The 1968 season was full of drama, and what better place than in the heart of Los Angeles? The Rams had plenty of superstars to lead the team to a thrilling season. However, noise in the background hit a boiling point, and it eventually erupted.
The Rams won their first six games of the 1968 season by limiting their opponents to 14 points or less. No game displayed the Rams’ strengths more than when they hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 22. The Rams’ defense stalemated the Steelers’ running game by allowing only 56 rushing yards. Quarterback Roman Gabriel racked up 262 passing yards and four touchdowns. HB Dick Bass caught two of the four touchdown passes and also ran for a score. The Rams beat the Steelers, 45-10.
The Rams lost only three games in 1968, but were beaten twice by the Baltimore Colts. The team traveled to Baltimore and was greeted by a stingy Colts’ defense. The Colts limited the Rams to only 116 yards passing and 70 yards rushing. The Rams weren’t able to score their first touchdown until the fourth quarter. Gabriel threw a one-yard touchdown pass to HB Bernie Casey in the team’s 27-10 loss.
The Rams’ offense returned to form when both teams met in Los Angeles with Roman Gabriel leading the way. He threw for 197 yards and had a 19-yard touchdown pass to WR Jack Snow. However, it was RB Willie Ellison who kept the game close for the Rams when he rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns. In the end, early mistakes proved to be costly for the Rams as they fell short, 28-24 to the Colts.
The most important game of the season fell on Nov. 17 when the Rams traveled to San Francisco to face an average 49ers team. The team turned the ball over three times and committed nine penalties for 86 yards. The game ended in a tie, which was unfortunate because the Rams needed a win to have a chance at winning the division.
The Rams finished second in the NFL Coastal Division with a 10-3-1 record. The Colts finished 13-1, which resulted in the Rams not qualifying for the playoffs. That didn’t sit well with Rams’ owner Dan Reeves.
Reeves began scrutinizing the work of head coach George Allen even more after the Rams tied with 49ers. Allen stated that playing conditions at Kezar Stadium were terrible and were the worst conditions he had seen in his career. Reeves didn’t agree with that assessment and said so publicly.
There weren’t any other reported arguments between the two men, but the tension resulted in Reeves firing Allen on Dec. 26. Reeves later admitted that he was more at fault for the poor relationship.
What Reeves didn’t expect was the protest from the public and the players. Most of the team demanded Reeves to reconsider or they would retire or seek a trade. This prompted Reeves to renegotiate with Allen, who re-signed with the team on a two-year deal.
The Rams had a great season, despite all of the drama. In fact, the team set a 14-game NFL record for fewest total yards allowed (3,118 yards) for the second straight season.
DE Deacon Jones was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year after recording an unofficial 24 sacks. Jones was also named to the Pro Bowl along with QB Roman Gabriel, LT Joe Carollo, LG Tom Mack, RG Joe Scibelli, RT Charlie Cowan, DT Merlin Olsen, LB Maxie Baughan, DB Eddie Meador and K Bruce Gossett. Jones, Olsen and Meador were named to the All-Pro team.
Season Notes
– The Rams didn’t have a first round selection in the 1968 NFL Draft, but they selected UCLA QB Gary Beban in second round (30th overall).
– Jackson State WR Harold Jackson was a key selection of the 1968 draft; he was picked in the 12th round (323rd overall).
– The Rams were third in the league in fewest points allowed (200).
| 1968 | ||||
| Week | Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 1 | Monday, Sept. 16 | @St. Louis Cardinals | W, 24-13 | 1-0 |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 22 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W, 45-10 | 2-0 |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 29 | @Cleveland Browns | W, 24-6 | 3-0 |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct. 6 | San Francisco 49ers | W, 24-10 | 4-0 |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 13 | @Green Bay Packers | W, 16-14 | 5-0 |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 20 | Atlanta Falcons | W, 27-14 | 6-0 |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 27 | @Baltimore Colts | L, 10-27 | 6-1 |
| 8 | Sunday, Nov. 3 | Detroit Lions | W, 10-7 | 7-1 |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 10 | @Atlanta Falcons | W, 17-10 | 8-1 |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 17 | @San Francisco 49ers | T, 20-20 | 8-1-1 |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 24 | New York Giants | W, 24-21 | 9-1-1 |
| 12 | Sunday, Dec. 1 | @Minnesota Vikings | W, 31-3 | 10-1-1 |
| 13 | Sunday, Dec. 8 | Chicago Bears | L, 16-17 | 10-2-1 |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 15 | Baltimore Colts | L, 24-28 | 10-3-1 |
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