All NFL game summaries for 12/14/1974:
Fran Tarkenton and Bob Berry shared playing time and each tossed two touchdown passes for the playoff-bound Vikings. A crowd of 35,480 watched in the rain while 36,934 others who bought tickets failed to show. Emmitt Thomas, the AFC interception leader with 12, provided the Chiefs' main spark with a 73-yard touchdown run after picking off a Tarkenton pass. It was the longest interception return of the season in the NFL. Rookie Sam McCullum of the Vikings caught six passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 134.0 (15) | 193.2 (1) | 327.2 (4) | 20 |
| DEFENSE | 117.1 (7) | 161.8 (18) | 278.9 (11) | 30 | |
 | OFFENSE | 125.9 (17) | 146.9 (15) | 272.8 (15) | 35 |
| DEFENSE | 129.8 (12) | 186.1 (25) | 315.8 (23) | 42 |
Line: Vikings by 5
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings (10-4-0) | 0 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
| Kansas City Chiefs (5-9-0) | 3 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 15 |
( 0- 3) KC Jan Stenerud 37 yard field goal
( 0- 6) KC Jan Stenerud 32 yard field goal
( 7- 6) MIN Sam McCullum 34 yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick)
(14- 6) MIN Sam McCullum 10 yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick)
(14-12) KC Emmitt Thomas 73 yard interception return (kick failed)
(21-12) MIN Ed Marinaro 7 yard pass from Bob Berry (Fred Cox kick)
(21-15) KC Jan Stenerud 29 yard field goal
(28-15) MIN Oscar Reed 3 yard pass from Bob Berry (Fred Cox kick)
(35-15) MIN Brent McClanahan 6 yard rush (Fred Cox kick)
MIN KC
First Downs: 22 17
Rushes-yards: 33-114 27-83
Yards/rush: 3.5 3.1
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 19-29-246-1 16-31-240-2
Sacked-yards: 1-2 5-42
Net pass yards: 244 198
Net yards/pass: 8.1 5.5
Total net yards: 358 281
Total plays: 63 (52% run) 63 (42% run)
Yards/play: 5.7 4.5
Fumbles-lost: 3-1 1-1
Turnovers: 2 3
Penalties-yards: 4-25 4-20
Attendance: 35,480
Passing:
MIN: Fran Tarkenton, 8 of 17 for 135 yards and 2 TDs (1 int); Bob Berry, 11 of 12 for 111 yards and 2 TDs KC: Len Dawson, 9 of 16 for 124 yards (1 int); Dean Carlson, 7 of 15 for 116 yards (1 int)
Rushing:
MIN: Oscar Reed, 15 for 57 yards; Ed Marinaro, 12 for 31 yards; Brent McClanahan, 3 for 25 yards and 1 TD; Bill Brown, 3 for 1 yard KC: Cleo Miller, 12 for 45 yards; Jeff Kinney, 9 for 28 yards; Wendell Hayes, 3 for 4 yards; Dean Carlson, 2 for 17 yards; Larry Brunson, 1 for -11 yards
Receiving:
MIN: Sam McCullum, 6 for 118 yards and 2 TDs; Oscar Reed, 6 for 37 yards and 1 TD; Doug Kingsriter, 2 for 34 yards; Jim Lash, 2 for 30 yards; Ed Marinaro, 2 for 10 yards and 1 TD; Brent McClanahan, 1 for 17 yards KC: Cleo Miller, 4 for 66 yards; Jeff Kinney, 4 for 42 yards; Elmo Wright, 3 for 75 yards; Otis Taylor, 2 for 27 yards; Barry Pearson, 2 for 26 yards; Wendell Hayes, 1 for 4 yards
Kick returns:
MIN: Brent McClanahan, 2 for 84 yards; Sam McCullum, 2 for 63 yards KC: Bill Thomas, 2 for 55 yards; Cleo Miller, 1 for 24 yards; Tommy Humphrey, 1 for 7 yards
Punt returns:
MIN: Sam McCullum, 1 for 12 yards KC: Larry Brunson, 2 for 16 yards
Interceptions:
MIN: Jeff Siemon, 1 for 22 yards; Wally Hilgenberg, 1 for 0 yards KC: Emmitt Thomas, 1 for 73 yards and 1 TD
Punting:
MIN: Mike Eischeid, 3 for 98 yards KC: Jerrel Wilson, 3 for 149 yards
Field Goals:
MIN: Fred Cox, 0/1 KC: Jan Stenerud, 3/3
MIN: Fran Tarkenton, 8 of 17 for 135 yards and 2 TDs (1 int); Bob Berry, 11 of 12 for 111 yards and 2 TDs KC: Len Dawson, 9 of 16 for 124 yards (1 int); Dean Carlson, 7 of 15 for 116 yards (1 int)
Rushing:
MIN: Oscar Reed, 15 for 57 yards; Ed Marinaro, 12 for 31 yards; Brent McClanahan, 3 for 25 yards and 1 TD; Bill Brown, 3 for 1 yard KC: Cleo Miller, 12 for 45 yards; Jeff Kinney, 9 for 28 yards; Wendell Hayes, 3 for 4 yards; Dean Carlson, 2 for 17 yards; Larry Brunson, 1 for -11 yards
Receiving:
MIN: Sam McCullum, 6 for 118 yards and 2 TDs; Oscar Reed, 6 for 37 yards and 1 TD; Doug Kingsriter, 2 for 34 yards; Jim Lash, 2 for 30 yards; Ed Marinaro, 2 for 10 yards and 1 TD; Brent McClanahan, 1 for 17 yards KC: Cleo Miller, 4 for 66 yards; Jeff Kinney, 4 for 42 yards; Elmo Wright, 3 for 75 yards; Otis Taylor, 2 for 27 yards; Barry Pearson, 2 for 26 yards; Wendell Hayes, 1 for 4 yards
Kick returns:
MIN: Brent McClanahan, 2 for 84 yards; Sam McCullum, 2 for 63 yards KC: Bill Thomas, 2 for 55 yards; Cleo Miller, 1 for 24 yards; Tommy Humphrey, 1 for 7 yards
Punt returns:
MIN: Sam McCullum, 1 for 12 yards KC: Larry Brunson, 2 for 16 yards
Interceptions:
MIN: Jeff Siemon, 1 for 22 yards; Wally Hilgenberg, 1 for 0 yards KC: Emmitt Thomas, 1 for 73 yards and 1 TD
Punting:
MIN: Mike Eischeid, 3 for 98 yards KC: Jerrel Wilson, 3 for 149 yards
Field Goals:
MIN: Fred Cox, 0/1 KC: Jan Stenerud, 3/3
Ken Stabler connected with his 25th and 26th touchdown passes and 47-year-old George Blanda hit Cliff Branch with his first pass completion since 1972 as the Raiders prepared for playoff action against Miami. Branch's touchdown catch gave him 13 for the year, tops in the AFC, ending Blanda's eight-year reign as Oakland scoring champion. The Cowboys got 60 yards from running back Charley Young, and Roger Staubach passed for 266 yards. Ray Guy nailed down the AFC punting title with a 42.2 yard average.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 177.7 (1) | 174.8 (4) | 352.5 (1) | 29 |
| DEFENSE | 93.7 (2) | 152.2 (15) | 245.8 (5) | 25 | |
 | OFFENSE | 169.8 (3) | 172.5 (5) | 342.4 (2) | 27 |
| DEFENSE | 151.1 (20) | 142.7 (9) | 293.8 (15) | 39 |
Line: Raiders by 5
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys (8-6-0) | 9 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 23 |
| Oakland Raiders (12-2-0) | 3 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
( 7- 0) DAL Drew Pearson 0 yard fumble return (Efren Herrera kick)
( 7- 3) OAK George Blanda 31 yard field goal
( 9- 3) DAL Safety, snap fumbled out of end zone
( 9-10) OAK Fred Biletnikoff 9 yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick)
( 9-17) OAK Charlie Smith 14 yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick)
( 9-24) OAK Cliff Branch 28 yard pass from George Blanda (George Blanda kick)
(16-24) DAL Doug Dennison 1 yard rush (Efren Herrera kick)
(16-27) OAK George Blanda 34 yard field goal
(23-27) DAL Doug Dennison 2 yard rush (Efren Herrera kick)
DAL OAK
First Downs: 21 15
Rushes-yards: 28-144 34-126
Yards/rush: 5.1 3.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 17-39-266-0 14-25-167-1
Sacked-yards: 2-10 3-26
Net pass yards: 256 141
Net yards/pass: 6.2 5.0
Total net yards: 400 267
Total plays: 69 (40% run) 62 (54% run)
Yards/play: 5.8 4.3
Fumbles-lost: 3-2 2-0
Turnovers: 2 1
Penalties-yards: 4-35 5-98
Attendance: 45,840
Passing:
DAL: Roger Staubach, 17 of 39 for 266 yards OAK: Ken Stabler, 11 of 17 for 131 yards and 2 TDs; Larry Lawrence, 2 of 4 for 8 yards (1 int); George Blanda, 1 of 4 for 28 yards and 1 TD
Rushing:
DAL: Charley Young, 8 for 60 yards; Robert Newhouse, 8 for 28 yards; Calvin Hill, 5 for 25 yards; Doug Dennison, 4 for 11 yards and 2 TDs; Roger Staubach, 2 for 17 yards; Walt Garrison, 1 for 3 yards OAK: Pete Banaszak, 10 for 25 yards; Marv Hubbard, 7 for 27 yards; Clarence Davis, 7 for 26 yards; Charlie Smith, 6 for 26 yards; Harold Hart, 2 for 6 yards; Larry Lawrence, 1 for 12 yards; Mark van Eeghen, 1 for 4 yards
Receiving:
DAL: Billy Joe DuPree, 4 for 74 yards; Drew Pearson, 4 for 72 yards; Bill Houston, 3 for 30 yards; Walt Garrison, 2 for 45 yards; Charley Young, 2 for 7 yards; Bob Hayes, 1 for 31 yards; Golden Richards, 1 for 7 yards OAK: Fred Biletnikoff, 4 for 60 yards and 1 TD; Cliff Branch, 3 for 50 yards and 1 TD; Pete Banaszak, 3 for 17 yards; Clarence Davis, 2 for 15 yards; Charlie Smith, 1 for 14 yards and 1 TD; Bob Moore, 1 for 11 yards
Kick returns:
DAL: Dennis Morgan, 5 for 127 yards; Doug Dennison, 1 for 27 yards; Cliff Harris, 1 for 14 yards OAK: Harold Hart, 2 for 58 yards; Pete Banaszak, 1 for 13 yards; Ron Smith, 1 for 12 yards
Punt returns:
DAL: Dennis Morgan, 2 for 19 yards; Cliff Harris, 1 for 0 yards OAK: Ron Smith, 3 for 90 yards
Interceptions:
DAL: Lee Roy Jordan, 1 for 13 yards
Punting:
DAL: Duane Carrell, 5 for 166 yards OAK: Ray Guy, 6 for 286 yards
Field Goals:
DAL: Efren Herrera, 0/1 OAK: George Blanda, 2/3
DAL: Roger Staubach, 17 of 39 for 266 yards OAK: Ken Stabler, 11 of 17 for 131 yards and 2 TDs; Larry Lawrence, 2 of 4 for 8 yards (1 int); George Blanda, 1 of 4 for 28 yards and 1 TD
Rushing:
DAL: Charley Young, 8 for 60 yards; Robert Newhouse, 8 for 28 yards; Calvin Hill, 5 for 25 yards; Doug Dennison, 4 for 11 yards and 2 TDs; Roger Staubach, 2 for 17 yards; Walt Garrison, 1 for 3 yards OAK: Pete Banaszak, 10 for 25 yards; Marv Hubbard, 7 for 27 yards; Clarence Davis, 7 for 26 yards; Charlie Smith, 6 for 26 yards; Harold Hart, 2 for 6 yards; Larry Lawrence, 1 for 12 yards; Mark van Eeghen, 1 for 4 yards
Receiving:
DAL: Billy Joe DuPree, 4 for 74 yards; Drew Pearson, 4 for 72 yards; Bill Houston, 3 for 30 yards; Walt Garrison, 2 for 45 yards; Charley Young, 2 for 7 yards; Bob Hayes, 1 for 31 yards; Golden Richards, 1 for 7 yards OAK: Fred Biletnikoff, 4 for 60 yards and 1 TD; Cliff Branch, 3 for 50 yards and 1 TD; Pete Banaszak, 3 for 17 yards; Clarence Davis, 2 for 15 yards; Charlie Smith, 1 for 14 yards and 1 TD; Bob Moore, 1 for 11 yards
Kick returns:
DAL: Dennis Morgan, 5 for 127 yards; Doug Dennison, 1 for 27 yards; Cliff Harris, 1 for 14 yards OAK: Harold Hart, 2 for 58 yards; Pete Banaszak, 1 for 13 yards; Ron Smith, 1 for 12 yards
Punt returns:
DAL: Dennis Morgan, 2 for 19 yards; Cliff Harris, 1 for 0 yards OAK: Ron Smith, 3 for 90 yards
Interceptions:
DAL: Lee Roy Jordan, 1 for 13 yards
Punting:
DAL: Duane Carrell, 5 for 166 yards OAK: Ray Guy, 6 for 286 yards
Field Goals:
DAL: Efren Herrera, 0/1 OAK: George Blanda, 2/3
Franco Harris went over the 1,000-yard mark with 1,006 and Terry Bradshaw threw two touchdown passes as the Steelers won 10 or more games for third straight year. The Bengals, hampered by injuries, used Wayne Clark for injured Ken Anderson at quarterback. Roy Gerela's two field goals and three conversions gave him the AFC scoring title with 93 points. Lynn Swann returned three punts for 112 yards for a league-leading total of 577 yards, only 35 short of the record.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 139.1 (12) | 191.4 (2) | 330.5 (3) | 29 |
| DEFENSE | 152.4 (21) | 123.6 (4) | 276.0 (10) | 18 | |
 | OFFENSE | 172.8 (2) | 136.5 (20) | 309.3 (8) | 38 |
| DEFENSE | 110.6 (4) | 111.0 (2) | 221.6 (1) | 45 |
Line: Steelers by 8
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals (7-7-0) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3-1) | 7 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
( 0- 7) PIT John Stallworth 5 yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick)
( 0-14) PIT Gerry Mullins 7 yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick)
( 0-17) PIT Roy Gerela 26 yard field goal
( 3-17) CIN Horst Muhlmann 32 yard field goal
( 3-24) PIT Reggie Harrison 1 yard rush (Roy Gerela kick)
( 3-27) PIT Roy Gerela 42 yard field goal
CIN PIT
First Downs: 11 21
Rushes-yards: 41-170 37-171
Yards/rush: 4.1 4.6
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 3-8-23-1 12-21-183-0
Sacked-yards: 0-0 0-0
Net pass yards: 23 183
Net yards/pass: 2.9 8.7
Total net yards: 193 354
Total plays: 49 (83% run) 58 (63% run)
Yards/play: 3.9 6.1
Fumbles-lost: 1-1 3-2
Turnovers: 2 2
Penalties-yards: 4-29 3-63
Attendance: 42,878
Passing:
CIN: Wayne Clark, 3 of 8 for 23 yards (1 int) PIT: Terry Bradshaw, 8 of 13 for 132 yards and 2 TDs; Joe Gilliam, 4 of 8 for 51 yards
Rushing:
CIN: Ed Williams, 18 for 67 yards; Charlie Davis, 13 for 73 yards; Doug Dressler, 8 for 16 yards; Charlie Joiner, 1 for 8 yards; Isaac Curtis, 1 for 6 yards PIT: Franco Harris, 17 for 79 yards; Rocky Bleier, 8 for 38 yards; Reggie Harrison, 5 for 24 yards and 1 TD; Steve Davis, 5 for 12 yards; Lynn Swann, 1 for 14 yards; Terry Bradshaw, 1 for 4 yards
Receiving:
CIN: Bruce Coslet, 2 for 24 yards; Ed Williams, 1 for -1 yards PIT: John Stallworth, 6 for 105 yards and 1 TD; Lynn Swann, 2 for 44 yards; Randy Grossman, 1 for 18 yards; Steve Davis, 1 for 7 yards; Gerry Mullins, 1 for 7 yards and 1 TD; Reggie Harrison, 1 for 2 yards
Kick returns:
CIN: Bernard Jackson, 4 for 110 yards; John McDaniel, 2 for 40 yards PIT: Dick Conn, 1 for 34 yards; Reggie Harrison, 1 for 27 yards
Punt returns:
CIN: Tommy Casanova, 1 for 9 yards PIT: Lynn Swann, 3 for 112 yards; Dick Conn, 1 for 11 yards
Interceptions:
PIT: Donnie Shell, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
CIN: Dave Green, 5 for 211 yards PIT: Bobby Walden, 3 for 83 yards
Field Goals:
CIN: Horst Muhlmann, 1/2 PIT: Roy Gerela, 2/2
CIN: Wayne Clark, 3 of 8 for 23 yards (1 int) PIT: Terry Bradshaw, 8 of 13 for 132 yards and 2 TDs; Joe Gilliam, 4 of 8 for 51 yards
Rushing:
CIN: Ed Williams, 18 for 67 yards; Charlie Davis, 13 for 73 yards; Doug Dressler, 8 for 16 yards; Charlie Joiner, 1 for 8 yards; Isaac Curtis, 1 for 6 yards PIT: Franco Harris, 17 for 79 yards; Rocky Bleier, 8 for 38 yards; Reggie Harrison, 5 for 24 yards and 1 TD; Steve Davis, 5 for 12 yards; Lynn Swann, 1 for 14 yards; Terry Bradshaw, 1 for 4 yards
Receiving:
CIN: Bruce Coslet, 2 for 24 yards; Ed Williams, 1 for -1 yards PIT: John Stallworth, 6 for 105 yards and 1 TD; Lynn Swann, 2 for 44 yards; Randy Grossman, 1 for 18 yards; Steve Davis, 1 for 7 yards; Gerry Mullins, 1 for 7 yards and 1 TD; Reggie Harrison, 1 for 2 yards
Kick returns:
CIN: Bernard Jackson, 4 for 110 yards; John McDaniel, 2 for 40 yards PIT: Dick Conn, 1 for 34 yards; Reggie Harrison, 1 for 27 yards
Punt returns:
CIN: Tommy Casanova, 1 for 9 yards PIT: Lynn Swann, 3 for 112 yards; Dick Conn, 1 for 11 yards
Interceptions:
PIT: Donnie Shell, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
CIN: Dave Green, 5 for 211 yards PIT: Bobby Walden, 3 for 83 yards
Field Goals:
CIN: Horst Muhlmann, 1/2 PIT: Roy Gerela, 2/2