The 1981 Los Angeles Rams season was the team's 44th year with the National Football League (NFL) and the 36th season in Los Angeles. The Rams looked to improve on their 11–5 record from 1980. The team failed to improve, finishing with a mediocre 6–10 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1972. This year's Rams squad also suffered the humiliation of being the first to be swept by NFC West rival New Orleans.

For the season, the Rams converted from gray facemasks to blue facemasks.

Offseason

NFL draft

Undrafted free agents

+ 1981 undrafted free agents of note Player Position CollegeJeff KempQuarterbackDartmouth

The Rams were touted as a possible Super Bowl contender prior to this season. However, Vince Ferragamo, who had previously led the Rams to Super Bowl XIV and set a Rams record the previous season with 30 touchdown passes, decided to bolt for the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes. Pat Haden was named the starter, but with most of the offensive weapons that Ferragamo had, notably WR's Preston Dennard and Billy Waddy. Also, the Rams would benefit from the return of running back Wendell Tyler, who had missed most of the previous season with a hip injury from an automobile accident.

Personnel

Staff / Coaches

Roster

Regular season

Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 6 Houston Oilers L 20–27 0–1 Anaheim Stadium 63,198 2 September 13 at New Orleans Saints L 17–23 0–2 Louisiana Superdome 62,063 3 September 20 Green Bay Packers W 35–23 1–2 Anaheim Stadium 61,286 4 at Chicago Bears W 24–7 2–2 Soldier Field 62,461 5 October 4 Cleveland Browns W 27–16 3–2 Anaheim Stadium 63,924 6 October 11 at Atlanta Falcons W 37–35 4–2 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 57,841 7 October 18 at Dallas Cowboys L 17–29 4–3 Texas Stadium 64,649 8 October 25 at San Francisco 49ers L 17–20 4–4 Candlestick Park 59,190 9 November 1 Detroit Lions W 20–13 5–4 Anaheim Stadium 61,814 10 November 8 New Orleans Saints L 13–21 5–5 Anaheim Stadium 61,068 11 November 15 at Cincinnati Bengals L 10–24 5–6 Riverfront Stadium 56,836 12 November 22 San Francisco 49ers L 31–33 5–7 Anaheim Stadium 63,456 13 November 29 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 0–24 5–8 Three Rivers Stadium 51,854 14 December 6 at New York Giants L 7–10 5–9 Giants Stadium 59,659 15 Atlanta Falcons W 21–16 6–9 Anaheim Stadium 57,054 16 December 20 Washington Redskins L 7–30 6–10 Anaheim Stadium 52,224 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

See also Other Anaheim–based teams in 1981 1981 California Angels season

References

External links 1981 Los Angeles Rams at Pro-Football-Reference.com 1981 Los Angeles Rams at jt-sw.com