NFL game summary for 10/22/1972:
The Lions rolled up a 34-6 lead and coasted to the victory which regained them a share of first place in the NFC Central Division. Mel Farr, making his first start in two years in place of injured Steve Owens, rushed for 96 yards and scored two touchdowns. Tight end Charlie Sanders, recovered from a shoulder separation, caught three passes for 50 yards.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 154.2 (8) | 148.4 (14) | 302.6 (12) | 18 |
| DEFENSE | 120.0 (9) | 148.8 (13) | 268.8 (12) | 13 | |
 | OFFENSE | 160.8 (6) | 131.2 (19) | 292.0 (15) | 11 |
| DEFENSE | 163.8 (23) | 116.4 (5) | 280.2 (16) | 8 |
Line: Lions by 5
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Chargers (2-3-1) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 20 |
| Detroit Lions (4-2-0) | 6 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
( 0- 3) DET Errol Mann 25 yard field goal
( 6- 3) SD Cid Edwards 1 yard rush (kick failed)
( 6- 6) DET Errol Mann 41 yard field goal
( 6-13) DET Mel Farr 1 yard rush (Errol Mann kick)
( 6-20) DET Mel Farr 2 yard rush (Errol Mann kick)
( 6-27) DET Larry Walton 24 yard pass from Greg Landry (Errol Mann kick)
( 6-34) DET Greg Landry 5 yard rush (Errol Mann kick)
(13-34) SD Gary Garrison 15 yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick)
(20-34) SD Gary Garrison 5 yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick)
SD DET
First Downs: 17 24
Rushes-yards: 21-82 44-182
Yards/rush: 3.9 4.1
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 12-27-161-2 12-24-151-1
Sacked-yards: 2-18 1-9
Net pass yards: 143 142
Net yards/pass: 4.9 5.7
Total net yards: 225 324
Total plays: 50 (42% run) 69 (63% run)
Yards/play: 4.5 4.7
Fumbles-lost: 2-1 4-1
Turnovers: 3 2
Penalties-yards: 7-47 6-48
Attendance: 54,371
Passing:
SD: John Hadl, 12 of 27 for 161 yards and 2 TDs (2 int) DET: Greg Landry, 12 of 24 for 151 yards and 1 TD (1 int)
Rushing:
SD: Mike Garrett, 12 for 40 yards; Cid Edwards, 9 for 42 yards and 1 TD DET: Mel Farr, 22 for 96 yards and 2 TDs; Altie Taylor, 15 for 42 yards; Greg Landry, 7 for 44 yards and 1 TD
Receiving:
SD: Gary Garrison, 7 for 119 yards and 2 TDs; John Mackey, 4 for 29 yards; Chuck Dicus, 1 for 13 yards DET: Larry Walton, 7 for 101 yards and 1 TD; Charlie Sanders, 3 for 50 yards; Altie Taylor, 2 for 0 yards
Kick returns:
SD: Jesse Taylor, 4 for 96 yards; Lenny Dunlap, 3 for 52 yards DET: Ron Jessie, 3 for 59 yards; Mickey Zofko, 1 for 5 yards
Punt returns:
SD: Lenny Dunlap, 1 for 6 yards
Interceptions:
SD: Bryant Salter, 1 for 25 yards DET: Wayne Rasmussen, 1 for 1 yard; Jim Mitchell, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
SD: Dennis Partee, 3 for 110 yards DET: Herman Weaver, 1 for 42 yards
Field Goals:
DET: Errol Mann, 2/3
SD: John Hadl, 12 of 27 for 161 yards and 2 TDs (2 int) DET: Greg Landry, 12 of 24 for 151 yards and 1 TD (1 int)
Rushing:
SD: Mike Garrett, 12 for 40 yards; Cid Edwards, 9 for 42 yards and 1 TD DET: Mel Farr, 22 for 96 yards and 2 TDs; Altie Taylor, 15 for 42 yards; Greg Landry, 7 for 44 yards and 1 TD
Receiving:
SD: Gary Garrison, 7 for 119 yards and 2 TDs; John Mackey, 4 for 29 yards; Chuck Dicus, 1 for 13 yards DET: Larry Walton, 7 for 101 yards and 1 TD; Charlie Sanders, 3 for 50 yards; Altie Taylor, 2 for 0 yards
Kick returns:
SD: Jesse Taylor, 4 for 96 yards; Lenny Dunlap, 3 for 52 yards DET: Ron Jessie, 3 for 59 yards; Mickey Zofko, 1 for 5 yards
Punt returns:
SD: Lenny Dunlap, 1 for 6 yards
Interceptions:
SD: Bryant Salter, 1 for 25 yards DET: Wayne Rasmussen, 1 for 1 yard; Jim Mitchell, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
SD: Dennis Partee, 3 for 110 yards DET: Herman Weaver, 1 for 42 yards
Field Goals:
DET: Errol Mann, 2/3