You're right, it was disappointing but the "they held their own" was very true. They were 12 point underdogs.

You're also right that the 1980 team was WAY better. One of the 5 best teams in the league. You could argue that (while Oakland won the Super Bowl) the top 4 teams in the league in 1980 were Dallas, Atlanta, Philly and the Rams. Rams got their butts handed to them in the season opener at home vs. Detroit but then went 11-4 the rest of the way (including two OT losses). I remember the MNF games vs. the Saints and Cowboys so well...