1978 NFL Season
Leaders
Passing Yards: Hart (SLC) - 3,637...Zorn (SEA) - 3,550...Manning (NOR) - 3,513...Fouts (SDG) - 3,507...Tarkenton (MIN) - 3,465
Rushing Yards: Payton (CHI) - 1,717...Williams (MIA) - 1,497...Dorsett (DAL) - 1,287...Campbell (HOU) - 1,241...Bussey (DET) - 1,219
Receiving Yards: Tilley (SLC) - 1,226...Jefferson (SDG) - 1,204...Walker (NYJ) - 1,163...Largent (SEA) - 1,089...Curtis (CIN) - 971
Scoring: Thomas (CHI) - 129...Yepremian (MIA) - 125...Stenerud (KAN) - 122...Gerela (PIT) - 116...Corral (LAM) - 116
Interceptions: Buchanon (GNB) - 11...Perry (LAM) - 10...Harris (DAL) - 10...Clark (BUF) - 9...Darden (CLE) - 9
Sacks: Youngblood (LAM) - 16...Jones (DAL) - 16...Bethea (HOU) - 13...Greenwood (PIT) - 13...Baker (DET) - 13
Division Winners
AFC East - New York (12-4)
AFC Central - Pittsburgh (12-4)
AFC West - Oakland (11-5)
AFC Wildcard - Miami (10-6)
AFC Wildcard - New England (12-4)
NFC East - Dallas (13-3)
NFC Central - Green Bay (9-7)
NFC West - Los Angeles (12-4)
NFC Wildcard - Washington (9-7)
NFC Wildcard - New Orleans (9-7)
PLAYOFFS
Miami (6) at New England (21)
Washington (14) at New Orleans (21)
New England (35) at New York (30)
Oakland (10) at Pittsburgh (14)
New Orleans (19) at Dallas (17)
Green Bay (45) at Los Angeles (23)
Passing Yards: Hart (SLC) - 3,637...Zorn (SEA) - 3,550...Manning (NOR) - 3,513...Fouts (SDG) - 3,507...Tarkenton (MIN) - 3,465
Rushing Yards: Payton (CHI) - 1,717...Williams (MIA) - 1,497...Dorsett (DAL) - 1,287...Campbell (HOU) - 1,241...Bussey (DET) - 1,219
Receiving Yards: Tilley (SLC) - 1,226...Jefferson (SDG) - 1,204...Walker (NYJ) - 1,163...Largent (SEA) - 1,089...Curtis (CIN) - 971
Scoring: Thomas (CHI) - 129...Yepremian (MIA) - 125...Stenerud (KAN) - 122...Gerela (PIT) - 116...Corral (LAM) - 116
Interceptions: Buchanon (GNB) - 11...Perry (LAM) - 10...Harris (DAL) - 10...Clark (BUF) - 9...Darden (CLE) - 9
Sacks: Youngblood (LAM) - 16...Jones (DAL) - 16...Bethea (HOU) - 13...Greenwood (PIT) - 13...Baker (DET) - 13
Division Winners
AFC East - New York (12-4)
AFC Central - Pittsburgh (12-4)
AFC West - Oakland (11-5)
AFC Wildcard - Miami (10-6)
AFC Wildcard - New England (12-4)
NFC East - Dallas (13-3)
NFC Central - Green Bay (9-7)
NFC West - Los Angeles (12-4)
NFC Wildcard - Washington (9-7)
NFC Wildcard - New Orleans (9-7)
PLAYOFFS
Miami (6) at New England (21)
Washington (14) at New Orleans (21)
New England (35) at New York (30)
Oakland (10) at Pittsburgh (14)
New Orleans (19) at Dallas (17)
Green Bay (45) at Los Angeles (23)
AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers
January 7th, 1979 at Three Rivers Stadium...Temp 21, Cloudy, Wind 24 mph (slight crosswind)
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots are both making their first appearance in the AFC Championship game. It was the Steelers defense that ruled the day leading Pittsburgh to a 26-7 victory.
The Steelers defense completely dominated the game. They only allowed one Patriot drive to be longer than three plays! Even that drive, for all of ten plays, only gained 39 yards before punting. All of their 11 other drives were either three plays (8) or one play turnovers (3). The Patriot offense gained a total of 68 net yards for the game. Pittsburgh got two field goal from Roy Gerela in the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead into the second quarter. It stayed that way until just before halftime when Terry Bradshaw tossed a 10 yard TD pass to Lynn Swann making it 13-0 at the half. Another Gerela field goal made it 16-0. With just over three minutes to play in the quarter, it was the Patriots Defense that made a play to get their only points of the game. Mike Haynes intercepted Bradshaw and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown. The Patriots didn't get to celebrate the score for long as on the ensuing kick off, Larry Anderson went 96 yards for touchdown pumping the lead back up to 23-7. The Steelers would add another Gerela field goal in the fourth quarter, making the final 26-7. MVP: Larry Anderson (KR\CB) Pittsburgh, Returns 116 yds, TD For New England, Steve Grogan 24 yds rushing, 5/11, 33 yds, 3 SK, INT...Sam Cunningham 20 yds receiving...Sam Hunt 15 TKLS...Mike Haynes 14 TKLS, INT, TD. For Pittsburgh, Franco Harris 115 yds rushing...Terry Bradshaw 18/26, 167 yds, TD, INT...Lynn Swann 71 yds receiving, TD. |
NFC Championship - New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers
January 7th at Lambeau Field...Temp 16, Clear Skies, Wind 8 mph (Slight Crosswind)
Two newcomers to the NFC Championship game the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers, got together and put on a whale of game with the winner heading off to Super Bowl XIII.
The Packers took the opening kick and marched down the field to paydirt on a three yard David Whitehurst to James Lofton TD pass. The Saints came right back and went down the field, tying the game on a one yard sneak by Archie Manning. The game was tied 7-7 after one quarter. Midway through the second quarter the Saints Steve Mike-Mayer missed a 38 yard field goal. Green Bay took over and regained the lead on a 32 yard pass from Whitehurst to Aundra Thompson. The Saints went three and out and the Packers drove down to the Saints 18 yard line with just over a minute left in the half. Chester Marcol kicked a 35 yard field goal and the Packers were up 17-7. The Saints took over and on the first play Manning was intercepted by Estus Hood at the Saints 29 yard line. The Packers reached the four yard line before having to cal on Marcol for another field goal, but he missed the chip shot and at the half, Green Bay kept their 17-7 lead. The Saints, maybe feeling lucky to only be down 10 points, took the opening kick for the second half and went right down the field. Chuck Muncie ends the drive with a 12 yd run and it's now a 17-14 game. Later in the quarter, the Packers had the ball at their own 16 yard line. Terdell Middleton fumbled and Elois Grooms recovered the ball and ran it down to the 12 yard line. On the vey next play Muncie scored on another 12 yard run giving the Saints their first lead of the game at 21-17. The third quater would end with Green Bay driving and set up with a first and ten from the Saints 26 yard line. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Whitehurst and Lofton hooked up again putting the Packers up 24-21. Then things got even worse for New Orleans. On their first play of the next drive, Manning scrambled and fumbled the ball. Dave Roller recovered for the Packers at the Saints 34 yard line. On the very next play, Whitehurst and Lofton struck for the 3rd time in the game. A 34 yard scoring strike extends the Packers lead to 31-21. The teams exchanged punts and then the Saints were in business driving down to the Packers 10 yard line with just over seven minutes left in the game. But on first and goal, Chuck Muncie fumbled and Mike Hunt recovered for the Packers to end the threat. The Packers chewed up about four minutes of time before punting back to New Orleans. With just over a minute left in the game, Manning threw a TD pass to Ike Harris making the score 31-28. The fans in Green Bay were now nervous as the Saints lined up for an onside kick. Lambeau exhaled as the Packers recovered and ran out the clock. Green Bay wins 31-28. MVP: David Whitehurst QB (Green Bay), Passing: 249 yds, 4 TD, 127 Rating. For New Orleans, Chuck Muncie 74 yds rushing, 2 TD, FMB, ...Archie Manning 22/32, 201 yds, Sk, TD, 2 INT, FMB...Ike Harris 64 yds receiving, TD. For Green Bay, Terdell Middleton 53 yds rushing...David Whitehurst 16/23, 249 yds, 4 TD, INT...Aundra Thompson 150 yds receiving, TD...James Lofton 85 yds receiving, 3 TD...Willie Buchanon 16 TKLS, INT. |
Super Bowl XIII - Pittsburgh Steelers v Green Bay Packers
January 14th, 1979 at The Orange Bowl...Temp 71, Partly Cloudy, Wind 11 mph (Slight Crosswind)
The Orange Bowl in Miami plays host toe Super Bowl XIII. Green Bay continues their improbable season attempting to upset the favored Pittsburgh Steelers.
Continuing a theme that was established in the AFC Championship game, it was the Steelers defense that ruled the day. The Steel Curtain forces five turnovers and doesn't allow any points until they already had a 30-0 lead. The Steelers crush the Packers 30-7 to win Super Bowl XIII. It took Pittsburgh just over two minutes to strike first. Terry Bradshaw connected with John Stallworth on a 69 yard TD pass to make it 7-0. Green Bay punted and the Steelers drove into Green Bay territory but John Anderson picked off Bradshaw at the Packers 12 yard line to derail the the threat. After another Packers punt, again Bradshaw was picked off. Mike Hunt did the honors this time and it was looking like Bradshaw was ruining their chances. However, the Steeler defense stepped up and caused their own turnover. Ron Johnson intercepted David Whitehurst to get the ball back for Pittsburgh. This time the Steelers offense cashed in with a 35 yd field goal by Roy Gerela. After one quarter, Pittsburgh had a 10-0 lead. In the second quarter, Whitehurst was picked off by Jack Ham. Ham's return set up the Steelers at the Packers 16 yard line. On the very next play Bradshaw hit Stallworth for a touchdown for the second time in the game. 17-0 Steelers. Later in the quarter the Steelers intercepted Whitehurst for the 3rd time as Mel Blount did the honors. He actually returned the interception for a touchdown, but it was called back due to an illegal block during the return. Gerela ended up kicking a field goal and it was 20-0. Gerela would kick another field goal before halftime making it 23-0 Pittsburgh at the half. The only scoring chance in the third quarter was a field goal attempt by Gerela, but his 24 yard try sailed wide to the left. In the fourth quarter, Franco Harris ripped off a 32 yard TD run making the score 30-0. The Packers followed that with their only points of the day. Bobby Douglass came into the game and hit James Lofton for a 58 yard TD pass. That would be the last of the scoring. Pittsburgh wins Super Bowl XIII 30-7 over Green Bay. MVP: John Stallworth WR (Pittsburgh), Receiving: 4 catches, 112yds, 2 TD. For Green Bay, Barty Smith 43 yards rushing, FMB...David Whitehurst 4/19, 59 yds, 3 INT...Bobby Douglass 5/16, 95 yds, TD...James Lofton 75 yds receiving, TD. For Pittsburgh, Franco Harris 87 yds rushing, TD...Terry Bradshaw 18/32, 249 yds, SK, 2 TD, 2 INT...John Stallworth 112 yds receiving, 2 TD...Jack Ham INT, HUR, STF, FF |
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