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1972 Los Angeles Rams season

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1972 Los Angeles Rams season
OwnerCarroll Rosenbloom
Head coachTommy Prothro
Home fieldLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record6–7–1
Division place3rd NFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1972 Los Angeles Rams season was the team's 35th year with the National Football League and the 27th season in Los Angeles. The Rams looked to improve on their 8–5–1 record from 1971 and make the playoffs for the first time since 1969. After a win against the New Orleans Saints at home, the Rams tied the Chicago Bears, 13–13, their third straight season with a tie. This was followed by an embarrassing loss to the Atlanta Falcons, 31–3. However, the Rams would then pick up their winning ways, beating the San Francisco 49ers 31–7 at home, the Philadelphia Eagles 34–3 in Philly, and the Cincinnati Bengals 15–12 at home. However, following this three-game winning streak, the Rams struggled, losing several close games, including an embarrassing 19-16 setback to the woeful New Orleans Saints, as they lost five of their last six to end the season 6–7–1. This was the last time the Rams missed the playoffs until 1981, as they started a dynasty the next season that won the NFC West seven consecutive times, from 19731979. They also finished in second place in 1980.

After two seasons as head coach of the Rams, Tommy Prothro was dismissed in late January 1973 and succeeded by Chuck Knox, previously the offensive line coach of the Detroit Lions.[1][2]

Offseason

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On July 13, 1972, Robert Irsay and Willard Keland bought the Los Angeles Rams from the estate of Dan Reeves and transferred ownership to Carroll Rosenbloom, in exchange for ownership of the Baltimore Colts.[3][4][5]

NFL Draft

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Round Pick Player Position School/Club Team

Roster

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1972 Los Angeles Rams roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams


Rookies in italics

Regular season

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Schedule

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 17 New Orleans Saints W 34–14 1–0 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 66,303
2 September 24 at Chicago Bears T 13–13 1–0–1 Soldier Field 55,701
3 October 1 at Atlanta Falcons L 3–31 1–1–1 Atlanta Stadium 57,122
4 October 8 San Francisco 49ers W 31–7 2–1–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 77,382
5 October 15 at Philadelphia Eagles W 34–3 3–1–1 Veterans Stadium 65,720
6 October 22 Cincinnati Bengals W 15–12 4–1–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 73,385
7 October 29 at Oakland Raiders L 45–17 4–2–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 54,660
8 November 5 Atlanta Falcons W 20–7 5–2–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 75,018
9 November 12 Denver Broncos L 10–16 5–3–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 65,398
10 November 19 Minnesota Vikings L 41–45 5–4–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 77,982
11 November 26 at New Orleans Saints L 16–19 5–5–1 Tulane Stadium 64,325
12 December 4 at San Francisco 49ers W 26–16 6–5–1 Candlestick Park 61,214
13 December 10 at St. Louis Cardinals L 14–24 6–6–1 Busch Memorial Stadium 36,873
14 December 17 Detroit Lions L 17–34 6–7–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 71,761
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

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NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
San Francisco 49ers 8 5 1 .607 3–2–1 6–4–1 353 249 W2
Atlanta Falcons 7 7 0 .500 3–3 5–5 269 274 L2
Los Angeles Rams 6 7 1 .464 4–2 5–5–1 291 286 L2
New Orleans Saints 2 11 1 .179 1–4–1 2–8–1 215 361 L3

References

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  1. ^ "Rams axe Prothro, hire Lions aide". Milwaukee Sentinel. wire services. January 25, 1973. p. 1, part 2.
  2. ^ "Prothro is fired, Knox Rams coach". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). UPI. January 25, 1973. p. 12.
  3. ^ "Colts owner trades club for Rams". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. July 14, 1972. p. 1, part 2.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Colts' owner now sole owner of Rams". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). UPI. July 14, 1972. p. 12.
  5. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p.283