NFL game summary for 09/24/1972:
The defensive units of both teams set up or scored all of the points in this game. Rams' cornerback Gene Howard opened the scoring with a 24-yard touchdown return of an interception. Dave Elmendorf and Mike LaHood recovered fumbles that preceded a pair of David Ray field goals. Chicago's Earl Thomas took a 30-yard TD pass from Bobby Douglass after Garry Lyle's interception, and Mac Percival's two FGs followed a fumble recovery by Ross Brupbacher and an interception by Charlie Ford. Roman Gabriel's streak of starting 89 straight games for Los Angeles was broken due to tendonitis in his right elbow.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 254.0 (1) | 139.0 (16) | 393.0 (2) | 1 |
| DEFENSE | 69.0 (5) | 218.0 (21) | 287.0 (10) | 2 | |
 | OFFENSE | 214.0 (4) | 69.0 (25) | 283.0 (18) | 3 |
| DEFENSE | 173.0 (18) | 146.0 (14) | 319.0 (17) | 2 |
Line: Rams by 11
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams (1-0-1) | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Chicago Bears (0-1-1) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 13 |
( 7- 0) LA Gene Howard 24 yard interception return (David Ray kick)
(10- 0) LA David Ray 20 yard field goal
(10- 3) CHI Mac Percival 19 yard field goal
(13- 3) LA David Ray 45 yard field goal
(13-10) CHI Earl Thomas 30 yard pass from Bobby Douglass (Mac Percival kick)
(13-13) CHI Mac Percival 45 yard field goal
LA CHI
First Downs: 8 11
Rushes-yards: 34-106 33-144
Yards/rush: 3.1 4.4
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 7-17-65-2 3-15-52-2
Sacked-yards: 0-0 4-26
Net pass yards: 65 26
Net yards/pass: 3.8 1.4
Total net yards: 171 170
Total plays: 51 (66% run) 52 (63% run)
Yards/play: 3.4 3.3
Fumbles-lost: 3-1 2-2
Turnovers: 3 4
Penalties-yards: 10-91 7-61
Attendance: 55,701
Passing:
LA: Pete Beathard, 6 of 12 for 46 yards (1 int); Roman Gabriel, 1 of 5 for 19 yards (1 int) CHI: Bobby Douglass, 3 of 15 for 52 yards and 1 TD (2 int)
Rushing:
LA: Larry Smith, 16 for 31 yards; Willie Ellison, 12 for 45 yards; Jim Bertelsen, 6 for 30 yards CHI: Jim Harrison, 16 for 46 yards; Bobby Douglass, 7 for 82 yards; Roger Lawson, 5 for 5 yards; Cyril Pinder, 4 for 6 yards; Don Shy, 1 for 5 yards
Receiving:
LA: Larry Smith, 3 for 28 yards; Willie Ellison, 3 for 15 yards; Jack Snow, 1 for 22 yards CHI: Earl Thomas, 2 for 45 yards and 1 TD; George Farmer, 1 for 7 yards
Kick returns:
LA: John Love, 3 for 65 yards; Al Clark, 1 for 21 yards CHI: Ron Smith, 4 for 110 yards
Punt returns:
LA: John Love, 4 for 22 yards CHI: Ron Smith, 1 for 7 yards; Craig Clemons, 1 for 5 yards
Interceptions:
LA: Gene Howard, 1 for 24 yards and 1 TD; Dave Elmendorf, 1 for 15 yards CHI: Charlie Ford, 1 for 33 yards; Garry Lyle, 1 for 17 yards
Punting:
LA: Dave Chapple, 5 for 248 yards CHI: Bobby Joe Green, 6 for 273 yards
Field Goals:
LA: David Ray, 2/4 CHI: Mac Percival, 2/3
LA: Pete Beathard, 6 of 12 for 46 yards (1 int); Roman Gabriel, 1 of 5 for 19 yards (1 int) CHI: Bobby Douglass, 3 of 15 for 52 yards and 1 TD (2 int)
Rushing:
LA: Larry Smith, 16 for 31 yards; Willie Ellison, 12 for 45 yards; Jim Bertelsen, 6 for 30 yards CHI: Jim Harrison, 16 for 46 yards; Bobby Douglass, 7 for 82 yards; Roger Lawson, 5 for 5 yards; Cyril Pinder, 4 for 6 yards; Don Shy, 1 for 5 yards
Receiving:
LA: Larry Smith, 3 for 28 yards; Willie Ellison, 3 for 15 yards; Jack Snow, 1 for 22 yards CHI: Earl Thomas, 2 for 45 yards and 1 TD; George Farmer, 1 for 7 yards
Kick returns:
LA: John Love, 3 for 65 yards; Al Clark, 1 for 21 yards CHI: Ron Smith, 4 for 110 yards
Punt returns:
LA: John Love, 4 for 22 yards CHI: Ron Smith, 1 for 7 yards; Craig Clemons, 1 for 5 yards
Interceptions:
LA: Gene Howard, 1 for 24 yards and 1 TD; Dave Elmendorf, 1 for 15 yards CHI: Charlie Ford, 1 for 33 yards; Garry Lyle, 1 for 17 yards
Punting:
LA: Dave Chapple, 5 for 248 yards CHI: Bobby Joe Green, 6 for 273 yards
Field Goals:
LA: David Ray, 2/4 CHI: Mac Percival, 2/3