All NFL game summaries for 10/29/1978:

Gary Danielson engineered 75-yard scoring marches on Detroit's first two possessions and the defense stymied a pair of fourth quarter Chicago drives as the Lions won their second straight game. Horace King's one-yard plunge climaxed the first march, which gave Detroit a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Danielson, who completed 20 of 32 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns, finished the second drive with an eight-yard pass to Jesse Thompson. Chicago closed the Detroit margin to 21-17 in the third quarter on Roland Harper's two-yard run, which concluded a six-play, 89-yard drive. Early in the fourth quarter, the Bears drove to the Lions' 14 but Bob Avellini was stopped for no gain on a fourth-and-one play. On its next offensive series, Chicago advanced to the Detroit 28. On fourth down, Walter Payton was thrown for a six-yard loss. Payton, the NFC's leading rusher, carried 18 times for 89 yards.

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

Line: Bears by 5

                     DET             CHI
First Downs:         23              21
Rushes-yards:        38-134          34-167
Yards/rush:          3.5             4.9
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     20-33-190-1     15-27-213-1
Sacked-yards:        1-9             2-22
Net pass yards:      181             191
Net yards/pass:      5.3             6.6
Total net yards:     315             358
Total plays:         72 (52% run)    63 (53% run)  
Yards/play:          4.4             5.7
Fumbles-lost:        0-0             3-1
Turnovers:           1               2
Penalties-yards:     5-67            6-46

Attendance: 53,378

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Pete Johnson scored on a short plunge as the Bengals registered their first touchdown in over 13 quarters and ended a club-record nine-game losing streak. The running of rookie David Turner (13 carries for 84 yards) and the passing of Ken Anderson (11 of 16 for 268 yards) paced the 436-yard Cincinnati attack. Anderson, rounding into form after a preseason hand injury, connected with Isaac Curtis four times for 130 yards and a touchdown. Bengals' defensive end Ross Browner contributed one sack, seven unassisted tackles, and knocked down a pass. Houston's Earl Campbell rushed for 100 yards for the fifth time in 1978, gaining 102 yards on 18 carries.

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

Line: Oilers by 7

                     HOU             CIN
First Downs:         15              18
Rushes-yards:        27-137          48-189
Yards/rush:          5.1             3.9
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     13-27-142-0     11-16-268-0
Sacked-yards:        2-24            3-21
Net pass yards:      118             247
Net yards/pass:      4.1             13.0
Total net yards:     255             436
Total plays:         56 (48% run)    67 (71% run)  
Yards/play:          4.6             6.5
Fumbles-lost:        2-2             2-1
Turnovers:           2               1
Penalties-yards:     8-63            5-85

Attendance: 50,532

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The pinpoint passing of Brian Sipe and a season-high 309-yard ground attack enabled Cleveland to overpower Buffalo and maintain a second place tie with Houston in the AFC Central. Sipe (12 of 15 for 217 yards and three touchdowns) helped guide the Browns to a 20-7 halftime lead on touchdown passes to Reggie Rucker and Calvin Hill. Mike Pruitt ran for a career-high 173 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown, while Greg Pruitt rushed 13 times for 87 yards. Thom Darden, the AFC's leading interceptor, picked off two passes to run his total to seven. Buffalo's Bob Chandler caught seven passes for 114 yards, his second game over 100 yards in 1978.

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

Line: Browns by 6

                     BUF             CLE
First Downs:         28              28
Rushes-yards:        25-82           47-309
Yards/rush:          3.3             6.6
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     17-38-224-2     14-17-234-0
Sacked-yards:        2-23            1-11
Net pass yards:      201             223
Net yards/pass:      5.0             12.4
Total net yards:     283             532
Total plays:         65 (38% run)    65 (72% run)  
Yards/play:          4.4             8.2
Fumbles-lost:        4-1             1-1
Turnovers:           3               1
Penalties-yards:     7-64            12-135

Attendance: 51,409

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Chester Marcol's 48-yard field goal with 41 seconds left culminated an 80-yard, 10-play drive as the Packers, off to their best start since 1966, maintained a two-game advantage over Minnesota in NFC Central Division. Green Bay's winning march featured the passing of David Whitehurst, who had completions to James Lofton for 21 yards, Aundra Thompson for 12 yards, and a fourth-down 18-yarder to Steve Odom. The Packers' defense forced two fumbles and one interception as the Buccaneers were limited to 170 yards (72 rushing and 98 passing). Marcol's decisive kick moved the seven-year pro into a fourth place tie with Fred Cone on the Packers' all-time scoring list with 455 points.

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

Line: Packers by 5

                     TB              GB
First Downs:         7               18
Rushes-yards:        34-72           45-91
Yards/rush:          2.1             2.0
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     5-17-98-1       16-33-173-1
Sacked-yards:        0-0             2-15
Net pass yards:      98              158
Net yards/pass:      5.8             4.5
Total net yards:     170             249
Total plays:         51 (66% run)    80 (56% run)  
Yards/play:          3.3             3.1
Fumbles-lost:        2-2             5-3
Turnovers:           3               4
Penalties-yards:     3-38            3-20

Attendance: 55,108

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Veteran defensive end Vern Den Herder scored his first NFL touchdown and Bob Griese connected on 14 of 22 passes for 188 yards as Miami completed a two-game sweep of the Colts and moved into second place in the AFC East, one game behind New England. Griese, making his second start since a preseason knee injury, fired a 33-yard touchdown to Nat Moore and a 63-yard scoring toss to Duriel Harris, who had three receptions for 91 yards. Den Herder's touchdown came on a fake field goal attempt when backup quarterback Don Strock, the holder, rolled out and found the eight-year pro with a seven-yard pass. Baltimore's Joe Washington rushed 20 times for 126 yards. The Colts, AFC East champions the last three seasons, played without quarterback Bert Jones and dropped to a 3-6 record.

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

Line: Dolphins by 12½

                     BAL             MIA
First Downs:         13              14
Rushes-yards:        33-192          39-120
Yards/rush:          5.8             3.1
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     7-14-71-4       15-23-195-2
Sacked-yards:        5-32            1-6
Net pass yards:      39              189
Net yards/pass:      2.1             7.9
Total net yards:     231             309
Total plays:         52 (63% run)    63 (61% run)  
Yards/play:          4.4             4.9
Fumbles-lost:        2-2             2-0
Turnovers:           6               2
Penalties-yards:     9-89            7-60

Attendance: 53,542

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New England's offensive unit, statistically the best in the NFL, generated a club record 529 yards and scored touchdowns on its first seven possessions as the Patriots won their sixth straight game. Steve Grogan connected on scoring passes of 11, 28, 30 and 11 yards en route to 281 passing yards in the first half. Harold Jackson (five receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns) became the only NFL receiver with three 100-yard plus performances this season. Don Calhoun paced New England rushers with 89 yards on 10 carries. The intradivisional victory advanced the Patriots into sole possession of first place in the AFC East.

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

Line: Patriots by 9

                     NYJ             NE
First Downs:         20              26
Rushes-yards:        27-104          43-240
Yards/rush:          3.9             5.6
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     17-33-178-2     16-21-296-0
Sacked-yards:        1-6             1-7
Net pass yards:      172             289
Net yards/pass:      5.1             13.1
Total net yards:     276             529
Total plays:         61 (44% run)    65 (66% run)  
Yards/play:          4.5             8.1
Fumbles-lost:        1-0             1-1
Turnovers:           2               1
Penalties-yards:     6-60            9-125

Attendance: 60,585

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New Orleans overcame an early 10-point deficit with three second half touchdowns as the Saints tied a club record with their third straight victory. New York's 17-7 advantage, highlighted by Maurice Tyler's recovery of a blocked punt in the end zone, was erased by two short Archie Manning touchdown passes to tight end Henry Childs and a 20-yard scoring run by Tony Galbreath. Galbreath, the NFC's second leading receiver, added 53 yards on three receptions. The Saints' defensive unit contributed two sacks and three interceptions.

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

Line: Saints by 2

                     NYG             NO
First Downs:         17              22
Rushes-yards:        38-204          43-161
Yards/rush:          5.4             3.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     10-26-142-3     13-21-166-0
Sacked-yards:        2-13            4-27
Net pass yards:      129             139
Net yards/pass:      4.6             5.6
Total net yards:     333             300
Total plays:         66 (57% run)    68 (63% run)  
Yards/play:          5.0             4.4
Fumbles-lost:        0-0             4-1
Turnovers:           3               1
Penalties-yards:     8-122           9-57

Attendance: 58,806

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San Diego scored 10 points in the final 52 seconds in a come-from-behind surprise of the Raiders. The Chargers trailed 23-17 when Dan Fouts hit Greg McCrary with a 29-yard scoring pass that gave San Diego a 24-23 advantage. Rolf Benirschke added an insurance field goal later in the final minute. Oakland utilized a fumble recovery by Mike McCoy and an interception by Charles Phillips to build a 20-7 halftime lead. San Diego closed to within 20-14 on its first possession of the second half. Fouts closed an 11-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard run. The Raiders (5-4) lost their second straight game for the first time since 1975 but remained only a game behind Denver in the AFC West.

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

Line: Raiders by 6½

                     SD              OAK
First Downs:         22              15
Rushes-yards:        42-161          37-147
Yards/rush:          3.8             4.0
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     11-28-165-1     11-17-126-1
Sacked-yards:        2-2             4-39
Net pass yards:      163             87
Net yards/pass:      5.4             4.1
Total net yards:     324             234
Total plays:         72 (58% run)    58 (63% run)  
Yards/play:          4.5             4.0
Fumbles-lost:        3-1             1-0
Turnovers:           2               1
Penalties-yards:     1-5             8-80

Attendance: 52,612

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Despite a slight shoulder separation, Jim Hart completed 12 of 24 passes for 260 yards and a game-deciding 55-yard touchdown to Dave Stief as the Cardinals presented head coach Bud Wilkinson with his first professional victory. The Cardinals' defensive unit stopped two fourth quarter Eagles' drives to protect the win. Philadelphia failed to advance on four plays from the Cardinals' 30 and a later drive was halted when Ron Jaworski's pass was intercepted by Roger Wehrli in the end zone. The Eagles accumulated 354 yards and wide receiver Harold Carmichael caught seven passes for 126 yards in extending his consecutive game receiving streak to 89.

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

Line: Eagles by 11

                     STL             PHI
First Downs:         15              19
Rushes-yards:        35-94           28-132
Yards/rush:          2.7             4.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     12-24-260-3     21-40-231-3
Sacked-yards:        0-0             2-11
Net pass yards:      260             220
Net yards/pass:      10.8            5.2
Total net yards:     354             352
Total plays:         59 (59% run)    70 (40% run)  
Yards/play:          6.0             5.0
Fumbles-lost:        4-0             4-2
Turnovers:           3               5
Penalties-yards:     7-53            6-45

Attendance: 62,989

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The Steelers built a 20-3 halftime advantage behind the running of Franco Harris, but needed a fumble return touchdown by Donnie Shell to ensure the victory and restore their three-game lead in the AFC Central Division. Harris (25 carries for 90 yards) scored on touchdown runs of 1 and 11 yards. Terry Bradshaw, the NFL's top-rated passer, had an off day, completing just 7 of 13 passes for 109 yards. Rushing from the wing-T, Kansas City scored twice in less than two minutes to pull within 20-17 late in the third period. Shell's first NFL touchdown came when he scooped up Horace Belton's fumble and ran 17 yards.

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

Line: Steelers by 14

                     KC              PIT
First Downs:         20              17
Rushes-yards:        39-181          40-135
Yards/rush:          4.6             3.4
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     15-28-148-2     8-15-119-2
Sacked-yards:        1-7             4-39
Net pass yards:      141             80
Net yards/pass:      4.9             4.2
Total net yards:     322             215
Total plays:         68 (57% run)    59 (67% run)  
Yards/play:          4.7             3.6
Fumbles-lost:        2-1             1-1
Turnovers:           3               3
Penalties-yards:     10-114          9-65

Attendance: 48,185

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Steve Foley's 30-yard interception return set up an 18-yard field goal by Jim Turner with 2:01 remaining in overtime as Denver earned its sixth victory and sole possession of first place in the AFC West. Lonnie Perrin's scoring run gave the Broncos a 17-14 advantage. Seattle's Efren Herrera kicked a 37-yard field goal with 53 seconds left in regulation play to send Denver into its third overtime contest of 1978. The Broncos alternated five backs in a 278-yard rushing performance. Sherman Smith paced Seahawk rushers with 73 yards on 17 carries.

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

Line: Broncos by 3

                     DEN             SEA
First Downs:         25              19
Rushes-yards:        57-278          32-118
Yards/rush:          4.9             3.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     11-28-155-0     15-40-148-4
Sacked-yards:        3-10            1-8
Net pass yards:      145             140
Net yards/pass:      4.7             3.4
Total net yards:     423             258
Total plays:         88 (64% run)    73 (43% run)  
Yards/play:          4.8             3.5
Fumbles-lost:        3-3             1-1
Turnovers:           3               5
Penalties-yards:     12-103          9-61

Attendance: 62,948

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Sixteen-year veteran Billy Kilmer, starting for Joe Theismann, completed 12 of 23 passes for 185 yards as the Redskins overcame an early 10-point deficit and snapped a two-game losing streak. Kilmer's 50-yard touchdown toss to Danny Buggs and John Riggins' one-yard scoring run staked Washington to a 14-13 halftime lead. Steve DeBerg passed for 215 yards but could not prevent San Francisco's eighth loss in nine games and poorest start in 15 years. The Redskins' 296 yard attack was their best offensive day since 1975 and helped them maintain a one-game advantage over Dallas in the NFC East.

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

Line: Redskins by 10

                     SF              WAS
First Downs:         24              21
Rushes-yards:        34-125          44-119
Yards/rush:          3.7             2.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     19-33-215-3     12-23-185-0
Sacked-yards:        2-14            2-8
Net pass yards:      201             177
Net yards/pass:      5.7             7.1
Total net yards:     326             296
Total plays:         69 (49% run)    69 (63% run)  
Yards/play:          4.7             4.3
Fumbles-lost:        6-2             4-1
Turnovers:           5               1
Penalties-yards:     7-75            9-62

Attendance: 55,031

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