NFL game summary for 12/03/1978:
Scott Perry and Dick Jauron each returned interceptions for touchdowns as Cincinnati ended a four-game losing streak. The interceptions came during an eight-minute span of the third quarter and stretched the Bengals' lead to 23-7. Fourth quarter touchdown runs of 50 yards by Pete Johnson and 32 yards by Tony Davis secured the Bengals' victory. Cincinnati's defense intercepted three passes. Archie Griffin led all rushers with 87 yards on 16 carries.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 109.5 (27) | 146.2 (18) | 255.7 (26) | 32 |
| DEFENSE | 124.5 (7) | 131.8 (3) | 256.4 (3) | 33 | |
 | OFFENSE | 115.5 (25) | 165.3 (12) | 280.8 (21) | 44 |
| DEFENSE | 150.4 (18) | 135.4 (4) | 285.8 (11) | 25 |
Line: Bengals by 1½
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons (8-6-0) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Cincinnati Bengals (2-12-0) | 3 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 37 |
( 0- 3) CIN Chris Bahr 32 yard field goal ( 7- 3) ATL Ricky Patton 1 yard rush (Tim Mazzetti kick) ( 7-10) CIN Pete Johnson 3 yard rush (Chris Bahr kick) ( 7-16) CIN Scott Perry 39 yard interception return (kick failed) ( 7-23) CIN Dick Jauron 24 yard interception return (Chris Bahr kick) ( 7-30) CIN Pete Johnson 50 yard rush (Chris Bahr kick) ( 7-37) CIN Tony Davis 32 yard rush (Chris Bahr kick)
ATL CIN
First Downs: 10 20
Rushes-yards: 22-83 38-223
Yards/rush: 3.8 5.9
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 10-29-126-3 14-30-153-0
Sacked-yards: 4-35 2-16
Net pass yards: 91 137
Net yards/pass: 2.8 4.3
Total net yards: 174 360
Total plays: 55 (40% run) 70 (54% run)
Yards/play: 3.2 5.1
Fumbles-lost: 0-0 2-0
Turnovers: 3 0
Penalties-yards: 8-85 8-68
Attendance: 25,336
Passing:
ATL: Steve Bartkowski, 9 of 25 for 124 yards (3 int); June Jones, 1 of 4 for 2 yards CIN: Ken Anderson, 7 of 17 for 77 yards; John Reaves, 6 of 12 for 58 yards; Archie Griffin, 1 of 1 for 18 yards
Rushing:
ATL: Bubba Bean, 15 for 71 yards; Ricky Patton, 6 for 11 yards and 1 TD; Haskel Stanback, 1 for 1 yard CIN: Archie Griffin, 16 for 87 yards; Pete Johnson, 9 for 74 yards and 2 TDs; Tony Davis, 5 for 21 yards and 1 TD; Lenvil Elliott, 3 for 16 yards; Ken Anderson, 2 for 5 yards; Tom Dinkel, 1 for 20 yards; Deacon Turner, 1 for 4 yards; Don Bass, 1 for -4 yards
Receiving:
ATL: Wallace Francis, 3 for 23 yards; Alfred Jackson, 2 for 70 yards; Ricky Patton, 1 for 16 yards; Dennis Pearson, 1 for 7 yards; Billy Ryckman, 1 for 6 yards; Bubba Bean, 1 for 2 yards; Ray Strong, 1 for 2 yards CIN: Pat McInally, 4 for 32 yards; Don Bass, 3 for 40 yards; Billy Brooks, 2 for 40 yards; Archie Griffin, 2 for 10 yards; Jim Corbett, 1 for 18 yards; Isaac Curtis, 1 for 15 yards; Pete Johnson, 1 for -2 yards
Kick returns:
ATL: Dennis Pearson, 3 for 67 yards; George Franklin, 1 for 22 yards CIN: Ray Griffin, 1 for 39 yards
Punt returns:
ATL: Rolland Lawrence, 1 for 17 yards CIN: Tony Davis, 5 for 23 yards
Interceptions:
CIN: Scott Perry, 1 for 39 yards and 1 TD; Dick Jauron, 1 for 24 yards and 1 TD; Eddie Edwards, 1 for 2 yards
Punting:
ATL: John James, 8 for 372 yards CIN: Pat McInally, 4 for 194 yards; Chris Bahr, 1 for 41 yards
Field Goals:
CIN: Chris Bahr, 1/2
ATL: Steve Bartkowski, 9 of 25 for 124 yards (3 int); June Jones, 1 of 4 for 2 yards CIN: Ken Anderson, 7 of 17 for 77 yards; John Reaves, 6 of 12 for 58 yards; Archie Griffin, 1 of 1 for 18 yards
Rushing:
ATL: Bubba Bean, 15 for 71 yards; Ricky Patton, 6 for 11 yards and 1 TD; Haskel Stanback, 1 for 1 yard CIN: Archie Griffin, 16 for 87 yards; Pete Johnson, 9 for 74 yards and 2 TDs; Tony Davis, 5 for 21 yards and 1 TD; Lenvil Elliott, 3 for 16 yards; Ken Anderson, 2 for 5 yards; Tom Dinkel, 1 for 20 yards; Deacon Turner, 1 for 4 yards; Don Bass, 1 for -4 yards
Receiving:
ATL: Wallace Francis, 3 for 23 yards; Alfred Jackson, 2 for 70 yards; Ricky Patton, 1 for 16 yards; Dennis Pearson, 1 for 7 yards; Billy Ryckman, 1 for 6 yards; Bubba Bean, 1 for 2 yards; Ray Strong, 1 for 2 yards CIN: Pat McInally, 4 for 32 yards; Don Bass, 3 for 40 yards; Billy Brooks, 2 for 40 yards; Archie Griffin, 2 for 10 yards; Jim Corbett, 1 for 18 yards; Isaac Curtis, 1 for 15 yards; Pete Johnson, 1 for -2 yards
Kick returns:
ATL: Dennis Pearson, 3 for 67 yards; George Franklin, 1 for 22 yards CIN: Ray Griffin, 1 for 39 yards
Punt returns:
ATL: Rolland Lawrence, 1 for 17 yards CIN: Tony Davis, 5 for 23 yards
Interceptions:
CIN: Scott Perry, 1 for 39 yards and 1 TD; Dick Jauron, 1 for 24 yards and 1 TD; Eddie Edwards, 1 for 2 yards
Punting:
ATL: John James, 8 for 372 yards CIN: Pat McInally, 4 for 194 yards; Chris Bahr, 1 for 41 yards
Field Goals:
CIN: Chris Bahr, 1/2