After defeating the Minnesota Vikings 34–10 in the divisional round, Los Angeles hosted the NFC Championship game, losing 28–0 at home in a rematch with the Cowboys.
Allen did not have full authority over personnel and thus worked with general manager Don Klosterman to oversee a talented roster that had made the team a perennial playoff challenger.
As newspaper reports were quoting players expressing confidence that differences would be resolved, the Rams played listlessly and lost the first two games of the exhibition schedule, 14–7 to the New England Patriots and 17–0 to the San Diego Chargers.
Defensive coordinator Ray Malavasi, well-respected and liked by players (and the only holdover from Chuck Knox' staff), replaced Allen.
Kicker Frank Corral had two field goals in the game, and running back Cullen Bryant ran 27 times for 100 yards, including a 3-yard run in the third quarter to give the Rams the lead for good, while backup Jim Jodat added another touchdown for the game's final points.
The Cowboys increased their lead to 14-0 as quarterback Roger Staubach threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to running back Scott Laidlaw.