What Is 1989 Los Angeles Rams football

Overview

The 1989 season marked a pivotal year for the Los Angeles Rams, representing both a resurgence in performance and the end of an era under head coach John Robinson. After several inconsistent seasons, the team rebounded with an 11-5 record, the best win total since their 1985 campaign, and secured a playoff berth as the NFC's #4 seed.

Playing their home games at Anaheim Stadium, the Rams relied heavily on a balanced offensive attack and a revitalized defense. Despite strong individual performances and a return to competitiveness, the season concluded in heartbreak with a narrow playoff loss, ultimately leading to major organizational changes.

• Record: The Rams finished the 1989 regular season with an 11-5 record, improving from their 10-6 mark in 1988 and securing second place in the NFC West.
• Playoff Result: They lost 20-17 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card round on January 7, 1990, despite leading late in the fourth quarter.
• Head Coach:John Robinson, who had led the Rams since 1983, was dismissed after the season despite the team’s success, ending an era defined by stability and moderate success.
• Quarterback:Jim Everett passed for 3,260 yards and 16 touchdowns with 14 interceptions, showcasing improved decision-making under center.
• Running Back:Eric Dickerson rushed for 1,386 yards on 312 carries, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and marking his fifth 1,000-yard season in seven years.

Team Performance & Key Players

The 1989 Rams combined a powerful ground game with a developing passing attack, supported by a defense that improved significantly under coordinator Fritz Shurmur. The team ranked in the top half of the league in both points scored and allowed, showing balance across all phases of play.

• Eric Dickerson: Dickerson led the NFL in rushing attempts with 312 carries and ranked third in rushing yards, forming one of the league’s most durable backfields.
• Jim Everett: Everett completed 60.8% of his passes and posted a passer rating of 77.1, benefiting from improved protection and reliable targets like Henry Ellard.
• Henry Ellard: The veteran wide receiver caught 74 passes for 1,253 yards and 4 touchdowns, averaging a career-best 16.9 yards per catch.
• Defensive Turnaround: The Rams defense allowed just 16.8 points per game during the regular season, a significant improvement from 22.6 in 1988.
• Special Teams: Rookie kicker Brett Conway made 22 of 28 field goals, including a long of 52 yards, providing reliable scoring in close games.
• Coaching Change: Despite the winning record, Robinson was fired due to internal friction with management and a perceived lack of playoff success over his tenure.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 1989 Rams season to recent prior years reveals trends in performance, offensive output, and playoff outcomes.

The table illustrates how the 1989 season stood out as a peak before a sharp decline. After 1989, the Rams entered a rebuilding phase, missing the playoffs for the next six seasons. The 1989 campaign remains a high point in the franchise’s late 1980s era, notable for both on-field success and the end of John Robinson’s influential coaching tenure.

Why It Matters

The 1989 season is remembered as a transitional moment for the Rams, combining late-1980s competitiveness with the end of a significant coaching era. It highlighted the volatility of NFL success, where even strong records don’t guarantee long-term stability.

• End of an Era: John Robinson’s firing after an 11-win season signaled a shift in front-office philosophy and player development priorities.
• Eric Dickerson’s Legacy: His performance solidified his status as one of the franchise’s all-time greats before his departure in 1991.
• Missed Opportunity: Losing a playoff game by three points underscored the fine line between progress and postseason advancement.
• Coaching Instability: The Rams cycled through five head coaches between 1990 and 1997, reflecting the fallout from post-1989 decisions.
• Stadium Legacy: The team’s final years in Anaheim Stadium before moving to St. Louis in 1995 began with this era.
• Historical Context: The 1989 season is often cited by fans as a 'what could have been' moment before a prolonged downturn.

Ultimately, the 1989 Los Angeles Rams represent a blend of promise and transition—a team that achieved success on the field but failed to sustain it, marking the end of one chapter and the uncertain beginning of another.