LA Rams history with the NFC Championship Game

1962-1994 Super Bowl Era LA Rams

The more recognizable NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl era began for the NFL in the 1962 season. While the LA Rams boasted excellent eras under the leadership of head coaches like George Allen (1966-1970), ‘Ground’ Chuck Knox (1973-1977), Ray Malavasi (1978-1982), and finally John Robinson (1983-1991), they would struggle in the playoffs.

Lost 1974 NFC Championship (0-1)
The LA Rams (11-5) Lost the NFC Championship that year to the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 14-10. The Rams were led by QB James Harris, who threw for 248 yards and one touchdown. But two interceptions hurt the Rams’ chances, and the one-two punch of the Vikings ground game of Chuck Foreman and David Osborn was too much for the Rams’ defense.

Lost 1975 NFC Championship (0-2)
The LA Rams (13-3) were back in the hunt the following year, this time they squared off against the Dallas Cowboys (12-4). The game was all about the passing of Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, and his knack for finding WR Preston Pearson for three TDs on the day. The Rams lost by a score of 37-7.

Lost 1976 NFC Championship (0-3)
The LA Rams (11-4-1) would be back for the third time in 1976, but the third time was most certainly not a charm. This time, the opponent would be a familiar opponent, the Minnesota Vikings (13-2-1). Once more, it would be the Rams rushing attack of Chuck Knox versus the out-of-the-box assault from Vikings’ head coach Bud Grant. This game was defined by the 94-yard blocked field goal attempt that was returned for a touchdown.

That shocking score, a 10-point play, had the Rams in shock until the game was out of hand by a score of 17-0. The Rams would score twice to bring the game closer. But the Vikings won by a score of 24-13.

Ultimately, Chuck Knox could arguably be the very best NFL head coach to never win a Super Bowl. He would go on to coach for the Buffalo Bills and the Seattle Seahawks.