Running back Eric Dickerson led the Rams to a victory by scoring two touchdowns and recording a playoff record 248 rushing yards….while the Rams defense held the Cowboys to 243 yards and forced six turnovers….and nothing on the scoreboard….as Rams receiver Henry Ellard’s 23-yard punt return and 21-yard reception set up the first score of the game….which was a 33-yard field goal by Mike Lansford at 5:19 into the first quarter….as this ended up being the only score of the first half.
Rams running back Charles White returned the second half kickoff 14 yards to the Rams 45-yard line….which was a squib kick by punter Mike Saxon….who had replaced injured kicker Rafael Septién….then RB Eric Dickerson scored on a 55-yard touchdown run on the next play….giving the Rams a 10-0 lead…..to which on the ensuing kickoff….Cowboys Kenny Duckett fumbled….and the ball was recovered by Vince Newsome on the Dallas 18….which set up Lansford’s second field goal. In the fourth quarter, Dallas managed to reach the Rams 20-yard line….but DE Kevin Greene sacked Cowboys QB Danny White on third down….as Dallas ended up turning the ball over on downs. The Dallas defense subsequently forced a punt….but Gordon Banks muffed the kick and Rams DB Jerry Gray recovered the ball to set up Dickerson’s 40-yard rushing touchdown.
This was Tom Landry’s final postseason game as the Cowboys head coach….as well as the final NFL playoff game at Anaheim Stadium. The Rams would not host another NFL postseason game until 1999….which was the team’s fifth season following their 1995 relocation to St. Louis. Rams defensive end Gary Jeter finished the game with three sacks, while Gray had a fumble recovery and an interception.
