All NFL game summaries for 10/08/1978:

Roger Staubach threw three touchdown passes and recorded the fortieth 200-yard passing effort of his career, and Dallas' defense sacked New York quarterbacks eight times. The sack charge was led by Randy White who had three, and Harvey Martin (two). Tony Hill (seven receptions for 112 yards and two touchdowns) and Billy Joe DuPree each caught a scoring pass as the Cowboys built a 14-3 halftime lead. It was Dallas' ninth consecutive victory over the Giants.

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

Line: Cowboys by 11

                     NYG             DAL
First Downs:         10              21
Rushes-yards:        28-102          34-157
Yards/rush:          3.6             4.6
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     6-20-103-1      17-33-246-1
Sacked-yards:        8-63            5-46
Net pass yards:      40              200
Net yards/pass:      1.4             5.3
Total net yards:     142             357
Total plays:         56 (50% run)    72 (47% run)  
Yards/play:          2.5             5.0
Fumbles-lost:        3-1             1-1
Turnovers:           2               2
Penalties-yards:     5-55            4-35

Attendance: 63,420

---

John McDaniel caught Joe Theismann's 25-yard scoring pass with just 1:24 remaining in regulation time as undefeated Washington opened up a two-game lead over Dallas in the NFC East. McDaniel's reception climaxed a five-play 74-yard drive. Rick Kane had put the Lions ahead 19-14 on a six-yard touchdown run with 5:52 left. Gary Danielson, starting in place of Greg Landry, led Detroit on drives to the Redskins' 5, 3, 7 and 14 yard lines but had to settle for four Benny Ricardo field goals. Washington scored in the second quarter when Gerard Williams recovered a blocked punt in the end zone.

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

Line: Redskins by 9

                     WAS             DET
First Downs:         12              19
Rushes-yards:        25-76           46-231
Yards/rush:          3.0             5.0
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     12-27-220-2     15-30-153-1
Sacked-yards:        1-12            1-10
Net pass yards:      208             143
Net yards/pass:      7.4             4.6
Total net yards:     284             374
Total plays:         53 (47% run)    77 (59% run)  
Yards/play:          5.4             4.9
Fumbles-lost:        0-0             1-0
Turnovers:           2               1
Penalties-yards:     5-84            6-45

Attendance: 60,555

---

The Packers, off to their best start since 1966, generated only 166 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown bomb from David Whitehurst to rookie James Lofton, but capitalized on three Chicago turnovers en route to a 17-0 advantage in the third period. Carl Barzilauskas' interception set up a short touchdown run by Terdell Middleton, and Steve Luke scored on a 63-yard interception return. Earlier, Luke recovered a fumble that led to a field goal by Chester Marcol. Bears' quarterback Bob Avellini hit James Scott with fourth quarter touchdown passes of 15 and 17 yards.

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

Line: Bears by 1½

                     CHI             GB
First Downs:         21              8
Rushes-yards:        40-147          36-98
Yards/rush:          3.7             2.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     23-37-224-3     6-12-88-0
Sacked-yards:        2-14            2-20
Net pass yards:      210             68
Net yards/pass:      5.4             4.9
Total net yards:     357             166
Total plays:         79 (50% run)    50 (72% run)  
Yards/play:          4.5             3.3
Fumbles-lost:        3-2             4-2
Turnovers:           5               2
Penalties-yards:     8-70            8-50

Attendance: 56,267

---

Tampa Bay exploded for 20 points in the final eight minutes on three short touchdown runs, and the Buccaneers' defense held the NFL's leading rushing attack to 120 yards. With Tampa Bay leading 10-6 midway through the final stanza, Buccaneer rookie Doug Williams (14 of 23 for 226 yards) engineered an 80-yard march capped by Jimmy DuBose's one-yard drive. Moments later, Cedric Brown's interception set up a three-yard touchdown run by Louis Carter. DuBose closed out the scoring on another one-yard burst. Tony Adams connected with Henry Marshall for the Chiefs' first scoring pass of 1978.

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

Line: Chiefs by 4½

                     TB              KC
First Downs:         21              15
Rushes-yards:        39-121          40-120
Yards/rush:          3.1             3.0
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     14-23-226-0     15-28-136-2
Sacked-yards:        0-0             0-0
Net pass yards:      226             136
Net yards/pass:      9.8             4.9
Total net yards:     347             256
Total plays:         62 (62% run)    68 (58% run)  
Yards/play:          5.6             3.8
Fumbles-lost:        1-1             0-0
Turnovers:           1               2
Penalties-yards:     8-80            9-113

Attendance: 38,201

---

Los Angeles maintained a perfect record by generating a season-high 404 yards. Contributing to the Rams' 227-yard ground attack were Lawrence McCutcheon with 67 yards, Cullen Bryant, 60, and John Cappelletti, 47. Los Angeles gave up its first rushing touchdown of the year on Greg Boykin's short run in the third quarter. San Francisco's O. J. Simpson gained 18 yards on the drive and finished with 83 yards on 20 carries.

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

Line: Rams by 13½

                     SF              LA
First Downs:         13              23
Rushes-yards:        32-132          41-227
Yards/rush:          4.1             5.5
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     7-26-83-1       14-29-191-2
Sacked-yards:        0-0             2-14
Net pass yards:      83              177
Net yards/pass:      3.2             5.7
Total net yards:     215             404
Total plays:         58 (55% run)    72 (56% run)  
Yards/play:          3.7             5.6
Fumbles-lost:        1-1             3-2
Turnovers:           2               4
Penalties-yards:     9-73            15-136

Attendance: 59,337

---

The Patriots rolled to their third consecutive victory with a balanced offensive performance and a club record three fumble recoveries by Steve Nelson. Sam Cunningham's 25 carries for 76 yards paced a 205-yard ground attack against the NFC's top rushing defense. Steve Grogan passed for 189 yards and one touchdown. Eagles wide receiver Harold Carmichael extended his pass-catching streak to 86 games. The Eagles were held under 300 yards for the first time in five games.

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

Line: Patriots by 7

                     PHI             NE
First Downs:         17              22
Rushes-yards:        24-107          50-205
Yards/rush:          4.5             4.1
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     18-39-189-0     12-24-189-1
Sacked-yards:        1-3             0-0
Net pass yards:      186             189
Net yards/pass:      4.7             7.9
Total net yards:     293             394
Total plays:         64 (37% run)    74 (67% run)  
Yards/play:          4.6             5.3
Fumbles-lost:        5-4             3-3
Turnovers:           4               4
Penalties-yards:     7-42            7-54

Attendance: 61,016

---

The Browns' ball control offense, led by Cleo Miller (21 carries for 93 yards) and a rejuvenated Calvin Hill, helped snap a two-game losing streak. Hill, signed as a free agent two weeks earlier, contributed 29 yards on Cleveland's initial scoring drive which ended with Miller's short plunge. The Browns opened up a 14-0 second quarter lead before Archie Manning hit Rich Mauti with a scoring pass and Rich Szaro kicked a field goal to draw the Saints within five at halftime. A third period 14-yard touchdown pass from Brian Sipe to rookie Ozzie Newsome put the contest out of reach. Manning connected with running back Tony Galbreath six times in the Saints' 249-yard aerial attack.

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

Line: Browns by 3½

                     CLE             NO
First Downs:         20              21
Rushes-yards:        44-179          22-67
Yards/rush:          4.1             3.0
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     11-17-103-1     24-39-249-1
Sacked-yards:        1-11            2-18
Net pass yards:      92              231
Net yards/pass:      5.1             5.6
Total net yards:     271             298
Total plays:         62 (70% run)    63 (34% run)  
Yards/play:          4.4             4.7
Fumbles-lost:        2-2             1-1
Turnovers:           3               2
Penalties-yards:     7-58            10-70

Attendance: 50,158

---

The Jets built a 35-7 halftime lead on Kevin Long's three touchdown runs, a 40-yard interception return by Burgess Owens, and Bruce Harper's 82-yard punt return. Long, who carried 13 times for 91 yards, scored twice within 55 seconds after two second period Buffalo miscues. His 16-yard burst was set up by a blocked punt. A fumble on the ensuing kickoff led to a short touchdown drive. Harper's punt return was the second longest in Jets history. Fifteen-year veteran Bill Munson relieved Joe Ferguson and hit Bob Chandler with a 15-yard scoring toss in the final minute.

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

Line: Bills by 2½

                     BUF             NYJ
First Downs:         16              18
Rushes-yards:        35-137          45-231
Yards/rush:          3.9             5.1
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     12-28-185-2     4-10-66-0
Sacked-yards:        0-0             2-19
Net pass yards:      185             47
Net yards/pass:      6.6             3.9
Total net yards:     322             278
Total plays:         63 (55% run)    57 (78% run)  
Yards/play:          5.1             4.9
Fumbles-lost:        2-2             2-1
Turnovers:           4               1
Penalties-yards:     10-78           6-35

Attendance: 44,545

---

Ken Stabler threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Dave Casper with 42 seconds remaining to climax an 80-yard, 11-play march as the Raiders won their second consecutive game in the final moments and earned a first place tie with Denver in the AFC West. Stabler completed six of eight passes in the go-ahead drive. With Houston leading 17-7 in the third quarter, Charles Phillips recovered a fumble at the Oakland 4 and returned it 96 yards to draw the Raiders within three. The loss nullified the Oilers' 373-yard offensive performance.

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

Line: Raiders by 7½

                     HOU             OAK
First Downs:         20              22
Rushes-yards:        51-205          33-123
Yards/rush:          4.0             3.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     9-17-168-1      14-23-168-3
Sacked-yards:        0-0             2-12
Net pass yards:      168             156
Net yards/pass:      9.9             6.2
Total net yards:     373             279
Total plays:         68 (75% run)    58 (56% run)  
Yards/play:          5.5             4.8
Fumbles-lost:        1-1             2-2
Turnovers:           2               5
Penalties-yards:     6-72            3-30

Attendance: 52,550

---

Terry Bradshaw directed the NFL's highest scoring offense on drives of 85, 80, 61, 80 and 71 yards and Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" defense recorded five sacks for the third straight week as the Steelers remained undefeated. Bradshaw, the league's leading passer, completed 13 of 18 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown and also scored on a six-yard keeper. Franco Harris (20 carries for 104 yards) and Rocky Bleier (two touchdowns) helped power a 181-yard rushing attack. Atlanta avoided a shutout with a fourth quarter scoring pass from Steve Bartkowski to Wallace Francis.

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

Line: Steelers by 9

                     ATL             PIT
First Downs:         20              28
Rushes-yards:        34-113          44-181
Yards/rush:          3.3             4.1
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     17-33-188-2     13-18-231-0
Sacked-yards:        5-44            2-25
Net pass yards:      144             206
Net yards/pass:      3.8             10.3
Total net yards:     257             387
Total plays:         72 (47% run)    64 (68% run)  
Yards/play:          3.6             6.0
Fumbles-lost:        3-2             4-3
Turnovers:           4               3
Penalties-yards:     4-38            8-74

Attendance: 48,202

---

Coach Don Coryell achieved a successful home debut as San Diego scored in every period and held Denver scoreless, the first time the Broncos had been shut out in four years. The Chargers held three different quarterbacks to only eight completions in 30 attempts for 90 yards while forcing three interceptions and two fumbles. Recently acquired Lydell Mitchell (19 carries for 65 yards, nine catches for 51) had his best afternoon as a Charger. Rolf Benirschke's three field goals, Don Woods' one-yard run, and Hank Bauer's 14-yard touchdown reception accounted for San Diego's scoring.

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

Line: Broncos by 1

                     DEN             SD
First Downs:         11              19
Rushes-yards:        16-76           45-128
Yards/rush:          4.8             2.8
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     8-30-90-3       22-34-187-1
Sacked-yards:        1-10            3-17
Net pass yards:      80              170
Net yards/pass:      2.6             4.6
Total net yards:     156             298
Total plays:         47 (34% run)    82 (54% run)  
Yards/play:          3.3             3.6
Fumbles-lost:        2-2             1-1
Turnovers:           5               2
Penalties-yards:     6-30            11-78

Attendance: 50,077

---

Efren Herrera kicked a 19-yard field goal with :03 remaining in regulation time to climax a 15-play march from the Seattle 29 to the Minnesota 2. Herrera had two conversion attempts blocked prior to his dramatic kick. The victory squared the Seahawks' record at 3-3 and moved them into second place in the AFC Western Division. Jim Zorn ignited the Seahawks' comeback with his second touchdown run, which cut the Vikings' lead to 28-26 with 9:02 to play. The loss offset an outstanding performance by Fran Tarkenton, who completed 27 of 37 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns.

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

Line: Vikings by 5

                     MIN             SEA
First Downs:         28              23
Rushes-yards:        31-117          32-184
Yards/rush:          3.8             5.8
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     27-37-274-0     17-28-256-2
Sacked-yards:        0-0             2-8
Net pass yards:      274             248
Net yards/pass:      7.4             8.3
Total net yards:     391             432
Total plays:         68 (45% run)    62 (51% run)  
Yards/play:          5.8             7.0
Fumbles-lost:        2-1             1-0
Turnovers:           1               2
Penalties-yards:     5-31            8-49

Attendance: 62,031

---

St. Louis gained 343 yards and recorded 21 first downs but remained winless under Bud Wilkinson as the Colts capitalized on a blocked punt and Lyle Blackwood scored on a 79-yard interception return. Randy Burke's block of Steve Little's punt set up a short plunge by Roosevelt Leaks. Lloyd Mumphord's deflection led to a game-clinching five-yard touchdown run by quarterback Bill Troup. St. Louis also was victimized by two fumbles and four sacks.

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

Line: Cardinals by 2½

                     BAL             STL
First Downs:         14              21
Rushes-yards:        35-156          39-145
Yards/rush:          4.5             3.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     10-17-77-1      19-32-230-1
Sacked-yards:        1-11            4-32
Net pass yards:      66              198
Net yards/pass:      3.7             5.5
Total net yards:     222             343
Total plays:         53 (66% run)    75 (52% run)  
Yards/play:          4.2             4.6
Fumbles-lost:        1-1             2-2
Turnovers:           2               3
Penalties-yards:     3-35            12-96

Attendance: 47,479

---