What Is 1989 Los Angeles Rams football team

Overview

The 1989 Los Angeles Rams marked a significant turnaround season under head coach John Robinson, finishing with an 11-5 record and capturing the NFC West title. After several middling seasons, the team re-emerged as a playoff contender thanks to a balanced offense and a resilient defense.

This campaign represented one of the stronger performances by the Rams during their time in Los Angeles before their 1995 relocation to St. Louis. Their success culminated in a playoff berth, though their postseason run ended earlier than hoped.

• Record: The Rams finished the regular season with an 11-5 record, their best since 1979, showcasing significant improvement under veteran leadership.
• Division title: They won the NFC West by one game over the New Orleans Saints, securing home-field advantage in the Wild Card round.
• Head coach:John Robinson, in his sixth season, earned NFL Coach of the Year honors for turning around a struggling franchise.
• Key player: Running back Greg Bell rushed for 1,084 yards, becoming the first Rams back since 1980 to surpass 1,000 in a season.
• Stadium: The team played home games at Anaheim Stadium, drawing an average of over 55,000 fans per game.

Playoff Journey

The Rams’ postseason run began with a hard-fought victory, advancing past the Wild Card round before facing a tough road challenge in the Divisional Round.

• Wild Card Game: On December 31, 1989, the Rams defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 21–7 at home, with quarterback Jim Everett throwing two touchdowns.
• Divisional Round: They traveled to face the New York Giants on January 7, 1990, losing 19–13 in a tightly contested defensive battle.
• Key stat: Los Angeles committed four turnovers in the loss, including two critical interceptions by Everett.
• Defensive effort: Linebacker Mike Wilcher recorded 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks, leading a defense that held the Giants to 19 points.
• Missed opportunity: The Rams failed to convert on 3rd-and-goal in the fourth quarter, a pivotal moment that sealed their fate.
• Coaching accolade: John Robinson was named NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press following the season.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1989 season stood out compared to surrounding years in terms of wins, playoff success, and team performance.

The 1989 season was a peak between two eras of mediocrity. After missing the playoffs in 1988 despite a 10–6 record, the Rams surged in 1989 with a division title. However, the team quickly declined afterward, posting losing records in the following three seasons. This contrast highlights how pivotal 1989 was in the franchise’s late-1980s trajectory.

Why It Matters

The 1989 campaign remains a notable chapter in Rams history, representing both a high point and a missed opportunity for sustained success.

• Resurgence symbol: The season signaled a revival after years of inconsistency, proving the Rams could compete at a high level.
• Coaching legacy: John Robinson’s Coach of the Year honor underscored his impact, though he was fired after the 1991 season.
• Player development: Greg Bell’s breakout season raised hopes, but injuries limited his long-term impact.
• Playoff drought: This was the Rams’ last playoff win until 1999, when they won Super Bowl XXXIV.
• Stadium era: It was one of the last successful seasons at Anaheim Stadium before the team’s move to St. Louis.
• Historical context: The 1989 team is remembered as a bridge between eras, foreshadowing future struggles before the Kurt Warner-led revival.

The 1989 Los Angeles Rams season remains a testament to what the franchise could achieve with strong leadership and timely performances, even if long-term success remained elusive.