Excitement was in the air at the beginning of the 1976 season for the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach Chuck Knox and the Rams owned the NFC West and were at the cusp of greatness. This season was built around an experienced team with plenty of talent. However, injuries and subpar quarterback play tore apart the Rams’ Super Bowl hopes.
The team entered the season with a quarterback competition brewing between Ron Jaworski, James Harris and rookie Pat Haden. Jaworski struggled as the opening day starter, throwing for only 90 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the Atlanta Falcons. Fortunately, running backs Lawrence McCutcheon and John Cappelletti combined for 217 yards to save the day for the Rams, as the team earned the 30-14 victory.
Knox was forced to start Haden the following week because Jaworski and Harris were out due to injury. As expected, the young quarterback was less than stellar in his debut against the vaunted Minnesota Vikings defense. Haden passed for 136 yards and two interceptions in a 10-10 tie.
Harris returned in Week 3and remained the starter until he suffered a shoulder injury two games later against the archrival San Francisco 49ers. Harris faced pressure throughout the entire game, and the 49ers sacked him 10 times as the Rams were shutout 16-0 in Los Angeles.
The Rams’ quarterback issues didn’t slow them down. In fact, the team thrived behind a strong defense and running game. The Rams made their statement later on December 4 against the Falcons. Harris and Haden combined for a total of 344 passing yards and one touchdown, McCutcheon rushed for 121 and three touchdowns in the Rams’ 59-0 shutout victory.
Los Angeles finished the season with another NFC West title and 10-3-1 record. They moved on to face the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round. Once again, the Rams’ passing game disappeared against an opponent as Haden threw for only 152 yards and three interceptions. However, the Los Angeles defense registered three sacks and forced four turnovers to keep the Rams in the game. In the end, McCutcheon ran it in from one yard out with 1:59 remaining to give the Rams a 14-12 win.
Los Angeles advanced to the NFC Championship game to face a familiar opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, and once again, they weren’t up to the task. The Vikings defense stifled the Rams offense throughout the game in a 24-13 victory.
The Pro Bowl roster featured a total of eight Rams, including McCutcheon, WR Ron Jessie, C Rich Saul, DE Jack Youngblood, DT Larry Brooks, DT Merlin Olsen, LB Isiah Robertson and DB Monte Jackson. Youngblood, Robertson and Jackson were named to All-Pro selection.
Season Notes
– Merlin Olsen was selected to a league record 14th Pro Bowl.
– The Rams selected Colorado State University LB Kevin McLain in the first round (26th overall) of the 1976 NFL Draft.
– The most notable players the Rams drafted were Texas A&M DB Pat Thomas (39th overall), Jackson State University T Jackie Slater (86th overall) and San Jose State University LB Carl Ekern (128th overall).
– DB Monte Jackson led the league in interceptions with 10 and in interceptions for touchdowns with three.
| 1976 Los Angeles Rams |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 12 | @Atlanta Falcons | W, 30-14 | 1-0 |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 19 | @Minnesota Vikings | T, 10-10 | 1-0-1 |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 26 | New York Giants | W, 24-10 | 2-0-1 |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct. 3 | @Miami Dolphins | W, 31-28 | 3-0-1 |
| 5 | Monday, Oct. 11 | San Francisco 49ers | L, 0-16 | 3-1-1 |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 17 | Chicago Bears | W, 20-12 | 4-1-1 |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 24 | @New Orleans Saints | W, 16-10 | 5-1-1 |
| 8 | Sunday, Oct. 31 | Seattle Seahawks | W, 45-6 | 6-1-1 |
| 9 | Monday, Nov. 8 | @Cincinnati Bengals | L, 12-20 | 6-2-1 |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 14 | St. Louis Cardinals | L, 28-30 | 6-3-1 |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 21 | @San Francisco 49ers | W, 23-3 | 7-3-1 |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 28 | New Orleans Saints | W, 33-14 | 8-3-1 |
| 13 | Saturday, Dec. 4 | Atlanta Falcons | W, 59-0 | 9-3-1 |
| 14 | Saturday, Dec. 11 | @Detroit Lions | W, 20-17 | 10-3-1 |
| NFL Playoffs | ||||
| Div. Playoff | Sunday, Dec. 19 | @Dallas Cowboys | W, 14-12 | 11-3-1 |
| NFC Champ. | Sunday, Dec. 26 | @Minnesota Vikings | L, 13-24 | 11-4-1 |
Photo Compliments by (fs64sports)
You can follow Johnny Gomez on Twitter @Johnny5not6. Be sure to follow Rams Talk on Twitter @TalkRams.
Sources: Profootballreference.com, Stlouisrams.com
