Knox) rushed for 223 yards, while their defense held the Saints to just 173 yards of total offense. The final score was LA 38, New Orleans 14.

Leading 7-0 in the second quarter against the Eagles on Monday Night Football, James Harris connected with Harold Jackson for a 54-yard touchdown. They connected again on a 30-yard touchdown just before halftime, giving the Rams a 21-3 lead. In the third quarter, Harris connected with Jack Snow for a 42-yard touchdown. Later, defensive end Fred Dryer scooped up a fumble and raced 20 yards for a touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, linebacker Isiah Robertson scored the final touchdown on a 76-yard interception return. The final score was LA 42, Philadelphia 3. James Harris had another good game, completing ten passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. McCutcheon, running behind great blocking, gained 101 yards on the ground. The Rams’ defense kept the pressure on former Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel, sacking him three times and forcing two interceptions.

In a Week 8 game against the 49ers, running back John Cappelletti gave the Rams a strong start with a 25-yard touchdown run. The Rams led 14-0 at halftime, but quarterback Steve Spurrier torched the Rams’ defense, completing 19 of 27 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns. His primary target was receiver Gene Washington, who caught five passes for 144 yards. One reception was a 42-yard touchdown, and another was a 68-yard touchdown. With the Rams clinging to a 23-21 lead late in the game, 49ers kicker Steve Mike-Mayer booted a 54-yard field goal to give San Fran the upset win.

The Rams had a relatively easy time against the Falcons in Week 9. Receiver Ron Jessie had a big game, catching 10 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, as the Rams cruised to a 16-7 win. The Rams’ defense recorded four sacks.

In the first quarter against the Bears, Lawrence McCutcheon ran for a 43-yard touchdown, giving the Rams an early 7-0 lead. By halftime, they had extended their lead to 21-3. In the fourth quarter, John Cappelletti ran for a 30-yard touchdown, capping a 38-10 victory. McCutcheon rushed for 114 yards on 15 carries. The Rams’ pass rush was a force once again, sacking Bears quarterbacks four times.

Four days later, the Rams shut out the Lions 20-0 on Thanksgiving Day. James Harris had another solid outing, completing 11 of 14 passes for 157 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Harold Jackson continued to give cornerbacks fits, catching five passes for 106 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

Although they won 14-7, the Rams looked somewhat lackluster in their Week 12 game against the 2-9 New Orleans Saints. The Rams’ only touchdown came on a 67-yard fumble return by Jim Petersen. Tom Dempsey added two field goals, and Jack Youngblood sacked Archie Manning in the end zone for a safety. The Rams’ offense gained only 232 yards and turned the ball over four times.

The Rams’ defense came up big again in a Week 13 win over the Packers. They allowed just nine first downs and 53 rushing yards, forced four turnovers, and recorded six sacks. The final score was LA 22, Green Bay 5.

Final Regular Season Game vs. Defending Chaps

The final regular-season game was played Saturday night on ABC Sports against the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers entered the game with a 12-1 record, while the Rams were 11-2. Many viewed the game as a Super Bowl preview, but it lost much of its luster because both teams had already clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. It was expected to be a defensive battle, and it was.

With the score tied 3-3 in the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Ron Jaworski, playing for the injured James Harris, ran 5 yards for the winning touchdown. The Rams’ defense had a tough time containing Franco Harris, who ran for 126 yards on 21 carries, but they held the Steelers’ passing game to just 40 yards and forced three interceptions.

Recapping 1975 Regular Season

In the final six games of the season, the Rams’ defense allowed only two touchdowns and three field goals. Six of the Rams’ defensive players made the Pro Bowl, including defensive end Fred Dryer, defensive tackle Merlin Olsen, middle linebacker Jack Reynolds, outside linebacker Isiah Robertson, safety Dave Elmendorf, and defensive end Jack Youngblood. Robertson, Elmendorf, and Youngblood also made the All-Pro team. Youngblood also won the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

On offense, Harold Jackson, Lawrence McCutcheon, and guard Tom Mack were named to the Pro Bowl.

1975 NFC Division Game

On December 27, the Rams played the Cardinals in the Divisional Playoff game. The first half belonged to the Rams. Already leading 7-0, Jack Youngblood intercepted a pass and raced 47 yards for a touchdown. Bill Simpson increased the Rams’ lead to 21-0 with a 65-yard interception return. Harold Jackson added another touchdown on a 66-yard reception.

The Rams led 28-9 at halftime. The Cardinals scored two touchdowns in the second half to make the score more respectable. The final was LA 35, St. Louis 23. With James Harris still nursing a shoulder injury sustained two weeks earlier, Ron Jaworski started at quarterback. Jaworski played a solid game, completing 12 of 23 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. Lawrence McCutcheon set a playoff record, carrying the ball 37 times for 202 yards.

1975 NFC Championship Game

On January 4th, the Rams played the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game. The winner would face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. The 11-4 Cowboys were underdogs despite having already beaten the Rams in Week 1. Rams fans were sure this would finally be the year the Vince Lombardi Trophy would come to LA.

James Harris started for the Rams, but after one incompletion and one interception, he was pulled in favor of Ron Jaworski. Before the Rams knew what hit them, they trailed 21-0 at halftime. The Cowboys scored another touchdown in the third quarter, and the rest of the game was a formality. The Cowboys went on to win 37-7.

The Rams were completely dominated in every category. The Cowboys had 24 first downs to the Rams’ 9. They gained 441 yards to the Rams’ 118. The Rams’ defense couldn’t contain Preston Pearson, who had seven receptions for 123 yards and three touchdowns. The Cowboys sacked Ron Jaworski five times, while the Rams’ defense didn’t sack Roger Staubach at all.

Why The Collapse?

What caused this collapse? Was it just another failure to come through when it counted most? They lost to the Packers in 1967 after a brilliant 11-1-2 season. They lost to the Vikings in 69 after an 11-3 season. They lost to the Cowboys in 73 after a 12-2 season, and again to the Vikings in 74. Now this!

Some pointed to the Rams’ easy schedule and said they weren’t battle-tested. They played only three teams with winning records during the regular season and went 10-1 against teams that finished the season with a combined 43-111 record. But they did beat the Colts, who went 10-4, and the Steelers, who went 15-2 if you include their postseason victories. They also beat the 11-3 Cardinals rather handily in the divisional playoff. Perhaps the Cowboys just had their number, having already defeated them 18-7 in Week 1.

Whatever the reason, it was a major disappointment to have had such a brilliant season only to play so poorly when a Super Bowl trip was on the line.

The Rams lost to the Vikings in 76 and 77 and to the Cowboys in 78. In 79, they posted their worst record since 1972, finishing 9-7. Ironically, they reached the Super Bowl but lost to the Steelers. The Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995 and finally won a Super Bowl in 1999.

Mark Morthier is the host of Yesterday’s Sports, a podcast dedicated to reliving memorable sports moments from his childhood days and beyond. He grew up in New Jersey just across from New York City, so many of his episodes revolve around the great sport’s teams of the 70s for the New York area.

He is also an author of No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training (Second Edition): A Guide for People with Limited Time and Running Wild: (Growing Up in the 1970s)