What Is 1988 Los Angeles Rams football team

Overview

The 1988 Los Angeles Rams marked a return to competitiveness in the NFL, finishing with a winning record and securing a playoff berth. Under head coach John Robinson, the team showed marked improvement from previous seasons, relying on a balanced offense and a revitalized defense.

Playing their home games at Anaheim Stadium, the Rams finished second in the NFC West behind the San Francisco 49ers. Despite a solid regular season, their playoff run ended abruptly in the Wild Card round, highlighting both progress and lingering shortcomings.

• Record and standing: The Rams finished the regular season with a 10-6 record, placing second in the NFC West, their best performance since 1985.
• Head coach:John Robinson led the team in his fourth season, emphasizing discipline and defensive improvement after earlier offensive struggles.
• Home stadium: All home games were played at Anaheim Stadium, a multi-purpose venue also used by MLB’s California Angels.
• Quarterback performance:Jim Everett started all 16 games, throwing for 2,652 yards and 17 touchdowns with 14 interceptions.
• Defensive leader: Rookie linebacker Kevin Greene emerged as a key playmaker, recording 10.5 sacks and earning NFL All-Rookie honors.

How It Works

The 1988 Rams' season structure followed the standard NFL format, combining regular-season games, divisional matchups, and a single-elimination playoff system.

• Regular season: The NFL schedule consisted of 16 games per team, with the Rams winning 10 and losing 6 to secure a wild card spot.
• Playoff qualification: As a wild card team, the Rams advanced despite not winning their division, based on their overall win-loss record.
• Divisional alignment: Competing in the NFC West, the Rams faced division rivals like the 49ers, Saints, Falcons, and Cardinals twice each.
• Offensive scheme: The team utilized a pro-style offense centered on Jim Everett’s passing, with running back Eric Dickerson contributing 1,015 rushing yards.
• Defensive strategy: The defense relied on aggressive pass rushing, led by Kevin Greene and linebacker Mike Wilcher, who recorded 8.5 sacks.
• Coaching philosophy: John Robinson emphasized time of possession and defensive discipline, aiming to control games through balanced play.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1988 Rams to division rivals reveals their relative strength and playoff positioning.

The Rams, 49ers, and Saints all finished 10-6, but San Francisco won the division due to tiebreakers. Los Angeles secured a wild card berth, while New Orleans missed out. The Rams scored 332 points, ranking 9th in the NFL, showing offensive efficiency despite inconsistent performances.

Why It Matters

The 1988 season represented a turning point for the Rams franchise, signaling a return to relevance after years of mediocrity. Though they fell short in the playoffs, the foundation was set for future competitiveness.

• The emergence of Kevin Greene marked the beginning of a dominant pass-rushing career that would span 15 NFL seasons.
• Jim Everett’s development gave the Rams a reliable long-term quarterback option after years of instability.
• The team’s 10-6 record was their best since 1985, restoring fan confidence in the franchise.
• Reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1986 demonstrated sustained improvement under John Robinson.
• The season highlighted the importance of tiebreaker rules, as the Saints missed the postseason despite an identical record.
• It laid the groundwork for the Rams’ 1989 season, when they improved to 11-5 and won the NFC West.

Ultimately, the 1988 campaign was a crucial step in rebuilding the Rams’ identity in Los Angeles, blending emerging talent with consistent coaching to form a competitive team.