NFL game summary for 10/29/1978:
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):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 New York Jets | OFFENSE | 163.6 (6) | 152.9 (12) | 316.5 (8) | 11 |
| DEFENSE | 156.0 (20) | 183.6 (24) | 339.6 (27) | 20 | |
 New England Patriots | OFFENSE | 188.8 (2) | 184.2 (6) | 373.0 (1) | 24 |
| DEFENSE | 108.6 (2) | 184.0 (25) | 292.6 (13) | 24 |
Line: Patriots by 9
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Jets (5-4-0) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
| New England Patriots (7-2-0) | 21 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 55 |
( 0- 7) NE Harold Jackson 11 yard pass from Steve Grogan (David Posey kick) ( 0-14) NE Stanley Morgan 30 yard pass from Steve Grogan (David Posey kick) ( 0-21) NE Horace Ivory 7 yard rush (David Posey kick) ( 7-21) NYJ Bruce Harper 1 yard rush (Pat Leahy kick) ( 7-28) NE Horace Ivory 9 yard rush (David Posey kick) ( 7-34) NE Harold Jackson 28 yard pass from Steve Grogan (kick failed) ( 7-41) NE Russ Francis 11 yard pass from Steve Grogan (David Posey kick) ( 7-48) NE James McAlister 1 yard rush (David Posey kick) (14-48) NYJ Tom Newton 2 yard rush (Pat Leahy kick) (14-55) NE James McAlister 1 yard rush (David Posey kick) (21-55) NYJ Tom Newton 3 yard rush (Pat Leahy kick)
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
Passing:NYJ: Matt Robinson, 8 of 20 for 72 yards; Pat Ryan, 9 of 13 for 106 yards (2 int)
NE: Steve Grogan, 15 of 19 for 281 yards and 4 TDs; Tom Owen, 1 of 2 for 15 yards
Rushing:
NYJ: Scott Dierking, 10 for 31 yards; Kevin Long, 7 for 10 yards; Tom Newton, 5 for 23 yards and 2 TDs; Bruce Harper, 4 for 32 yards and 1 TD; Clark Gaines, 1 for 8 yards
NE: Don Calhoun, 10 for 89 yards; Sam Cunningham, 10 for 45 yards; James McAlister, 7 for 28 yards and 2 TDs; Horace Ivory, 7 for 19 yards and 2 TDs; Steve Grogan, 3 for 32 yards; Andy Johnson, 3 for 15 yards; Mosi Tatupu, 2 for 5 yards; Harold Jackson, 1 for 7 yards
Receiving:
NYJ: Tom Newton, 5 for 48 yards; Bruce Harper, 3 for 36 yards; Jerome Barkum, 2 for 31 yards; Mickey Shuler, 2 for 24 yards; Bobby Jones, 1 for 18 yards; Kevin Long, 1 for 11 yards; Wesley Walker, 1 for 7 yards; Derrick Gaffney, 1 for 5 yards; John Roman, 1 for -2 yards
NE: Harold Jackson, 5 for 118 yards and 2 TDs; Russ Francis, 4 for 33 yards and 1 TD; Stanley Morgan, 3 for 66 yards and 1 TD; Sam Cunningham, 2 for 61 yards; Horace Ivory, 1 for 9 yards; Andy Johnson, 1 for 9 yards
Kick returns:
NYJ: Bruce Harper, 8 for 180 yards; Kevin Bell, 1 for 50 yards
NE: James McAlister, 2 for 58 yards
Punt returns:
NYJ: Bruce Harper, 1 for 17 yards
NE: Stanley Morgan, 2 for 59 yards; Mike Haynes, 1 for 6 yards
Interceptions:
NE: Mike Haynes, 1 for 50 yards; Raymond Clayborn, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
NYJ: Chuck Ramsey, 4 for 168 yards
NE: Jerrel Wilson, 1 for 31 yards
Field Goals: