1979 Los Angeles Rams season

Owner Caroll Rosenbloom drowned on April 2, 1979, while swimming in the Atlantic Ocean just off of his home in Golden Beach, Florida, leaving the team to his widow, Georgia.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kPYjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Hu4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3760%2C1676112 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Carroll Rosenbloom drowns in Florida |date=April 3, 1979 |page=21}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0BVWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_eEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6683%2C788363 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=wire reports |title=Rosenbloom remembered fondly by friends and foes |date=April 3, 1979 |page=2B}}

{{main|1979 NFL draft}}

{{NFL team draft start|year=1979|teamname=Los Angeles Rams}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=1|pick=19|player=George Andrews|position=Linebacker|college=Nebraska|notes=|maderoster=yes}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=1|pick=26|player=Kent Hill|position=Guard|college=Georgia Tech|notes=|maderoster=yes|probowl=yes}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=2|pick=54|player=Eddie Hill|position=Running back|college= Memphis State|notes=|maderoster=yes}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=3|pick=58|player=Jeff Moore|position=Wide receiver|college=Tennessee|notes=Made roster in 1980}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=3|pick=81|player=Mike Wellman|position=Center|college=Kansas|notes=}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=4|pick=99|player=Derwin Tucker|position=Defensive back|college=Illinois|notes=}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=4|pick=108|player=Jerry Wilkinson|position=Defensive end|college=Oregon State|maderoster=yes|notes=}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=5|pick=122|player=Victor Hicks|position=Tight end|college=Oklahoma|notes=Made roster in 1980}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=7|pick=190|player= Jeff Delaney|position=Defensive back|college=Pittsburgh|notes=Made roster in 1980}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=9|pick=246|player=Jeff Rutledge|position=Quarterback|college=Alabama|notes=|maderoster=yes}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=10|pick=273|player=Grady Ebensbeger|position=Defensive tackle|college=Houston|notes=}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=11|pick=301|player=Jesse Deramus|position=Defensive tackle|college=Tennessee State|notes=}}

{{NFL team draft entry|round=12|pick=328|player=Drew Hill|position=Wide receiver|college=Georgia Tech|notes=|maderoster=yes|probowl=yes}}

{{NFL team draft end|hof=yes}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/1979_draft.htm|title=1979 Los Angeles Rams Draftees|publisher=Pro Football Reference|access-date=February 13, 2022}}

{{NFL final roster

|year=1979

|team=Los Angeles Rams

|active=53

|inactive=4

|

|Quarterbacks=

{{NFLplayer|15|Vince Ferragamo}}

{{NFLplayer|19|Bob Lee|d=quarterback}}

{{NFLplayer| 8|Jeff Rutledge|rookie=y}}

|Running Backs=

{{NFLplayer|32|Cullen Bryant}}

{{NFLplayer|24|Eddie Hill|d=American football|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|43|Jim Jodat}}

{{NFLplayer|30|Lawrence McCutcheon}}

{{NFLplayer|26|Wendell Tyler}}

|Wide Receivers=

{{NFLplayer|88|Preston Dennard}}

{{NFLplayer|87|Drew Hill|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|84|Ron Smith|d=wide receiver}}

{{NFLplayer|80|Billy Waddy}}

|Tight Ends=

{{NFLplayer|83|Terry Nelson|d=American football}}

{{NFLplayer|86|Charle Young}}

|Offensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|62|Bill Bain|d=American football|G}}

{{NFLplayer|77|Doug France|T}}

{{NFLplayer|73|Gordon Gravelle|T}}

{{NFLplayer|60|Dennis Harrah|G}}

{{NFLplayer|72|Kent Hill|rookie=y|G}}

{{NFLplayer|54|Dan Ryczek|G/C}}

{{NFLplayer|61|Rich Saul|C}}

{{NFLplayer|78|Jackie Slater|T}}

|Defensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|90|Larry Brooks|d=American football|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|71|Reggie Doss|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|89|Fred Dryer|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|79|Mike Fanning|d=American football|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|70|Jerry Wilkinson|rookie=y|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|85|Jack Youngblood|DE}}

|Linebackers=

{{NFLplayer|52|George Andrews|d=American football|rookie=y|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|59|Bob Brudzinski|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|51|Joe Harris|d=American football|MLB}}

• {{player|64}} Jack Reynolds MLB

{{NFLplayer|57|Greg Westbrooks|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|53|Jim Youngblood|OLB}}

|Defensive Backs=

{{NFLplayer|25|Eddie Brown|d=safety|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|21|Nolan Cromwell|FS/CB}}

{{NFLplayer|28|Ken Ellis|d=American football|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|42|Dave Elmendorf|SS}}

{{NFLplayer|33|Dwayne O'Steen|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|49|Rod Perry|d=American football|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|37|Ivory Sully|rookie=y|CB/S}}

{{NFLplayer|27|Pat Thomas|d=defensive back|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|20|Jackie Wallace|SS}}

|Special Teams=

{{NFLplayer|13|Ken Clark|d=punter|rookie=y|P}}

{{NFLplayer| 3|Frank Corral|K}}

|Reserve Lists=

{{NFLplayer|22|John Cappelletti|RB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|41|Jeff Delaney|rookie=y|S|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|66|Bill Dunstan|DT|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|55|Carl Ekern|LB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|11|Pat Haden|QB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|92|Victor Hicks|rookie=y|TE|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|81|Ron Jessie|WR|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|76|Cody Jones|DT|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|29|Sid Justin|rookie=y|CB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|82|Willie Miller|d=American football|WR|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|46|Jeff Moore|rookie=y|link=no|WR|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|34|Elvis Peacock|RB|IR}}

• {{player|48}} Bill Simpson S (Ret.) 7px

{{NFLplayer|56|Doug Smith|d=offensive lineman|G|IR}}

• {{player|63}} Leon White G (IR) 7px

{{NFLplayer|75|John Williams|d=offensive lineman, born 1945|T|IR}}

|Practice Squad=

}}

Notes:

{{refbegin}}

:{{note label|time|a|a}} All times are PACIFIC time. (UTC–7 and UTC–8 starting October 28)

{{refend}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Raiders

|V1=0 |V2=10 |V3=14 |V4=0

|Host=Rams

|H1=7 |H2=10 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=September 2

|Location=Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Rams jumped out to an early 14–0 lead, but a failure to protect the punter led to two blocks and 10 Raider points before halftime. Raiders also intercepted three second-half passes and turned two into Ken Stabler to Raymond Chester touchdown passes.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979090210 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1= 6|V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=7

|Host=Broncos

|H1= 2|H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=7

|Date=September 6

|Location=Mile High Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=Gordon McCarter

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

This game feature a rare safety scored when Rams tackle John Williams held Bronco LB Larry Evans in the end zone in the 1st. Rams appeared on verge of going 0–2 until, late in the 4th, safety Dave Elmendorf laid a hit on QB Craig Morton and LB Jack Reynolds picked up the fumble and bulled into the end zone for the winning score.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979090601 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=49ers

|V1=10 |V2=0 |V3= 0|V4=14

|Host=Rams

|H1=0 |H2=14 |H3=7 |H4=6

|Date=September 16

|Location=Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee= Red Cashion

|TVAnnouncers= Vin Scully and George Allen

|TVStation= CBS

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

After spotting the 49ers 10 points, the Rams scored 24 unanswered, Pat Haden passing for two touchdowns and Cullen Bryant rushing for 106 yards and another to secure the win.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1= 6|V2=0 |V3= 0|V4=0

|Host=Buccaneers

|H1= 0|H2=21 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=September 23

|Location=Tampa Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=Vin Scully and George Allen

|TVStation=CBS

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Jim Youngblood put the Rams on the board early with an interception return touchdown, but from then on it was all Buccaneers as Doug Williams tossed 2 touchdowns in the second quarter and the vaunted Bucs defense shut down the Rams.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979092306 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Cardinals

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Rams

|H1=7 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=7

|Date=September 30

|Location=Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Rams bounced back with a shutout. Wendell Tyler started for more speed in the Rams' backfield and scored a touchdown.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979093010 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1=0 |V2=28 |V3= 0|V4=7

|Host=Saints

|H1= 7|H2=0 |H3=3 |H4=7

|Date=October 7

|Location=Louisiana Superdome

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=Indoors (dome)

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Haden threw for 3 touchdowns in the blowout, but WR Ron Jessie would be lost for the remainder of the season, along with fellow WR Willie Miller

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979100706 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1= 0|V2=6 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Cowboys

|H1= 6|H2=7 |H3=17 |H4=0

|Date=October 14

|Location=Texas Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee= Fred Wyant

|TVAnnouncers= Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, and Fran Tarkenton

|TVStation= ABC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

In a dominating performance by the Cowboys, Roger Staubach passed for 3 touchdowns and Tony Dorsett ran for 103 and another.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979101406 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Chargers

|V1= 7|V2= 7|V3= 17|V4=9

|Host=Rams

|H1= 7|H2= 0|H3=0 |H4=9

|Date=October 21

|Location=Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=Gordon McCarter

|TVAnnouncers= Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen

|TVStation= NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Chargers, normally known for a high-powered offense, forced eight turnovers, including 4 INT's and 4 fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown). They also had five sacks and numerous hits on QB Haden. Dan Fouts passed for 326 yards and two touchdowns.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979102112 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Giants

|V1= 3|V2=7 |V3=3 |V4=7

|Host=Rams

|H1= 0|H2=0 |H3=7 |H4=7

|Date=October 28

|Location=Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee= Fred Silva

|TVAnnouncers=Vin Scully, George Allen

|TVStation=CBS

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Haden passed for 282 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw 4 more INT's and had trouble making big plays. Giants rookie QB Phil Simms made plenty both running and passing.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979102801 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1=14 |V2=7 |V3=3 |V4=0

|Host=Seahawks

|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=November 4

|Location=Kingdome

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=Indoors (dome)

|Referee= Pat Haggerty

|TVAnnouncers= Vin Scully and George Allen

|TVStation= CBS

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Rams defense turned in a record-setting performance, holding the Seahawks to minus-7 yards of total offense and one first down. Haden threw two touchdowns on 21-of-24 passing and set a team record with 13 straight completions, but fractured his right pinky finger in the Kingdome's AstroTurf and would be lost for the rest of the season.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979110405 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1=9 |V2=7 |V3= 7|V4=0

|Host=Bears

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=7 |H4=13

|Date=November 11

|Location=Soldier Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee= Dick Jorgensen

|TVAnnouncers= Vin Scully and George Allen

|TVStation= CBS

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

With both Haden and backup Vince Ferragamo out, the Rams turned to Jeff Rutledge. Rutledge played it close to the vest, threw for a touchdown, and led the Rams to a 23–14 lead after 3, but the defense couldn't hold off a comeback.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979111104 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Falcons

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=7 |V4=7

|Host=Rams

|H1=7 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=6

|Date=November 19

|Location=Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=ABC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Ferragamo made his first start of the season in this Monday night game and immediately showed his "big-play" capability, completing long touchdown passes to young speedsters Preston Dennard and Billy Waddy.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979111901 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1=3 |V2=10 |V3=13 |V4=0

|Host=49ers

|H1=7 |H2=10 |H3=0 |H4=3

|Date=November 25

|Location=Candlestick Park

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee= Cal Lepore

|TVAnnouncers= Lindsey Nelson and Paul Hornung

|TVStation= CBS

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

An unexpected tough game against the 1–11 49ers that featured many big plays, including an 80-yard blocked field goal return touchdown by Ram CB Sid Justin and a 71-yd. touchdown pass from Ferragamo to Tyler.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979112504 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Vikings

|V1=7 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=7 |VOT=0

|Host=Rams

|H1=7 |H2=7 |H3=7 |H4=0 |HOT=6

|Date=December 2

|Location=Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee= Ben Dreith

|TVAnnouncers=Curt Gowdy and Hank Stram

|TVStation= CBS

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Rams lined up for a potential game-winning field goal in overtime, but holder Nolan Cromwell scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to lift the Rams into first place in the NFC West. The Rams took sole possession of the division lead the next night when the Raiders rallied from a 35–14 deficit in New Orleans to defeat the Saints 42–35.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979120209 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1=0 |V2=28 |V3=3 |V4=3

|Host=Falcons

|H1=0 |H2=6 |H3=0 |H4=7

|Date=December 9

|Location=Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee= Bob Frederic

|TVAnnouncers= Vin Scully and George Allen

|TVStation= CBS

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

In this impressive road game, the Rams clinched their seventh straight NFC West division title. Ferragamo was entrenched as the Rams' quarterback by this time, and would go on to an impressive postseason.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979120906 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Saints

|V1= 0|V2= 14|V3= 6|V4=9

|Host=Rams

|H1= 7|H2= 0|H3=0 |H4=7

|Date=December 16

|Location=Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee= Pat Haggerty

|TVAnnouncers=Vin Scully, George Allen

|TVStation=CBS

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Tyler rushed for 141 yards and a first-quarter touchdown, but New Orleans scored the next 27 points to win going away in the Rams' final home game at the Coliseum before their relocation to Anaheim Stadium. The victory allowed the Saints to finish 8–8, the franchise's first non-losing record after 12 consecutive losing seasons. This would mark the final game the Los Angeles Rams would play at home with the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as their permanent venue. The Rams would subsequently play more games between 2016 and 2019 with their relocation back to Los Angeles, playing their first home playoff game at the venue since 1978 in 2017.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1979121606 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

{{1979 NFC West standings}}

{{main|1979–80 NFL playoffs}}

Notes:

{{refbegin}}

:{{note label|time|a|a}} All times are PACIFIC time.

{{refend}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Los Angeles Rams|year=1979|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=NFC Divisional Playoffs: Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys

|date=December 30, 1979

|time=1:00 p.m. PST

|road=Rams

|R1=0 |R2=14 |R3=0 |R4=7

|home=Cowboys

|H1=2 |H2=3 |H3=7 |H4=7

|stadium=Texas Stadium • Irving, Texas

|attendance=64,792

|weather=43 degrees, relative humidity 71%, wind 12 mph

|referee=Jerry Markbreit

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Vin Scully (play-by-play) and George Allen (color commentator)

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197912300dal.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|stats=

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-4}}

;Vegas Odds

• Vegas Line=LA +8.5 (Won)

;Rams

;Cowboys

;Game Length

• Time of Game:

{{Col-end}}

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=LA|HomeName=DAL|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=

| Team=Cowboys

| DrivePlays=—

| DriveLength=—

| DriveTime=—

| Type=SafetyOther

| Info=−2-yard loss, Ferragamo tackled in end zone by White for a safety

| Visitor=0

| Home=2

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Tyler

| QB=Ferragamo

| yards=32

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Corral

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=7

| Home=2

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=

| Team=Cowboys

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=33

| Kicker=Septién

| Visitor=7

| Home=5

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Smith

| QB=Ferragamo

| yards=43

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Corral

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=14

| Home=5

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=Cowboys

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Springs

| yards=1

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Septién

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=14

| Home=12

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=Cowboys

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Saldy

| QB=Staubach

| yards=2

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Septién

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=14

| Home=19

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Waddy

| QB=Ferragamo

| yards=50

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Corral

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=21

| Home=19

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=21|Home=19}}

Quarterback Vince Ferragamo led the Rams to a victory by throwing for 3 touchdown passes, the last one with 2:06 left in the game. The Cowboys scored first when defensive tackle Randy White sacked Ferragamo in the end zone for a safety. However, Ferragamo responded by throwing a 32-yard touchdown pass to running back Wendell Tyler. Dallas kicker Rafael Septién kicked a 33-yard field goal with 52 seconds left in the first half, but Ferragamo completed a 43-yard touchdown pass to Ron Smith before time expired to make it a 14–5 halftime lead. The Cowboys, led by quarterback Roger Staubach in what proved to be his last NFL game of his Hall of Fame career, then scored 2 unanswered touchdowns in the second half to take the lead, 19–14. With about 2 minutes left in the game and the Rams at midfield, Ferragamo found wide receiver Billy Waddy on a short crossing route and Waddy sprinted the rest of the way for a game winning 50-yard touchdown. Staubach was unable to engineer a late fourth quarter comeback like the ones that made him famous throughout his career. The Rams defense pressured the Dallas quarterback to throw a pass illegally to an ineligible receiver, guard Herbert Scott, on third down, the last pass of his career to be caught; on fourth down, he overthrew Drew Pearson.

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1=0 |V2=6 |V3=0 |V4=3

|Host=Buccaneers

|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=January 6

|Location=Tampa Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=Pat Haggerty

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

In a defensive battle in which the Rams squandered numerous scoring opportunities, Rams kicker Frank Corral kicked 3 field goals to win the game. Los Angeles was able to record 369 yards of total offense, while running backs Cullen Bryant and Wendell Tyler rushed for 106 and 86 yards, respectively. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers only had 177 total offensive yards, including 92 rushing yards and 85 passing yards. Most of Tampa Bay's passing yards came from a 42-yard halfback option pass from Jerry Eckwood to wide receiver Larry Mucker in the fourth quarter. During the game, two touchdowns were nullified by penalties, one by each team: A four-yard run by Bryant and a 27-yard reception by Buccaneers' tight end Jimmie Giles.

{{Clear}}

{{main|Super Bowl XIV}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1=7 |V2=6 |V3=6 |V4=0

|Host=Steelers

|H1=3 |H2=7 |H3=7 |H4=14

|Date=January 20

|Location=Rose Bowl

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=103,985

|Weather=

|Referee=Fred Silva

|TVAnnouncers=Pat Summerall, and Tom Brookshier

|TVStation=CBS

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

Though listed as a 10.5-point underdog, the NFC champion Rams were the designated visitors against the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers. After giving up an early field goal, Los Angeles took its first lead when Wendell Tyler's 39-yard run to the Pittsburgh 14 led to a 1-yard touchdown run by fullback Cullen Bryant for a 7-3 advantage. The Steelers responded with a Franco Harris touchdown run from a yard out. Two field goals by kicker Frank Corral put the Rams on top 13-10 at halftime. Pittsburgh went back on top early in the third quarter with wide receiver Lynn Swann catching a 47-yard TD pass from quarterback Terry Bradshaw. But the Rams responded quickly, driving down to the Pittsburgh 24. Taking a pitchout, running back Lawrence McCutcheon pulled up and threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Ron Smith for a 19-17 lead, but Corral missed his PAT attempt. L.A.'s defense kept the Rams in the game, holding the Steelers to just 84 rushing yards while the secondary picked off Bradshaw three times. But the Steelers QB rallied back and his 73-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver John Stallworth gave Pittsburgh the lead for good early in the fourth quarter. The Rams' last chance for victory came late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Vince Ferragamo, who threw for 212 yards in the game, led L.A. to the Pittsburgh 32 but linebacker Jack Lambert intercepted Ferragamo's pass intended for Smith. The Steelers then finished the scoring as Harris scored his second 1-yard TD of the game for the game's final margin. The Rams were the first team to play in the Super Bowl in their home market.

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Los Angeles Rams}}

{{Los Angeles Rams seasons}}

{{1979 NFL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1979 Los Angeles Rams Season}}

Los Angeles Rams

Category:Los Angeles Rams seasons

Category:NFC West championship seasons

Category:National Football Conference championship seasons

Los Angeles Rams