Week 5: '73 Rams shut the door on '71 Dallas

This game was sure to provide some drama, as these 2 teams face each other for the 2nd time in 3 weeks. Dallas took the first game in Week 3, and the Rams were looking for some revenge. A key note: Lawrence McCutcheon was injured for the game – so the Rams appeared to be in a pickle.


Dallas took the opening drive for 8 plays eating up 5 minutes – but fell short and punted. The Rams took their opening drive 50 yards down the field on 14 plays for 8 minutes – that ended on a 1-yard TD run by Baker. But, Ray missed the Xtra Point – and the Rams led 6-0 with 2:02 left in the 1st Quarter. Dallas and LA then traded punts, as both teams were plagued by penalties. Dallas even missed a 32-yard FG, giving the ball back to the Rams with 3:59 left in the 2nd Quarter – who then drove 80 yards on 9 plays that ended with a 13-yard Hadl TD strike to Klein with just 28 seconds left in the half. The Rams went into the locker room with a 13-0 lead – and getting the ball back to start the Second Half.

The Rams took the opening kick and drove 71-yards on 10 plays for a quick FG – and increased their lead to 16-0. Overall, the Rams held the ball for 36 minutes and ran 61 total plays, compared to 24 minutes for Dallas who ran 38 plays. The Rams also had 18 First Downs compared to just 7 for Dallas. Dallas was now getting desperate; so after a Rams punt had Dallas pinned at their own 1, Staubach let loose a 41-yard bomb to Bob Hayes. Things seemed to change for Dallas on that one play, as they drove 83 yards on 9 plays…set up for the short 23-yard FG…and…it was BLOCKED by the Rams Defense to begin the 4th Quarter. The Rams then took the Blocked FG 62 yards on 10 plays for a short 19-yard FG of their own – to increase the Rams lead to 19-0 with 6:38 left to play. Both teams then traded punts again to end the game.
Final score: LA Rams 19 – Dallas Cowboys 0

The Game MVP was John Hadl – for his 15/19 performance that netted 210 yards and a 130 rating. 94 of those yards went to Mr. Jackson on 4 catches – including one pass for 42 yards. The rushing duties were equally split between the 4 backs, which ran for a respectable 134 yards. It would seem that the Rams Offense did not miss McCutcheon all that much in this game.
-contributed by George Bseraini-