Sunday December 5, 1971
. . . where the 1970s live forever!

All NFL game summaries for 12/05/1971:



Rookie cornerback Tom Hayes picked up a fumble and raced 60 yards for a touchdown -- his third of the season, having scored twice on blocked punts -- as the Falcons moved to within one-game of the NFC West lead. Bob Berry hit 12 passes for 220 yards and a TD to Art Malone, who also scored on a one-yard run.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

TeamRush Yds/GmPass Yds/GmTot Yds/GmTurnovers
OFFENSE152.8  (6)157.4  (11)310.2  (6)27
DEFENSE124.8  (11)160.6  (16)285.5  (14)32
OFFENSE133.8  (11)155.5  (12)289.4  (14)26
DEFENSE145.9  (18)114.9  (1)260.8  (7)31

Line: Even

Team1234F
Oakland Raiders (7-3-2)3010013
Atlanta Falcons (6-5-1)7100724

( 0- 7) ATL Tom Hayes 60 yard fumble return (Bill Bell kick)
( 3- 7) OAK George Blanda 27 yard field goal
( 3-14) ATL Art Malone 15 yard pass from Bob Berry (Bill Bell kick)
( 3-17) ATL Bill Bell 41 yard field goal
( 6-17) OAK George Blanda 12 yard field goal
(13-17) OAK Fred Biletnikoff 31 yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick)
(13-24) ATL Art Malone 1 yard rush (Bill Bell kick)
                     OAK             ATL
First Downs:         20              17
Rushes-yards:        42-208          38-113
Yards/rush:          5.0             3.0
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     12-31-130-2     12-18-220-1
Sacked-yards:        1-10            1-6
Net pass yards:      120             214
Net yards/pass:      3.8             11.3
Total net yards:     328             327
Total plays:         74 (56% run)    57 (66% run)  
Yards/play:          4.4             5.7
Fumbles-lost:        4-3             4-4
Turnovers:           5               5
Penalties-yards:     2-9             5-45

Attendance: 58,850

Passing:
OAK: Daryle Lamonica, 12 of 31 for 130 yards and 1 TD (2 int) ATL: Bob Berry, 12 of 18 for 220 yards and 1 TD (1 int)
Rushing:
OAK: Marv Hubbard, 26 for 143 yards; Clarence Davis, 7 for 13 yards; Pete Banaszak, 6 for 40 yards; Don Highsmith, 2 for 6 yards; Raymond Chester, 1 for 6 yards ATL: Cannonball Butler, 14 for 27 yards; Art Malone, 12 for 52 yards and 1 TD; Harmon Wages, 7 for 23 yards; Willie Belton, 3 for 11 yards; Bob Berry, 1 for 0 yards; Jim Mitchell, 1 for 0 yards
Receiving:
OAK: Fred Biletnikoff, 6 for 86 yards and 1 TD; Raymond Chester, 2 for 20 yards; Pete Banaszak, 1 for 14 yards; Don Highsmith, 1 for 11 yards; Marv Hubbard, 1 for 1 yard; Clarence Davis, 1 for -2 yards ATL: Ken Burrow, 4 for 96 yards; Art Malone, 2 for 40 yards and 1 TD; Jim Mitchell, 2 for 40 yards; Harmon Wages, 2 for 11 yards; Wes Chesson, 1 for 24 yards; Sonny Campbell, 1 for 9 yards
Kick returns:
OAK: Clarence Davis, 3 for 79 yards; Paul Seiler, 1 for 0 yards ATL: Willie Belton, 4 for 111 yards
Punt returns:
OAK: George Atkinson, 1 for 2 yards; Tommy Maxwell, 1 for 0 yards ATL: Willie Belton, 1 for 1 yard
Interceptions:
OAK: Phil Villapiano, 1 for 11 yards ATL: Greg Brezina, 1 for 7 yards; Ron Acks, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
OAK: Jerry DePoyster, 4 for 145 yards ATL: Billy Lothridge, 4 for 148 yards
Field Goals:
OAK: George Blanda, 2/2 ATL: Bill Bell, 1/1


Baltimore equaled its club record of three shutouts in a season with a second-half surge which downed Buffalo. DE Billy Newsome made his second interception in as many games and this one was good for a 19-yard TD return. John Unitas threw his first TD pass of the season, to Ray Perkins.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

TeamRush Yds/GmPass Yds/GmTot Yds/GmTurnovers
OFFENSE97.6  (24)138.0  (21)235.6  (23)36
DEFENSE189.7  (26)153.1  (13)342.8  (26)19
OFFENSE160.5  (4)138.6  (20)299.1  (8)32
DEFENSE77.3  (1)120.9  (3)198.2  (1)31

Line: Colts by 17

Team1234F
Buffalo Bills (1-11-0)00000
Baltimore Colts (9-3-0)00141024

( 0- 7) BAL Norm Bulaich 1 yard rush (Jim O'Brien kick)
( 0-14) BAL Ray Perkins 5 yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Jim O'Brien kick)
( 0-17) BAL Jim O'Brien 13 yard field goal
( 0-24) BAL Billy Newsome 19 yard interception return (Jim O'Brien kick)
                     BUF             BAL
First Downs:         8               16
Rushes-yards:        21-76           43-180
Yards/rush:          3.6             4.2
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     16-34-120-4     11-21-134-1
Sacked-yards:        2-14            1-4
Net pass yards:      106             130
Net yards/pass:      2.9             5.9
Total net yards:     182             310
Total plays:         57 (36% run)    65 (66% run)  
Yards/play:          3.2             4.8
Fumbles-lost:        2-2             2-1
Turnovers:           6               2
Penalties-yards:     7-70            5-75

Attendance: 58,476

Passing:
BUF: Dennis Shaw, 14 of 29 for 101 yards (4 int); James Harris, 2 of 3 for 19 yards; O.J. Simpson, 0 of 1 for 0 yards; Marlin Briscoe, 0 of 1 for 0 yards BAL: Johnny Unitas, 11 of 21 for 134 yards and 1 TD (1 int)
Rushing:
BUF: O.J. Simpson, 9 for 26 yards; Wayne Patrick, 6 for 19 yards; Jim Braxton, 4 for 12 yards; Dennis Shaw, 2 for 19 yards BAL: Tom Matte, 14 for 57 yards; Norm Bulaich, 13 for 43 yards and 1 TD; Don Nottingham, 5 for 47 yards; Don McCauley, 5 for 22 yards; Charlie Pittman, 2 for 3 yards; Eddie Hinton, 1 for 11 yards; John Mackey, 1 for 1 yard; Johnny Unitas, 1 for 0 yards; Tom Mitchell, 1 for -4 yards
Receiving:
BUF: O.J. Simpson, 5 for 26 yards; Marlin Briscoe, 4 for 35 yards; J.D. Hill, 2 for 18 yards; Wayne Patrick, 2 for 17 yards; Ted Koy, 1 for 22 yards; Greg Jones, 1 for 6 yards; Jim Braxton, 1 for -4 yards BAL: Norm Bulaich, 4 for 26 yards; Eddie Hinton, 3 for 62 yards; Ray Perkins, 2 for 14 yards and 1 TD; John Mackey, 1 for 28 yards; Tom Mitchell, 1 for 4 yards
Kick returns:
BUF: Alvin Wyatt, 3 for 52 yards; Ike Hill, 1 for 10 yards; O.J. Simpson, 1 for 7 yards
Punt returns:
BUF: Alvin Wyatt, 3 for 29 yards; Ike Hill, 2 for 9 yards BAL: Rick Volk, 4 for 33 yards; Jerry Logan, 1 for 12 yards
Interceptions:
BUF: Paul Guidry, 1 for 13 yards BAL: Charlie Stukes, 1 for 21 yards; Billy Newsome, 1 for 19 yards and 1 TD; Rick Volk, 1 for 3 yards; Jerry Logan, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
BUF: Spike Jones, 7 for 294 yards BAL: David Lee, 6 for 266 yards
Field Goals:
BUF: John Leypoldt, 0/2 BAL: Jim O'Brien, 1/4


Cleveland became the first team in the NFL to clinch a 1971 divisional title by wrapping up the AFC's Central competition in a see-saw battle with Cincinnati. Leroy Kelly's second TD, with 1:48 remaining, clinched the issue. A 53-yard pass-and-run from Bill Nelsen to Frank Pitts and an 80-yard fourth quarter drive that consumed five minutes were key factors in the Browns' late victory. Kelly carried 23 times for 127 yards.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

TeamRush Yds/GmPass Yds/GmTot Yds/GmTurnovers
OFFENSE149.6  (9)148.5  (17)298.1  (9)16
DEFENSE114.5  (7)144.9  (8)259.5  (6)31
OFFENSE106.8  (23)160.8  (9)267.6  (18)33
DEFENSE156.3  (23)141.6  (6)297.9  (16)31

Line: Browns by 3

Team1234F
Cincinnati Bengals (4-8-0)10100727
Cleveland Browns (7-5-0)7771031

( 0- 7) CLE Leroy Kelly 1 yard rush (Don Cockroft kick)
( 3- 7) CIN Horst Muhlmann 46 yard field goal
(10- 7) CIN Doug Dressler 4 yard rush (Horst Muhlmann kick)
(17- 7) CIN Fred Willis 9 yard rush (Horst Muhlmann kick)
(20- 7) CIN Horst Muhlmann 24 yard field goal
(20-14) CLE Fair Hooker 39 yard pass from Bill Nelsen (Don Cockroft kick)
(20-21) CLE Frank Pitts 53 yard pass from Bill Nelsen (Don Cockroft kick)
(27-21) CIN Essex Johnson 86 yard rush (Horst Muhlmann kick)
(27-24) CLE Don Cockroft 12 yard field goal
(27-31) CLE Leroy Kelly 4 yard rush (Don Cockroft kick)
                     CIN             CLE
First Downs:         15              22
Rushes-yards:        34-232          38-182
Yards/rush:          6.8             4.8
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     13-23-118-1     14-28-224-2
Sacked-yards:        1-4             0-0
Net pass yards:      114             224
Net yards/pass:      4.8             8.0
Total net yards:     346             406
Total plays:         58 (58% run)    66 (57% run)  
Yards/play:          6.0             6.2
Fumbles-lost:        2-1             1-1
Turnovers:           2               3
Penalties-yards:     6-47            4-20

Attendance: 82,705

Passing:
CIN: Virgil Carter, 13 of 23 for 118 yards (1 int) CLE: Bill Nelsen, 14 of 28 for 224 yards and 2 TDs (2 int)
Rushing:
CIN: Fred Willis, 17 for 79 yards and 1 TD; Doug Dressler, 12 for 39 yards and 1 TD; Essex Johnson, 4 for 109 yards and 1 TD; Virgil Carter, 1 for 5 yards CLE: Leroy Kelly, 23 for 127 yards and 2 TDs; Bo Scott, 12 for 61 yards; Bill Nelsen, 3 for -6 yards
Receiving:
CIN: Doug Dressler, 6 for 26 yards; Bob Trumpy, 3 for 43 yards; Chip Myers, 3 for 26 yards; Essex Johnson, 1 for 23 yards CLE: Frank Pitts, 5 for 103 yards and 1 TD; Fair Hooker, 5 for 80 yards and 1 TD; Milt Morin, 3 for 35 yards; Bo Scott, 1 for 6 yards
Kick returns:
CIN: Paul Robinson, 3 for 71 yards; Fred Willis, 3 for 49 yards CLE: Ken Brown, 2 for 50 yards; Stan Brown, 1 for 24 yards
Punt returns:
CIN: Speedy Thomas, 2 for 2 yards; Lemar Parrish, 1 for 16 yards CLE: Leroy Kelly, 2 for 10 yards
Interceptions:
CIN: Al Beauchamp, 2 for 12 yards CLE: Ernie Kellermann, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
CIN: Dave Lewis, 5 for 229 yards CLE: Don Cockroft, 5 for 211 yards
Field Goals:
CIN: Horst Muhlmann, 2/3 CLE: Don Cockroft, 1/1


The Broncos defense got to the Bears passer nine times but their offense could only generate a pair of field goals by Jim Turner. Floyd Little, with his fourth 100-plus rushing game of the season, took over the AFC rushing leadership pushing toward his first 1,000 yard season.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

TeamRush Yds/GmPass Yds/GmTot Yds/GmTurnovers
OFFENSE108.7  (22)137.9  (22)246.6  (21)35
DEFENSE155.8  (21)176.2  (23)332.0  (25)36
OFFENSE145.5  (10)148.8  (16)294.4  (11)31
DEFENSE132.5  (15)135.1  (4)267.6  (9)31

Line: Even

Team1234F
Chicago Bears (6-6-0)03003
Denver Broncos (4-7-1)03036

( 0- 3) DEN Jim Turner 37 yard field goal
( 3- 3) CHI Mac Percival 34 yard field goal
( 3- 6) DEN Jim Turner 33 yard field goal
                     CHI             DEN
First Downs:         9               10
Rushes-yards:        19-73           42-170
Yards/rush:          3.8             4.0
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     7-31-63-3       8-16-81-2
Sacked-yards:        9-70            3-27
Net pass yards:      -7              54
Net yards/pass:      -0.2            2.8
Total net yards:     66              224
Total plays:         59 (32% run)    61 (68% run)  
Yards/play:          1.1             3.7
Fumbles-lost:        3-1             3-2
Turnovers:           4               4
Penalties-yards:     12-100          7-100

Attendance: 51,200

Passing:
CHI: Bobby Douglass, 6 of 25 for 50 yards (2 int); Kent Nix, 1 of 6 for 13 yards (1 int) DEN: Steve Ramsey, 8 of 16 for 81 yards (2 int)
Rushing:
CHI: Bill Tucker, 8 for 11 yards; Cyril Pinder, 5 for 9 yards; Bobby Douglass, 4 for 45 yards; Joe Moore, 2 for 8 yards DEN: Floyd Little, 29 for 125 yards; Bobby Anderson, 4 for 8 yards; Fran Lynch, 3 for 8 yards; Clem Turner, 2 for 5 yards; Steve Ramsey, 2 for 0 yards; John Mosier, 1 for 29 yards; Billy Masters, 1 for -5 yards
Receiving:
CHI: Bill Tucker, 3 for 16 yards; Dick Gordon, 2 for 25 yards; George Farmer, 2 for 22 yards DEN: Jack Gehrke, 2 for 29 yards; Bobby Anderson, 2 for 2 yards; Gordon Bowdell, 1 for 19 yards; Jerry Simmons, 1 for 13 yards; Billy Masters, 1 for 13 yards; John Mosier, 1 for 5 yards
Kick returns:
CHI: Cecil Turner, 2 for 54 yards
Punt returns:
CHI: Ron Smith, 4 for 60 yards; Cecil Turner, 1 for -3 yards DEN: Bill Thompson, 2 for 16 yards; Charlie Greer, 1 for -2 yards
Interceptions:
CHI: Charlie Ford, 2 for 29 yards DEN: Fred Forsberg, 1 for 29 yards; Olen Underwood, 1 for 5 yards; Charlie Greer, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
CHI: Bobby Joe Green, 7 for 325 yards DEN: Billy Van Heusen, 6 for 214 yards
Field Goals:
CHI: Mac Percival, 1/4 DEN: Jim Turner, 2/4


After seeing a 16-0 lead erased as Detroit moved ahead 20-16 with 1:53 remaining, Philadelphia moved 79 yards in 49 seconds to score the winning touchdown on a five yard pass from Pete Liske to Kent Kramer. Tom Dempsey set a Philadelphia club record by kicking a 52-yard field goal, and Bill Bradley's tenth interception also set a club mark.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

TeamRush Yds/GmPass Yds/GmTot Yds/GmTurnovers
OFFENSE76.5  (25)149.4  (14)225.8  (25)33
DEFENSE151.0  (20)178.2  (24)329.2  (24)38
OFFENSE182.7  (2)151.9  (13)334.6  (5)25
DEFENSE128.5  (14)145.1  (10)273.5  (11)29

Line: Lions by 14

Team1234F
Philadelphia Eagles (4-7-1)790723
Detroit Lions (7-4-1)00101020

( 7- 0) PHI Lee Bouggess 1 yard rush (Tom Dempsey kick)
(10- 0) PHI Tom Dempsey 22 yard field goal
(13- 0) PHI Tom Dempsey 25 yard field goal
(16- 0) PHI Tom Dempsey 52 yard field goal
(16- 7) DET Greg Landry 2 yard rush (Errol Mann kick)
(16-10) DET Errol Mann 31 yard field goal
(16-13) DET Errol Mann 32 yard field goal
(16-20) DET Greg Landry 5 yard rush (Errol Mann kick)
(23-20) PHI Kent Kramer 5 yard pass from Pete Liske (Tom Dempsey kick)
                     PHI             DET
First Downs:         20              20
Rushes-yards:        38-145          30-125
Yards/rush:          3.8             4.2
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     15-23-214-0     15-27-235-1
Sacked-yards:        0-0             2-10
Net pass yards:      214             225
Net yards/pass:      9.3             7.8
Total net yards:     359             350
Total plays:         61 (62% run)    59 (50% run)  
Yards/play:          5.9             5.9
Fumbles-lost:        1-1             1-1
Turnovers:           1               2
Penalties-yards:     3-29            2-30

Attendance: 54,418

Passing:
PHI: Pete Liske, 15 of 23 for 214 yards and 1 TD DET: Greg Landry, 14 of 23 for 230 yards (1 int); Bill Munson, 1 of 4 for 5 yards
Rushing:
PHI: Lee Bouggess, 17 for 61 yards and 1 TD; Ronnie Bull, 10 for 42 yards; Tom Woodeshick, 7 for 29 yards; Pete Liske, 3 for 5 yards; Harold Jackson, 1 for 8 yards DET: Steve Owens, 13 for 41 yards; Altie Taylor, 10 for 42 yards; Greg Landry, 7 for 42 yards and 2 TDs
Receiving:
PHI: Ben Hawkins, 5 for 92 yards; Harold Jackson, 3 for 65 yards; Lee Bouggess, 3 for 24 yards; Kent Kramer, 2 for 21 yards and 1 TD; Ronnie Bull, 1 for 7 yards; Fred Hill, 1 for 5 yards DET: Steve Owens, 5 for 41 yards; Altie Taylor, 4 for 56 yards; Earl McCullouch, 2 for 69 yards; Charlie Sanders, 2 for 29 yards; Larry Walton, 1 for 35 yards; Ron Jessie, 1 for 5 yards
Kick returns:
PHI: Billy Walik, 4 for 91 yards; Richard Harris, 1 for 7 yards DET: Lem Barney, 6 for 170 yards
Punt returns:
DET: Larry Walton, 1 for 25 yards
Interceptions:
PHI: Bill Bradley, 1 for 51 yards
Punting:
PHI: Tom McNeill, 2 for 84 yards DET: Herman Weaver, 1 for 51 yards
Field Goals:
PHI: Tom Dempsey, 3/3 DET: Errol Mann, 2/3


The Oilers capitalized on Steeler mistakes for a victory in which Woody Campbell and Robert Holmes each carried for TDs and Mark Moseley kicked three FGs. DT Lee Brooks intercepted to set up one TD and John Charles stole a pair of passes from Terry Bradshaw to set the stage for two FGs.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

TeamRush Yds/GmPass Yds/GmTot Yds/GmTurnovers
OFFENSE124.7  (16)161.4  (8)286.1  (16)31
DEFENSE101.8  (4)206.2  (26)308.0  (19)30
OFFENSE66.5  (26)171.4  (6)237.9  (22)45
DEFENSE134.3  (16)150.8  (12)285.1  (13)27

Line: Steelers by 6

Team1234F
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7-0)03003
Houston Oilers (2-9-1)1660729

( 0- 7) HOU Alvin Reed 27 yard pass from Dan Pastorini (Mark Moseley kick)
( 0-10) HOU Mark Moseley 25 yard field goal
( 0-16) HOU Woody Campbell 8 yard rush (kick failed)
( 0-19) HOU Mark Moseley 37 yard field goal
( 0-22) HOU Mark Moseley 25 yard field goal
( 3-22) PIT Roy Gerela 15 yard field goal
( 3-29) HOU Robert Holmes 4 yard rush (Mark Moseley kick)
                     PIT             HOU
First Downs:         10              15
Rushes-yards:        20-73           41-147
Yards/rush:          3.6             3.6
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     14-33-111-3     13-23-148-0
Sacked-yards:        5-52            2-20
Net pass yards:      59              128
Net yards/pass:      1.6             5.1
Total net yards:     132             275
Total plays:         58 (34% run)    66 (62% run)  
Yards/play:          2.3             4.2
Fumbles-lost:        1-0             2-0
Turnovers:           3               0
Penalties-yards:     6-70            5-40

Attendance: 37,778

Passing:
PIT: Terry Bradshaw, 14 of 31 for 111 yards (3 int); Terry Hanratty, 0 of 2 for 0 yards HOU: Dan Pastorini, 12 of 22 for 126 yards and 1 TD; Lynn Dickey, 1 of 1 for 22 yards
Rushing:
PIT: Warren Bankston, 6 for 36 yards; Frenchy Fuqua, 6 for 19 yards; Preston Pearson, 5 for 20 yards; Terry Bradshaw, 2 for 8 yards; Dave Smith, 1 for -10 yards HOU: Woody Campbell, 14 for 46 yards and 1 TD; Robert Holmes, 13 for 43 yards and 1 TD; Dickie Post, 5 for 21 yards; Mike Richardson, 4 for 10 yards; Dan Pastorini, 3 for 16 yards; Ward Walsh, 2 for 11 yards
Receiving:
PIT: Frenchy Fuqua, 5 for 39 yards; Dave Smith, 4 for 25 yards; Ron Shanklin, 2 for 6 yards; Preston Pearson, 1 for 20 yards; Frank Lewis, 1 for 15 yards; Bob Adams, 1 for 6 yards HOU: Robert Holmes, 5 for 63 yards; Ken Burrough, 3 for 24 yards; Jim Beirne, 3 for 23 yards; Alvin Reed, 1 for 27 yards and 1 TD; Dickie Post, 1 for 11 yards
Kick returns:
PIT: Preston Pearson, 2 for 50 yards; Jon Staggers, 2 for 50 yards HOU: Linzy Cole, 1 for 29 yards
Punt returns:
PIT: Jon Staggers, 3 for 21 yards HOU: Ken Houston, 5 for 26 yards; Linzy Cole, 1 for 8 yards
Interceptions:
HOU: John Charles, 2 for 37 yards; Lee Brooks, 1 for 14 yards
Punting:
PIT: Bobby Walden, 8 for 343 yards HOU: Dan Pastorini, 4 for 153 yards
Field Goals:
PIT: Roy Gerela, 1/1 HOU: Mark Moseley, 3/5


Los Angeles running back Willie Ellison set an NFL record for rushing by gaining 247 yards on 26 attempts to erase the former mark of 243 set by Cookie Gilchrist on December 8, 1963. Ellison's total included an 80-yard touchdown run on the third play of the game. The Rams' Travis Williams tied the NFL career record for TDs on kickoff returns, 6, as he dashed 105 yards for a score.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

TeamRush Yds/GmPass Yds/GmTot Yds/GmTurnovers
OFFENSE121.0  (17)140.6  (19)261.6  (19)20
DEFENSE156.2  (22)154.2  (14)310.4  (21)36
OFFENSE150.3  (8)145.8  (18)296.1  (10)24
DEFENSE121.5  (10)162.5  (18)284.0  (12)25

Line: Rams by 11

Team1234F
New Orleans Saints (4-6-2)7014728
Los Angeles Rams (7-4-1)211401045

( 0- 7) LA  Willie Ellison 80 yard rush (David Ray kick)
( 0-14) LA  Jack Snow 37 yard pass from Roman Gabriel (David Ray kick)
( 7-14) NO  Danny Abramowicz 25 yard pass from Edd Hargett (Charlie Durkee kick)
( 7-21) LA  Travis Williams 105 yard kickoff return (David Ray kick)
( 7-28) LA  Larry Smith 5 yard rush (David Ray kick)
( 7-35) LA  Lance Rentzel 8 yard pass from Roman Gabriel (David Ray kick)
(14-35) NO  Bob Gresham 1 yard rush (Charlie Durkee kick)
(21-35) NO  Edd Hargett 1 yard rush (Charlie Durkee kick)
(21-42) LA  Lance Rentzel 39 yard pass from Roman Gabriel (David Ray kick)
(28-42) NO  Bob Gresham 1 yard rush (Charlie Durkee kick)
(28-45) LA  David Ray 12 yard field goal
                     NO              LA
First Downs:         20              22
Rushes-yards:        23-56           39-293
Yards/rush:          2.4             7.5
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     19-36-213-1     10-18-137-0
Sacked-yards:        1-6             1-9
Net pass yards:      207             128
Net yards/pass:      5.6             6.7
Total net yards:     263             421
Total plays:         60 (38% run)    58 (67% run)  
Yards/play:          4.4             7.3
Fumbles-lost:        0-0             4-1
Turnovers:           1               1
Penalties-yards:     6-67            14-119

Attendance: 73,610

Passing:
NO: Edd Hargett, 19 of 36 for 213 yards and 1 TD (1 int) LA: Roman Gabriel, 10 of 18 for 137 yards and 3 TDs
Rushing:
NO: Bob Gresham, 11 for 9 yards and 2 TDs; Jim Strong, 7 for 33 yards; Virgil Robinson, 4 for 13 yards; Edd Hargett, 1 for 1 yard and 1 TD LA: Willie Ellison, 26 for 247 yards and 1 TD; Larry Smith, 8 for 42 yards and 1 TD; Travis Williams, 3 for 4 yards; Roman Gabriel, 1 for 0 yards; Lance Rentzel, 1 for 0 yards
Receiving:
NO: Danny Abramowicz, 5 for 91 yards and 1 TD; Dave Parks, 5 for 46 yards; Bob Gresham, 3 for 33 yards; Jim Strong, 3 for 32 yards; Virgil Robinson, 2 for 2 yards; Bob Newland, 1 for 9 yards LA: Lance Rentzel, 5 for 65 yards and 2 TDs; Larry Smith, 3 for 28 yards; Jack Snow, 1 for 37 yards and 1 TD; Bob Klein, 1 for 7 yards
Kick returns:
NO: Virgil Robinson, 4 for 74 yards; Jim Strong, 1 for 17 yards; Reynaud Moore, 1 for 11 yards; Dick Absher, 1 for 3 yards LA: Travis Williams, 2 for 120 yards and 1 TD; Roger Williams, 1 for 27 yards; Jack Youngblood, 1 for 14 yards; Rich Saul, 1 for 0 yards
Punt returns:
LA: Lance Rentzel, 4 for 40 yards
Interceptions:
LA: Jim Nettles, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
NO: Julian Fagan, 6 for 201 yards LA: Pat Studstill, 3 for 87 yards
Field Goals:
LA: David Ray, 1/2


The Patriots closed their home season with an upset victory over the pacemaking Dolphins, highlighted by a pair of TD passes from Jim Plunkett to Randy Vataha and a successful goal line stand against what is regarded as the best rushing attack in the AFC's Eastern Division. Mercury Morris returned the opening kickoff for the Dolphins 94 yards for a TD.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

TeamRush Yds/GmPass Yds/GmTot Yds/GmTurnovers
OFFENSE189.1  (1)149.4  (14)338.5  (3)15
DEFENSE121.4  (9)142.7  (7)264.1  (8)28
OFFENSE126.6  (14)123.8  (23)250.5  (20)28
DEFENSE141.3  (17)164.9  (20)306.2  (18)18

Line: Dolphins by 14

Team1234F
Miami Dolphins (9-2-1)733013
New England Patriots (5-7-0)17314034

( 7- 0) MIA Mercury Morris 94 yard kickoff return (Garo Yepremian kick)
( 7- 7) NE  Jim Nance 6 yard rush (Charlie Gogolak kick)
( 7-14) NE  Randy Vataha 26 yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Charlie Gogolak kick)
( 7-17) NE  Charlie Gogolak 37 yard field goal
(10-17) MIA Garo Yepremian 26 yard field goal
(10-20) NE  Charlie Gogolak 35 yard field goal
(13-20) MIA Garo Yepremian 30 yard field goal
(13-27) NE  Randy Vataha 25 yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Charlie Gogolak kick)
(13-34) NE  Larry Carwell 53 yard interception return (Charlie Gogolak kick)
                     MIA             NE
First Downs:         12              14
Rushes-yards:        29-98           33-85
Yards/rush:          3.4             2.6
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     9-22-108-2      16-23-223-0
Sacked-yards:        1-9             0-0
Net pass yards:      99              223
Net yards/pass:      4.3             9.7
Total net yards:     197             308
Total plays:         52 (55% run)    56 (58% run)  
Yards/play:          3.8             5.5
Fumbles-lost:        5-3             2-0
Turnovers:           5               0
Penalties-yards:     3-39            5-37

Attendance: 61,457

Passing:
MIA: Bob Griese, 6 of 12 for 70 yards (1 int); George Mira, 3 of 10 for 38 yards (1 int) NE: Jim Plunkett, 16 of 23 for 223 yards and 2 TDs
Rushing:
MIA: Larry Csonka, 10 for 61 yards; Jim Kiick, 8 for 15 yards; Mercury Morris, 5 for 8 yards; George Mira, 3 for 0 yards; Bob Griese, 2 for 0 yards; Larry Seiple, 1 for 14 yards NE: Carl Garrett, 15 for 57 yards; Jim Nance, 11 for 33 yards and 1 TD; Jim Plunkett, 4 for 1 yard; Bob Gladieux, 1 for 3 yards; Jack Maitland, 1 for -2 yards; Eric Crabtree, 1 for -7 yards
Receiving:
MIA: Howard Twilley, 3 for 39 yards; Paul Warfield, 2 for 46 yards; Karl Noonan, 1 for 12 yards; Jim Kiick, 1 for 9 yards; Mercury Morris, 1 for 8 yards; Larry Csonka, 1 for -6 yards NE: Randy Vataha, 7 for 129 yards and 2 TDs; Jim Nance, 3 for 10 yards; Hubie Bryant, 2 for 31 yards; Eric Crabtree, 2 for 30 yards; Tom Beer, 1 for 21 yards; Carl Garrett, 1 for 2 yards
Kick returns:
MIA: Charlie Leigh, 4 for 99 yards; Hubert Ginn, 2 for 52 yards; Mercury Morris, 1 for 94 yards and 1 TD NE: Carl Garrett, 2 for 30 yards; Hubie Bryant, 1 for 23 yards; Jack Maitland, 1 for 21 yards
Punt returns:
MIA: Jake Scott, 1 for 27 yards
Interceptions:
NE: Larry Carwell, 1 for 53 yards and 1 TD; John Outlaw, 1 for 29 yards
Punting:
MIA: Larry Seiple, 3 for 118 yards NE: Tom Janik, 6 for 195 yards
Field Goals:
MIA: Garo Yepremian, 2/2 NE: Charlie Gogolak, 2/2


The Chargers exploded for 20 points in the final period, directed by QB John Hadl, and wrapped up a victory over the Vikings on a five-yard pass to Mike Garrett and a pair of field goals by Dennis Partee. Linebacker Pete Barnes grabbed a pass from Norm Snead in the last fifteen seconds and returned it for a TD. It was the highest point total registered against Minnesota since 1968.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

TeamRush Yds/GmPass Yds/GmTot Yds/GmTurnovers
OFFENSE120.3  (18)111.7  (25)232.0  (24)20
DEFENSE112.7  (6)118.7  (2)231.5  (2)39
OFFENSE110.2  (21)225.4  (1)335.5  (4)37
DEFENSE168.4  (24)155.1  (15)323.5  (23)19

Line: Vikings by 10

Team1234F
Minnesota Vikings (9-3-0)770014
San Diego Chargers (5-7-0)7302030

( 0- 7) SD  Gary Garrison 5 yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick)
( 7- 7) MIN Oscar Reed 10 yard rush (Fred Cox kick)
( 7-10) SD  Dennis Partee 12 yard field goal
(14-10) MIN Clint Jones 1 yard rush (Fred Cox kick)
(14-17) SD  Mike Garrett 5 yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick)
(14-20) SD  Dennis Partee 43 yard field goal
(14-23) SD  Dennis Partee 22 yard field goal
(14-30) SD  Pete Barnes 36 yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick)
                     MIN             SD
First Downs:         19              21
Rushes-yards:        34-142          32-149
Yards/rush:          4.2             4.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     12-28-173-4     20-29-165-1
Sacked-yards:        0-0             0-0
Net pass yards:      173             165
Net yards/pass:      6.2             5.7
Total net yards:     315             314
Total plays:         62 (54% run)    61 (52% run)  
Yards/play:          5.1             5.1
Fumbles-lost:        1-1             0-0
Turnovers:           5               1
Penalties-yards:     6-67            7-95

Attendance: 54,505

Passing:
MIN: Bob Lee, 8 of 20 for 122 yards (1 int); Norm Snead, 4 of 8 for 51 yards (3 int) SD: John Hadl, 20 of 29 for 165 yards and 2 TDs (1 int)
Rushing:
MIN: Clint Jones, 26 for 96 yards and 1 TD; Oscar Reed, 4 for 33 yards and 1 TD; Bill Brown, 4 for 13 yards SD: Mike Garrett, 16 for 49 yards; Jeff Queen, 14 for 39 yards; Jerry LeVias, 2 for 61 yards
Receiving:
MIN: Bob Grim, 4 for 49 yards; Bill Brown, 3 for 61 yards; Bob Brown, 2 for 31 yards; Gene Washington, 2 for 20 yards; Oscar Reed, 1 for 12 yards SD: Jerry LeVias, 7 for 56 yards; Gary Garrison, 5 for 45 yards and 1 TD; Mike Garrett, 5 for 28 yards and 1 TD; Pettis Norman, 3 for 36 yards
Kick returns:
MIN: Charlie West, 6 for 122 yards; Clint Jones, 1 for 35 yards SD: Jerry LeVias, 2 for 48 yards; Chris Fletcher, 1 for 25 yards
Punt returns:
SD: Chris Fletcher, 2 for 21 yards; Jerry LeVias, 1 for 11 yards
Interceptions:
MIN: Charlie West, 1 for 6 yards SD: Bryant Salter, 2 for 4 yards; Pete Barnes, 1 for 36 yards and 1 TD; Chris Fletcher, 1 for 19 yards
Punting:
MIN: Bob Lee, 3 for 138 yards SD: Dennis Partee, 2 for 89 yards
Field Goals:
MIN: Fred Cox, 0/2 SD: Dennis Partee, 3/5


After the Cardinals consumed only 14 seconds on four running plays in the final minute while trying to protect a 16-13 lead, Green Bay took over on its own 45 with no timeouts remaining, and completed two passes to the St. Louis 20 yard line. Rookie Tim Webster then kicked the tying field goal from the 27 as time ran out.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

TeamRush Yds/GmPass Yds/GmTot Yds/GmTurnovers
OFFENSE160.5  (3)115.7  (24)276.3  (17)37
DEFENSE128.3  (13)163.6  (19)291.9  (15)27
OFFENSE113.6  (19)178.0  (5)291.6  (12)37
DEFENSE126.5  (12)173.7  (22)300.3  (17)25

Line: Cardinals by 5

Team1234F
Green Bay Packers (3-7-2)0331016
St. Louis Cardinals (4-7-1)090716

( 0- 3) STL Jim Bakken 42 yard field goal
( 0- 6) STL Jim Bakken 21 yard field goal
( 0- 9) STL Jim Bakken 12 yard field goal
( 3- 9) GB  Tim Webster 28 yard field goal
( 6- 9) GB  Tim Webster 12 yard field goal
(13- 9) GB  Dave Hampton 2 yard rush (Tim Webster kick)
(13-16) STL Mel Gray 57 yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick)
(16-16) GB  Tim Webster 27 yard field goal
                     GB              STL
First Downs:         19              12
Rushes-yards:        35-211          32-80
Yards/rush:          6.0             2.5
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     15-28-160-2     11-24-236-0
Sacked-yards:        1-14            1-11
Net pass yards:      146             225
Net yards/pass:      5.0             9.0
Total net yards:     357             305
Total plays:         64 (54% run)    57 (56% run)  
Yards/play:          5.6             5.4
Fumbles-lost:        1-1             2-1
Turnovers:           3               1
Penalties-yards:     3-25            3-22

Attendance: 50,443

Passing:
GB: Scott Hunter, 13 of 23 for 129 yards; Bart Starr, 2 of 5 for 31 yards (2 int) STL: Jim Hart, 11 of 24 for 236 yards and 1 TD
Rushing:
GB: John Brockington, 19 for 95 yards; Donny Anderson, 9 for 85 yards; Dave Hampton, 7 for 31 yards and 1 TD STL: MacArthur Lane, 19 for 57 yards; Johnny Roland, 9 for 22 yards; Jim Hart, 4 for 1 yard
Receiving:
GB: Donny Anderson, 5 for 55 yards; Carroll Dale, 3 for 43 yards; John Brockington, 3 for 21 yards; Rich McGeorge, 2 for 24 yards; Dave Hampton, 1 for 12 yards; Dave Davis, 1 for 5 yards STL: John Gilliam, 4 for 96 yards; Mel Gray, 3 for 102 yards and 1 TD; Dave Williams, 2 for 31 yards; Johnny Roland, 2 for 7 yards
Kick returns:
GB: Dave Hampton, 4 for 103 yards; Dave Davis, 1 for 22 yards STL: Mel Gray, 2 for 18 yards; Norm Thompson, 1 for 18 yards; George Hoey, 1 for 16 yards
Punt returns:
GB: Ken Ellis, 3 for -9 yards STL: Roger Wehrli, 2 for 19 yards
Interceptions:
STL: Norm Thompson, 1 for 11 yards; Roger Wehrli, 1 for 5 yards
Punting:
GB: Donny Anderson, 3 for 127 yards STL: Jim Bakken, 3 for 126 yards
Field Goals:
GB: Tim Webster, 3/5 STL: Jim Bakken, 3/5


The Redskins intercepted five Giants passes and turned the first three pass steals into a 13-0 lead. Larry Brown rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns. It was his 12th 100-yard performance.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

TeamRush Yds/GmPass Yds/GmTot Yds/GmTurnovers
OFFENSE113.1  (20)186.5  (4)299.6  (7)34
DEFENSE147.5  (19)160.8  (17)308.3  (20)26
OFFENSE127.8  (13)160.8  (9)288.6  (15)27
DEFENSE103.1  (5)144.9  (8)248.0  (3)30

Line: Redskins by 10

Team1234F
New York Giants (4-8-0)00077
Washington Redskins (8-3-1)1373023

( 0- 3) WAS Curt Knight 28 yard field goal
( 0- 6) WAS Curt Knight 25 yard field goal
( 0-13) WAS Larry Brown 17 yard rush (Curt Knight kick)
( 0-20) WAS Larry Brown 2 yard rush (Curt Knight kick)
( 0-23) WAS Curt Knight 44 yard field goal
( 7-23) NYG Otto Brown 0 yard fumble return (Pete Gogolak kick)
                     NYG             WAS
First Downs:         15              9
Rushes-yards:        27-89           36-155
Yards/rush:          3.3             4.3
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     16-33-173-5     4-14-54-1
Sacked-yards:        1-8             3-19
Net pass yards:      165             35
Net yards/pass:      4.9             2.1
Total net yards:     254             190
Total plays:         61 (44% run)    53 (67% run)  
Yards/play:          4.2             3.6
Fumbles-lost:        2-0             2-0
Turnovers:           5               1
Penalties-yards:     3-39            6-67

Attendance: 53,041

Passing:
NYG: Fran Tarkenton, 15 of 31 for 162 yards (4 int); Randy Johnson, 1 of 2 for 11 yards (1 int) WAS: Billy Kilmer, 4 of 14 for 54 yards (1 int)
Rushing:
NYG: Junior Coffey, 9 for 40 yards; Tucker Frederickson, 8 for 20 yards; Bobby Duhon, 6 for 17 yards; Joe Morrison, 3 for 6 yards; Fran Tarkenton, 1 for 6 yards WAS: Larry Brown, 25 for 129 yards and 2 TDs; Charlie Harraway, 7 for 17 yards; Bob Brunet, 2 for 6 yards; Tommy Mason, 1 for 3 yards; Billy Kilmer, 1 for 0 yards
Receiving:
NYG: Bob Tucker, 5 for 69 yards; Joe Morrison, 4 for 50 yards; Don Herrmann, 2 for 24 yards; Rich Houston, 2 for 15 yards; Tucker Frederickson, 2 for 4 yards; Junior Coffey, 1 for 11 yards WAS: Jerry Smith, 1 for 27 yards; Charlie Harraway, 1 for 14 yards; Clifton McNeil, 1 for 13 yards; Larry Brown, 1 for 0 yards
Kick returns:
NYG: Richmond Flowers, 3 for 50 yards; Rocky Thompson, 3 for 32 yards WAS: Speedy Duncan, 2 for 52 yards
Punt returns:
WAS: Ted Vactor, 3 for 19 yards
Interceptions:
NYG: Pete Athas, 1 for 15 yards WAS: Myron Pottios, 1 for 31 yards; Mike Bass, 1 for 25 yards; Brig Owens, 1 for 19 yards; Chris Hanburger, 1 for 17 yards; Ron McDole, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
NYG: Tom Blanchard, 3 for 111 yards WAS: Mike Bragg, 4 for 115 yards
Field Goals:
NYG: Pete Gogolak, 0/2 WAS: Curt Knight, 3/5


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