NFL game summary for 12/04/1978:
The Chargers scored on their first three possessions and built a 23-0 halftime lead. Rookie John Jefferson's 42-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter gave him nine scoring catches for the season, the most by a Chargers' receiver in seven years.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 161.7 (4) | 133.7 (23) | 295.4 (16) | 29 |
| DEFENSE | 140.1 (13) | 147.0 (8) | 287.1 (10) | 24 | |
 | OFFENSE | 130.9 (20) | 183.8 (6) | 314.8 (6) | 44 |
| DEFENSE | 144.2 (16) | 158.7 (15) | 302.9 (16) | 29 |
Line: Chargers by 6
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears (5-9-0) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| San Diego Chargers (7-7-0) | 17 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 40 |
( 0- 3) SD Rolf Benirschke 32 yard field goal
( 0-10) SD Lydell Mitchell 1 yard rush (Rolf Benirschke kick)
( 0-17) SD Larry Burton 16 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick)
( 0-23) SD John Jefferson 42 yard pass from Dan Fouts (kick failed)
( 0-26) SD Rolf Benirschke 44 yard field goal
( 0-33) SD Hank Bauer 37 yard rush (Rolf Benirschke kick)
( 7-33) CHI Virgil Livers 60 yard interception return (Bob Thomas kick)
( 7-40) SD Larry Burton 34 yard pass from James Harris (Rolf Benirschke kick)
CHI SD
First Downs: 7 24
Rushes-yards: 27-80 43-150
Yards/rush: 3.0 3.5
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 5-17-72-2 19-30-332-3
Sacked-yards: 5-40 1-1
Net pass yards: 32 331
Net yards/pass: 1.5 10.7
Total net yards: 112 481
Total plays: 49 (55% run) 74 (58% run)
Yards/play: 2.3 6.5
Fumbles-lost: 2-1 1-0
Turnovers: 3 3
Penalties-yards: 3-25 3-15
Attendance: 48,492
Passing:
CHI: Bob Avellini, 2 of 12 for 25 yards (1 int); Mike Phipps, 2 of 3 for 9 yards; Vince Evans, 1 of 2 for 38 yards (1 int) SD: Dan Fouts, 16 of 24 for 269 yards and 2 TDs (2 int); James Harris, 3 of 5 for 63 yards and 1 TD (1 int); Cliff Olander, 0 of 1 for 0 yards
Rushing:
CHI: Walter Payton, 17 for 50 yards; Roland Harper, 7 for 16 yards; Mike Phipps, 2 for 11 yards; Vince Evans, 1 for 3 yards SD: Lydell Mitchell, 16 for 36 yards and 1 TD; Don Woods, 12 for 50 yards; Clarence Williams, 9 for 28 yards; Hank Bauer, 5 for 39 yards and 1 TD; Cliff Olander, 1 for -3 yards
Receiving:
CHI: James Scott, 2 for 58 yards; Walter Payton, 2 for 9 yards; Roland Harper, 1 for 5 yards SD: John Jefferson, 7 for 155 yards and 1 TD; Larry Burton, 3 for 59 yards and 2 TDs; Don Woods, 3 for 41 yards; Pat Curran, 3 for 41 yards; Lydell Mitchell, 2 for 19 yards; Clarence Williams, 1 for 17 yards
Kick returns:
CHI: Brian Baschnagel, 7 for 157 yards SD: Clarence Williams, 2 for 37 yards
Punt returns:
CHI: Steve Schubert, 2 for 6 yards SD: Pete Shaw, 1 for 4 yards; Mike Fuller, 1 for 1 yard
Interceptions:
CHI: Virgil Livers, 1 for 60 yards and 1 TD; Gary Fencik, 1 for 7 yards; Doug Buffone, 1 for 0 yards SD: Rick Middleton, 1 for 2 yards; Mike Williams, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
CHI: Bob Parsons, 9 for 304 yards SD: Jeff West, 4 for 133 yards
Field Goals:
SD: Rolf Benirschke, 2/2
CHI: Bob Avellini, 2 of 12 for 25 yards (1 int); Mike Phipps, 2 of 3 for 9 yards; Vince Evans, 1 of 2 for 38 yards (1 int) SD: Dan Fouts, 16 of 24 for 269 yards and 2 TDs (2 int); James Harris, 3 of 5 for 63 yards and 1 TD (1 int); Cliff Olander, 0 of 1 for 0 yards
Rushing:
CHI: Walter Payton, 17 for 50 yards; Roland Harper, 7 for 16 yards; Mike Phipps, 2 for 11 yards; Vince Evans, 1 for 3 yards SD: Lydell Mitchell, 16 for 36 yards and 1 TD; Don Woods, 12 for 50 yards; Clarence Williams, 9 for 28 yards; Hank Bauer, 5 for 39 yards and 1 TD; Cliff Olander, 1 for -3 yards
Receiving:
CHI: James Scott, 2 for 58 yards; Walter Payton, 2 for 9 yards; Roland Harper, 1 for 5 yards SD: John Jefferson, 7 for 155 yards and 1 TD; Larry Burton, 3 for 59 yards and 2 TDs; Don Woods, 3 for 41 yards; Pat Curran, 3 for 41 yards; Lydell Mitchell, 2 for 19 yards; Clarence Williams, 1 for 17 yards
Kick returns:
CHI: Brian Baschnagel, 7 for 157 yards SD: Clarence Williams, 2 for 37 yards
Punt returns:
CHI: Steve Schubert, 2 for 6 yards SD: Pete Shaw, 1 for 4 yards; Mike Fuller, 1 for 1 yard
Interceptions:
CHI: Virgil Livers, 1 for 60 yards and 1 TD; Gary Fencik, 1 for 7 yards; Doug Buffone, 1 for 0 yards SD: Rick Middleton, 1 for 2 yards; Mike Williams, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
CHI: Bob Parsons, 9 for 304 yards SD: Jeff West, 4 for 133 yards
Field Goals:
SD: Rolf Benirschke, 2/2