Redskins Vs. Rams History, Anecdotes, and Fan Memories

--Redskins lead regular season series 22-9-1

--Playoff Series tied 2-2 (last meeting 1986)

--Rams have resided in three cities during the existence. The Redskins record vs. Rams by city (includes playoffs)

Cleveland: 5-1

Los Angeles: 12-6

St. Louis: 7-4

--The longest winning streak for the Redskins in the series is 5, accomplishing that twice (1937-1944 and 1977-1986)

--First meeting was in 1937 in Cleveland, a 16-7 Redskins victory

--The teams have met fairly consistent since that first meeting; there have a been a few gaps, but none longer than four seasons.*

--The Redskins road record vs. the Rams is 13-6-1

--The Redskins record at St. Louis since the Rams moved is 5-2

--The Rams have won 3 of the last 5 meetings

--Redskins have struggled to score against the Rams recently... Netting 17 points or less in four straight meetings*

My personal memories:

--It was six years before I was born, but as part of my Redskins DVD collection I have (or at least had) our Monday Night meeting with them from Los Angeles in 1971. Redskins won 38-24 and it is so fun to be able to watch an original broadcast from that era.*

--The playoff game in 1986 stands out for sure. I remember the score without looking... 19-7 Redskins in RFK (back when there was just one wild card game). The lasting image of course is Darrell Green chasing down Eric Dickerson on a dead sprint to the end zone. I believe it was a 60 yard run and Green tracked him down well short of the goal line... Probably more impressive than when Green caught Tony Dorsett because he didn't have as much of an angle on Dickerson. The game was fairly ugly... Jay Schroeder only passed for 90 yards, but we harassed Jim Everett all day. That 1986 team was fantastic.*

--Totally random, but in 1990 there was a restaurant in my city that was the first to get satellite hook ups for NFL games on Sunday. It wasn't smooth and easy like Sunday Ticket, but they generally came through. As a 13 year old out of town fan, I was I awe and begged my parents to take me each week. They did it some in 1990, but by 1991 I flat insisted. I did not miss a game during that magical 1991 season.... Except our win at Los Angeles. It was icy that morning and my Mom refused to drive me. I threw a hissy fit for all time that day . Redskins won 27-6.*

--Amp F'ing Lee. The 1997 Redskins are likely my least favorite team in franchise history. That team angered me more than any other. I was furious so many times that year it was ridiculous. My frustration hit a boiling point on Nov. 30th that year. The Rams entered the game (in DC by the way) at 2-10. We were 6-5-1 and in decent shape for the playoffs with a win. As usual under Norv we struggled with a lousy team from the get go that day. We did manage to fight back and tie the game at 20 late. For those of you who don't know or remember the name Amp Lee, there is a good reason for that. He was a journeyman third down back. Well, that day, he journeyed into my tortured soul.... He caught six passes.......for 128 yards. This included a 45 harder in Hyde final seconds that set up the game winning FG. To this day I still can't believe what happened that afternoon. I came home from the sports bar to my apartment in college and promptly threw my keys like a 95 mph heater into the wall. My roommates were laughing hysterically and I almost punched each one of them in the face. My keys left a "Made in China" mark on the wall... Obviously that game left a mark on my heart.*

--2000 at St. Louis on MNF. Possibly the best win of the Norv era. And this game is my exhibit A of one of the greatest misconceptions in ES history. We did not make a mistake signing Jeff George in 2000; out mistake was not starting him from the outset. Brad Johnson was iffy the second half of 1999, terrible in the playoffs, and then bad throughout 2000. Every time George played, we moved the ball much better. On this night, Johnson was hurt and George lit up the Rams for 3 TD's. Warner did not play that night, but Trent Green was a pretty good fill in. Rams were 8-2 at the time and cruising... Very gratifying win... Season went to hell after that of course.*

--The 2005 game was pretty non descript, I only mention it because I was there. Easy win that day; Rock Cartwright with over 100 yards. First of our five wins to end that season.*

--2008.... I'd rather not talk about it, but you sort of have to. I've been to three Redskins games at FedEx in my lifetime... This was one of them. Never has a season turned one play like it did in 2008. How many fans can say this....

"Our season turned when.... We completed a pass to.... Our left guard.... Who then began running.... Who then fumbled.... Which was picked up by the other team.... And returned for a TD.... On the last play of the half."

Seriously? It was an ugly day and even though we were 4-2 after that loss, you knew we were toast. Thanks Pete!*

I have an odd memory of this series that sticks out to me...2006. Neither team was playing for anything and they played either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It was a fun game to watch and I was excited to see players like Betts and Campbell put up big numbers. We lost in OT on a Jackson TD, but outplayed them that day. I think, in my mind, I was watching our future begin to click. I was wrong obviously, but the experience stuck with me.

The 2008 and 2009 games were rough. In 2008, the way that we gave up that 10-14 point swing right before the half was ridiculous! Then, even after that we had a chance to simply stop them on one last drive and couldn't do it. Avery caught a long pass to set up the game-winning FG. In 2009, just ugly. Hooray we won, but gross. I think we owe them a few more poundings for the 2 games during the Zorn era.

I can't believe nobody is talking about the 1983 divisional playoff where we beat the Rams 51-7. We would beat the Niners 24-21 to go to SB 18 and then lose to the Raiders 38-9.

I can't believe nobody is talking about the 1983 divisional playoff where we beat the Rams 51-7. We would beat the Niners 24-21 to go to SB 18 and then lose to the Raiders 38-9.

Yep. Total domination.

If memory serves, it was Pat Summerall who said, after watching the Skins score yet again to go up 38-7 just before the half, "They say there are no great teams any more in the NFL. Well, I don't know what you'd call this one."

I have an odd memory of this series that sticks out to me...2006. Neither team was playing for anything and they played either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It was a fun game to watch and I was excited to see players like Betts and Campbell put up big numbers. We lost in OT on a Jackson TD, but outplayed them that day. I think, in my mind, I was watching our future begin to click. I was wrong obviously, but the experience stuck with me.

I think we owe them a few more poundings for the 2 games during the Zorn era.

2006, ruined my Christmas eve, I was there. Ladell betts lost that game by fumbling as he was running free for the "nail in the coffin score"... Ughhh we owe them an ass whoppin (don't even get me started about the 2010 game!)

--2000 at St. Louis on MNF. Possibly the best win of the Norv era. And this game is my exhibit A of one of the greatest misconceptions in ES history. We did not make a mistake signing Jeff George in 2000; out mistake was not starting him from the outset. Brad Johnson was iffy the second half of 1999, terrible in the playoffs, and then bad throughout 2000. Every time George played, we moved the ball much better. On this night, Johnson was hurt and George lit up the Rams for 3 TD's. Warner did not play that night, but Trent Green was a pretty good fill in. Rams were 8-2 at the time and cruising... Very gratifying win... Season went to hell after that of course.*[\QUOTE]

Last weeks game reminds me of this one. We were supposed to get smashed by the "greatest show on turf"

My memories/opinions

1983 Regular Season-kind of another ho-hum rout for the 83 Skins. The thing I remember was how Bob Holly was inserted for Joe Theismann maybe midway through the 4th quarter with the Skins up 42-6. Holly proceeds to fumble twice (I think) and the Rams scored two cheap touchdowns having the short field to cosmetically make the score 42-20. Gibbs pulled Holly and put Theismann back in to finish the game.

1983 Playoffs-Best Redskin team I've seen playing at their best against an overwhelmed Rams team. This is always a fun one to dust off and watch again.

1986 Playoffs-I just happened to watch this one again about a week ago. The Rams had their shots early but Eric Dickerson's 3 fumbles and a replay reversal that got the Redskins another fumble really took the Rams out of it. The thing that I remember is how everyone was happy that we had a kicker who actually made extra points after the Max Zendejas debacle.

1987-Don't really remember this one. I know it was a bad loss to a bad Rams team and I know this is the game where Darrell Green "lost" his fastest man in the NFL title when Ron Brown outraced him on a kickoff return.

1991-I remember this was a disjointed game. The Skins were coming off their first loss and looked just as bad in the first half against the Rams. I think they led 7-6 at halftime before taking control in the second half.

1993-All I remember about this one was how I was excited to see our rookie Notre Dame runner (Reggie Brooks) outdual their rookie Notre Dame runner (Jerome Bettis). In the end it was another ugly game played by the 93 Skins where some dude named Rubley beat them late.

1994-Rams last game in LA. Heath Shuler's first win. Tony Zendajas misses chipshot late and Skins hold on to win 24-21.

1995- What I remember about this one is the Skins facing Mark Rypien for the first time. Ryp had an okay game but threw a pick 6 to Tom Carter. The Rams also had another turnover late when their receiver gets smacked over the middle and fumbles backwards and a Skins DE picks it in the air and returns it for a TD.

1996-Nothing of note that I can recall in this game. I think the Skins had a 2 TD lead and then had to hold on for dear life as Steve Walsh started bringing the Rams back.

1997-Bad loss. I went to this game and it was a very frustrating loss to a bad Rams team. The only positive was Gus Frerotte. It's unfortunate that Gus' legacy here is head butting the wall earlier in this season. Because he pulled a "Sundberg":) by leading the Redskins down the field to tie this game late in the 4th on a dislocated hip. I always admired Gus after that even though the next time we would see him in a game that counts was the meltdown in the Meadowlands in the 98 opener where his career as a Skin effectively ended.

2000-Great showcase for the 2000 Skins. Jeff George outduals Trent Green. Bruce Smith has 3 sacks including a safety. Champ Bailey picks a pass deep in the endzone and brings it out. I thought he was going 109 yards but I believe Orlando Pace actually catches him and drives him out at the 50. Deion had a big play were Tory Holt (I think) catches a deep pass and Deion punches the ball out from behind. The last hurrah for the 2000 Skins before the implosion.

2002-I just remember LaVar forcing a fumble on Kurt Warner at the end of the game as the Rams were near our goalline looking to take the lead and we win.

2005-The beginning of 5 in row or we don't go. Rock Cartwright had a long TD run as did CP. The defense had it's way with an unknown rookie from Harvard named Ryan Fitzpatrick.

2006-Ladell freaking Betts. When you absolutely positively need a guy to fumble at the worst time, call on him.

2008-The "uh oh" game. Maybe the Skins were not as good as the "Hip Hip Hurray" run of early Zorn as they appeared to be. Very painful loss. Especially when that Ram lineman got the penalty and made a chipshot field goal be a long one and the kicker still nailed it.

2010-Completely forgotten. I know we lost to rookie Sam Bradford but I've never revisted this game.

2009-First and only time that I can remember fans booing a win. That 9-7 win felt nothing like a win.

2011-Amazing how things could turn on a dime. The Skins enjoyed a nice 17-3 lead and were cruising to a comfortable win only to have a great throw bounce off a receivers hands and get picked off after that the Skins had to hold on in another nailbiter against a bad team.

I remember the 05 game very well. The white on white jerseys and CP playing his ass off. I think the score was 24-9.

the 2010 game hurt because I really thought things were changing after the previous offensive explosion against HOU the week before

Yep. Total domination.

If memory serves, it was Pat Summerall who said, after watching the Skins score yet again to go up 38-7 just before the half, "They say there are no great teams any more in the NFL. Well, I don't know what you'd call this one."

And too bad it ended like it did. We should have reamed the Niners. Mosley missed 4 of 5 FGs. If he hits 3 out of his first 4 (assuming we don't need the game winner), we're up 30-0 on the Niners and there is NO comback. We were up 21-0 going into the 4th. I think we end up winning like 30-14 (You know Montana would get at least 2) and SB 18 against the Raiders might have been a different outcome.

---------- Post added September-13th-2012 at 11:36 AM ----------

Wow, scruffy, you have a great memory. I only remember those games in the 80s and 90s because you brought them up.

This included a 45 harder in Hyde

Sounds like British porn.

Fun read, thanks kleese.

My memories...

* Being a kid and asking my parents if there really were Rams in Los Angeles.

* Thinking "holy ****, how is this happening" in the 1993 game.

* Tony Zendejas of the Kicking Zendejases.

* Seeing Jeff George QB us to victory, and thinking, "what the hell, am I really rooting for the biggest douche in pro sports?"

* Jim "Chris" Everett. Still one of my favorite sports-related clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uczUKTwgqeY

I can't believe nobody is talking about the 1983 divisional playoff where we beat the Rams 51-7. We would beat the Niners 24-21 to go to SB 18 and then lose to the Raiders 38-9.

I thought we were unbeatable after that game....then Marcus Alllen busted off a buck ninety and proved me wrong....

Not really relevant to any game in particular, but just a comment/observation about how "sleepy" that dome is in recent years (much like Detroit's Dome until last season). I checked on one of the Rams message boards earlier today and there is a thread about how they haven't sold out the game yet. Not that we pack it in on the regular, but I think that an atmosphere, as much as anything, can affect how our men play on Sunday. They just need to be ready for all scenarios and ready to go out and play a complete game for four quarters, and come home 2-0 ready to open up FedEx with a bang.

HAIL!

2005- I was living in St. Louis that year and had no plans to go to the game because I'd picked between that game and buying Sunday Ticket back in September and chosen Sunday Ticket. On monday of game week my coworker emails our group because she can't go to the game -- two $65 tickets for half-price. I sat about 4-5 rows up on the 30 yard line in the upper deck with a college friend.

It was the first win in our 5-game streak that led us to the playoffs.

Even though this game didn't go well, I love the ram hunting video. With the Cooleys' plastic weapons and Portis wearing his cleats, it's a classic.

I have an odd memory of this series that sticks out to me...2006. Neither team was playing for anything and they played either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It was a fun game to watch and I was excited to see players like Betts and Campbell put up big numbers. We lost in OT on a Jackson TD, but outplayed them that day. I think, in my mind, I was watching our future begin to click. I was wrong obviously, but the experience stuck with me.

The 2008 and 2009 games were rough. In 2008, the way that we gave up that 10-14 point swing right before the half was ridiculous! Then, even after that we had a chance to simply stop them on one last drive and couldn't do it. Avery caught a long pass to set up the game-winning FG. In 2009, just ugly. Hooray we won, but gross. I think we owe them a few more poundings for the 2 games during the Zorn era.

I think that was the first game of the supposed "Gimme games" that would get us to 7-1, but ultimately got us to 6-2. I think we forced a Steven Jackson fumble inside their 10 yard line or something, and we got a quick TD. It felt like we were going to blow them out, early. That game really pissed me off.

In 2005, the skins were 5-6 and playing the Rams at 1pm PST. I was living in southern CA at the time and that morning, during the Santa Ana Winds, I was driving on Highway 15 (It was CA so THE 15) with wind gusts up to 50mph. All of a sudden I noticed a plywood floating in the air heading towards the highway. Having no idea of where it was going to land or when I kept driving at my 60mph pace, when it SLAMMED into my car right behind the drivers side window. Wood and glass went everywhere as the wood became implanted into my car.

I drove home where my wife (now ex wife) saw me and the car and freaked. I had a bloody ear, glass and wood sticking out of my side of my face and in my head. She wanted me to go to hospital, but kickoff was about to happen....

So I watched the game while spending most of the 1st half picking out glass and wood from my head....(BTW- As we all know - that started the skins 5 in a row march to the playoffs)!

Very first Redskins game I attended at FedEx was vs the Rams in Zorn's first year. My GF took me as a birthday gift. I believe we were 4-1 and I had this circled as a perfect game to go to because, come on, my first game and I get to watch us beat up on the pathetic 0-5 Rams. It was perfect.

Then the game happened. I will always remember that deep pass late that put them in FG position and sunk our hearts.

But I will also always remember that as my first trip and the day I really felt plugged into Redskins nation like never before. It was an unforgettable day in so many ways.

Also, it makes me really believe if we have changed this season we should handle the Rams on Sunday...we have had good starts before only to lose to teams we should beat. We really need to wrap this one up to take that vibe that this could be different to the next level. We need to stop playing down or up to our competition, play our game regardless.

Sounds like British porn.

Fun read, thanks kleese.

Damn autocorrect! Although, British porn references are always good....

---------- Post added September-13th-2012 at 02:51 PM ----------

Not really relevant to any game in particular, but just a comment/observation about how "sleepy" that dome is in recent years (much like Detroit's Dome until last season). I checked on one of the Rams message boards earlier today and there is a thread about how they haven't sold out the game yet. Not that we pack it in on the regular, but I think that an atmosphere, as much as anything, can affect how our men play on Sunday. They just need to be ready for all scenarios and ready to go out and play a complete game for four quarters, and come home 2-0 ready to open up FedEx with a bang.

HAIL!

I was at the 2005 game...quietest NFL venue I've ever been in and it's not close. Almost no homefield advantage there at all, which is weird for a dome.

I had a bloody ear, glass and wood sticking out of my side of my face and in my head. She wanted me to go to hospital, but kickoff was about to happen....

So I watched the game while spending most of the 1st half picking out glass and wood from my head....(BTW- As we all know - that started the skins 5 in a row march to the playoffs)!

So...we just need to chuck plywood at your on game days and we should finish off a perfect season? Seems doable.

I remember being terrified the Rams were gonna drop 50 on us during their Greatest Show on Turf days when we played them in 2000, the one the OP mentioned. We actually won that game though. The last game Norv won as coach, I believe. It was that season in between Super Bowls when the Rams weren't quite right.

I have a large extensive personal dvd collectin with just about every win since 1980. Many Rams wins. Personally, I was at that 1986 playoff game and witnessed Darrell Green run down Eric Dickerson from behind. It was amazing. The whole stadium could see it happen before it happened. The electricity of it was unreal. Dickerson was great. Your first instinct was aw man he is gone, TD Rams. But then you see Green coming, and you think could this happen. And damn if he didn't get his foot before the goal line. It is a legendary play I will never forget.

So...we just need to chuck plywood at your on game days and we should finish off a perfect season? Seems doable.

Don't forget the glass.

These Rams games the last few years have been awful - win or lose, its all been about underachieving. Uggh. I hope we win 28-0.

I'll never forget the 2000 Monday Night Football game. I can never get too angry about the Bruce Smith trade because of that game. He was an absolute force. I remember it was one of the first Monday Night Football games I ever watched. Totally broke my bed time, but it was worth it.