NFL game summary for 10/08/1978:

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):

	Rush Yds/Gm	Pass Yds/Gm	Tot Yds/Gm	Turnovers
OFFENSE	180.8 (5)	143.2 (18)	324.0 (5)	7
DEFENSE	126.4 (11)	171.8 (19)	298.2 (16)	11
OFFENSE	126.4 (18)	82.2 (28)	208.6 (28)	6
DEFENSE	162.8 (21)	112.0 (1)	274.8 (7)	13

Line: Redskins by 9

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Washington Redskins (6-0-0)	0	7	0	14	21
Detroit Lions (1-5-0)	3	6	3	7	19

( 0- 3) DET Benny Ricardo 19 yard field goal ( 0- 6) DET Benny Ricardo 23 yard field goal ( 0- 9) DET Benny Ricardo 31 yard field goal ( 7- 9) WAS Gerard Williams 0 yard fumble return (Mark Moseley kick) ( 7-12) DET Benny Ricardo 22 yard field goal (14-12) WAS Jean Fugett 21 yard pass from Joe Theismann (Mark Moseley kick) (14-19) DET Rick Kane 6 yard rush (Benny Ricardo kick) (21-19) WAS John McDaniel 25 yard pass from Joe Theismann (Mark Moseley kick)

                     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

Passing:
WAS: Joe Theismann, 12 of 27 for 220 yards and 2 TDs (2 int) DET: Gary Danielson, 15 of 30 for 153 yards (1 int)
Rushing:
WAS: John Riggins, 12 for 44 yards; Mike Thomas, 10 for 14 yards; Joe Theismann, 2 for 5 yards; John McDaniel, 1 for 13 yards DET: Rick Kane, 18 for 62 yards and 1 TD; Dexter Bussey, 12 for 60 yards; Horace King, 10 for 84 yards; Lawrence Gaines, 5 for 17 yards; Gary Danielson, 1 for 8 yards
Receiving:
WAS: Mike Thomas, 4 for 67 yards; John McDaniel, 3 for 90 yards and 1 TD; Jean Fugett, 2 for 34 yards and 1 TD; John Riggins, 2 for 16 yards; Frank Grant, 1 for 13 yards DET: David Hill, 4 for 54 yards; Jesse Thompson, 3 for 35 yards; Rick Kane, 3 for 20 yards; Horace King, 2 for 24 yards; Luther Blue, 2 for 13 yards; Lawrence Gaines, 1 for 7 yards
Kick returns:
WAS: Tony Green, 2 for 41 yards; Ike Forte, 2 for 37 yards; Clarence Harmon, 1 for 16 yards; Don Harris, 1 for 12 yards DET: Jesse Thompson, 2 for 40 yards
Punt returns:
WAS: Tony Green, 5 for 31 yards DET: Jesse Thompson, 4 for 19 yards
Interceptions:
WAS: Jake Scott, 1 for 0 yards DET: Ed O'Neil, 1 for 31 yards; Charlie Weaver, 1 for 22 yards
Punting:
WAS: Mike Bragg, 8 for 360 yards DET: Tom Skladany, 5 for 241 yards
Field Goals:
DET: Benny Ricardo, 4/5