Los Angeles Rams | History, Notable Players, & Facts - Britannica

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From “The Fearsome Foursome” to Eric Dickerson

Los Angeles RamsMerlin Olsen (number 74) of the Los Angeles Rams attempting to tackle New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath, 1970s.(more)

In the 1960s the team was defined by a standout defensive line nicknamed “The Fearsome Foursome”: tackles Merlin Olsen and Roosevelt (“Rosie”) Grier and ends Deacon Jones and Lamar Lundy. The Rams also featured pro football’s first “big” quarterback, 6-foot 5-inch (1.9-metre) Roman Gabriel. As dominant as the Foursome was, however, the Rams never advanced any further than the divisional playoff round over the course of the ’60s.

The team made a club-record eight consecutive playoff berths from 1973 to 1980, led by a formidable defensive unit that starred defensive end Jack Youngblood. During this streak, the Rams recorded at least 10 wins in a season on seven occasions, and they reached the NFC championship game five times, winning just once. That victory came following the 1979 regular season, during which the Rams went just 9–7 before embarking on a playoff run that saw the team win two consecutive road games before ultimately losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIV. In the 1980s the team was notable for featuring a rushing attack that was led by offensive lineman Jackie Slater and running back Eric Dickerson. The Rams were largely successful during the decade—failing to qualify for the playoffs just three times in those 10 years—but they failed to return to the Super Bowl.

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