The 1953 Los Angeles Rams had a very strong season, finishing near the top of the NFL, but once again falling short of making it to the NFL Championship.
Here’s a breakdown of their season and key highlights:
Team Overview (1953 Los Angeles Rams):
- Record: 9-3
- Finish: 2nd in the Western Division
- Head Coach: Joe Stydahar (fourth season as head coach)
Once again, the Rams had a successful season in terms of record, but despite finishing with a solid 9-3 mark, they were unable to surpass the Detroit Lions, who won the Western Division that year with a 10-2 record. As a result, the Rams missed out on the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Key Players:
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Norm Van Brocklin (Quarterback):
- Van Brocklin remained the starting quarterback and continued to be the team’s leader on offense. He had another strong year, demonstrating his passing ability and ability to manage the offense effectively.
- He was one of the top quarterbacks in the league at the time.
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Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch (Wide Receiver):
- Hirsch was again a major part of the Rams’ aerial attack, and he played one of the best seasons of his career. His dynamic abilities as a receiver made him a constant threat on the field.
- His speed and agility were unmatched, and he contributed a lot to the Rams’ passing game.
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Tom Fears (Wide Receiver):
- Fears continued to be an important target in the Rams’ passing game. His connection with Van Brocklin provided the team with a solid aerial threat.
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Les Richter (Linebacker/Fullback):
- Richter, a versatile player who could contribute both on offense and defense, continued to be one of the most consistent and effective players for the Rams.
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Dick “Night Train” Lane (Cornerback):
- Lane, one of the best defensive players of the era, was a key part of the Rams’ defense. His playmaking ability in the secondary added a much-needed element to the team’s defense.
Season Summary:
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The 1953 Rams had one of the best records in the league, finishing 9-3, but they were again thwarted by the Detroit Lions, who had a slightly better record and took the Western Division crown.
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Offensive Performance: The Rams’ offense remained potent, led by Van Brocklin’s passing and the big-play ability of receivers like Hirsch and Fears. They had several high-scoring games, but the offense could be inconsistent at times, especially in key divisional matchups.
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Defensive Performance: The defense was solid, with standout performances from players like Dick Lane in the secondary. However, they weren’t as dominant as some of the best defenses in the league, which hurt them in certain crucial moments.
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Notable Games: The Rams had impressive wins but lost crucial matchups, especially to the Detroit Lions. These losses prevented them from taking the division and advancing to the playoffs.
Missed Playoffs:
- With their 9-3 record, the Rams had a great season, but it wasn’t enough to earn them a spot in the playoffs. The NFL playoff system at the time allowed only the top two teams from each division to advance to the postseason. Because the Lions finished with a 10-2 record, they won the division and advanced to the NFL Championship, while the Rams were left out.
Aftermath:
- The 1953 season marked another near-miss for the Rams, as they continued to be competitive but couldn’t quite get over the hump to win the division.
- Despite not making the playoffs, the Rams remained one of the strongest teams in the NFL, and several of their star players like Van Brocklin, Hirsch, and Lane would continue to be integral parts of the team in the years to come.
While the 1953 season was another year of frustration for the Rams in terms of playoff success, the team was still highly respected and had a strong core that would eventually lead them to success in future seasons.
Head Coach: Hamp Pool
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