All NFL game summaries for 10/06/1974:

Bears' quarterback Gary Huff ran for one touchdown and passed 39 yards to Bo Rather for another to even Chicago's record at 2-2. Rookie Ken Grandberry scored on an 11-yard run and rushed for 76 yards to pace the Bears' attack. The defense limited New Orleans to 168 yards and sacked the Saints' passer four times.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Bears by 3

( 0- 7) CHI Ken Grandberry 11 yard rush (Mirro Roder kick)
( 7- 7) NO  Alvin Maxson 8 yard pass from Archie Manning (Bill McClard kick)
( 7-14) CHI Gary Huff 1 yard rush (Mirro Roder kick)
( 7-17) CHI Mirro Roder 30 yard field goal
(10-17) NO  Bill McClard 21 yard field goal
(10-24) CHI Bo Rather 39 yard pass from Gary Huff (Mirro Roder kick)

                     NO              CHI
First Downs:         14              18
Rushes-yards:        28-70           36-131
Yards/rush:          2.5             3.6
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     15-26-115-0     12-25-146-1
Sacked-yards:        4-17            2-29
Net pass yards:      98              117
Net yards/pass:      3.3             4.3
Total net yards:     168             248
Total plays:         58 (48% run)    63 (57% run)  
Yards/play:          2.9             3.9
Fumbles-lost:        1-0             3-1
Turnovers:           0               2
Penalties-yards:     7-46            5-33

Attendance: 45,818

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Lemar Parrish scored on a 90-yard punt return and a 47-yard run after recovering Larry Smith's fumble as the Bengals defeated Washington for the first time. Parrish's punt return, which was the longest of the season in the AFC, and a scoring strike from Ken Anderson to Isaac Curtis put the home club out front to stay in the interconference test. Sonny Jurgensen took over for Billy Kilmer in the last quarter and threw two touchdown passes to Moses Denson and Jerry Smith. QB Anderson led the Cincinnati rushers with 70 yards on seven carries. Tommy Casanova's 38-yard punt return set up the final Bengal score.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Bengals by 5

( 0- 7) CIN Lemar Parrish 90 yard punt return (Horst Muhlmann kick)
( 0-14) CIN Isaac Curtis 24 yard pass from Ken Anderson (Horst Muhlmann kick)
( 3-14) WAS Mark Moseley 31 yard field goal
( 3-21) CIN Lemar Parrish 47 yard fumble return (Horst Muhlmann kick)
( 3-28) CIN Boobie Clark 3 yard rush (Horst Muhlmann kick)
(10-28) WAS Moses Denson 4 yard pass from Sonny Jurgensen (Mark Moseley kick)
(17-28) WAS Jerry Smith 22 yard pass from Sonny Jurgensen (Mark Moseley kick)

                     WAS             CIN
First Downs:         24              14
Rushes-yards:        34-110          30-99
Yards/rush:          3.2             3.3
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     24-41-252-0     12-18-142-0
Sacked-yards:        3-25            1-10
Net pass yards:      227             132
Net yards/pass:      5.2             6.9
Total net yards:     337             231
Total plays:         78 (43% run)    49 (61% run)  
Yards/play:          4.3             4.7
Fumbles-lost:        1-1             2-1
Turnovers:           1               1
Penalties-yards:     4-29            5-43

Attendance: 56,175

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Ken Stabler fired scoring passes to Fred Biletnikoff, Clarence Davis, and Cliff Branch as the Raiders came back from an early 10-0 deficit. Charlie Hall's 29-yard interception return and a Don Cockroft FG got the Browns off to their quick lead before the Raiders' balanced attack began to function. Davis carried 18 times for 116 yards and a touchdown in addition to his four receptions for 82 yards and a score. George Atkinson had three of the five Oakland interceptions against Mike Phipps and his backup Brian Sipe.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Raiders by 13

( 0- 7) CLE Charlie Hall 29 yard interception return (Don Cockroft kick)
( 0-10) CLE Don Cockroft 46 yard field goal
( 7-10) OAK Fred Biletnikoff 11 yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick)
( 7-17) CLE Greg Pruitt 34 yard pass from Mike Phipps (Don Cockroft kick)
(14-17) OAK Clarence Davis 45 yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick)
(16-17) OAK Safety, Ken Brown tackled in end zone by Otis Sistrunk
(23-17) OAK Pete Banaszak 3 yard rush (George Blanda kick)
(30-17) OAK Cliff Branch 10 yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick)
(37-17) OAK Clarence Davis 1 yard rush (George Blanda kick)
(37-24) CLE Hugh McKinnis 44 yard rush (Don Cockroft kick)
(40-24) OAK George Blanda 30 yard field goal

                     OAK             CLE
First Downs:         31              14
Rushes-yards:        49-222          22-124
Yards/rush:          4.5             5.6
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     20-37-250-4     10-21-149-5
Sacked-yards:        4-27            3-29
Net pass yards:      223             120
Net yards/pass:      5.4             5.0
Total net yards:     445             244
Total plays:         90 (54% run)    46 (47% run)  
Yards/play:          4.9             5.3
Fumbles-lost:        2-0             4-1
Turnovers:           4               6
Penalties-yards:     7-61            6-43

Attendance: 65,247

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Minnesota won its fourth straight game on Fred Cox's 27-yard field goal with one second remaining. Minnesota had fallen behind 21-20, with 2:26 remaining, when Fran Tarkenton directed a drive from the Vikings' 22 to set up the Cox field goal -- his third of the game and 236th of his career. Cox replaced Lou Groza as runner-up to George Blanda, who has kicked the most field goals in NFL history. Chuck Foreman scored twice for Minnesota on passes from Tarkenton that covered 66 and 13 yards, while catching five for 131 yards and rushing for 72.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Vikings by 1

( 0- 7) DAL Golden Richards 58 yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efren Herrera kick)
( 3- 7) MIN Fred Cox 46 yard field goal
(10- 7) MIN Chuck Foreman 66 yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick)
(13- 7) MIN Fred Cox 30 yard field goal
(20- 7) MIN Chuck Foreman 13 yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick)
(20-14) DAL Walt Garrison 5 yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efren Herrera kick)
(20-21) DAL Calvin Hill 6 yard rush (Efren Herrera kick)
(23-21) MIN Fred Cox 27 yard field goal

                     MIN             DAL
First Downs:         18              16
Rushes-yards:        35-111          32-144
Yards/rush:          3.2             4.5
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     17-27-283-0     9-20-144-4
Sacked-yards:        2-18            2-15
Net pass yards:      265             129
Net yards/pass:      9.1             5.9
Total net yards:     376             273
Total plays:         64 (54% run)    54 (59% run)  
Yards/play:          5.9             5.1
Fumbles-lost:        3-0             1-0
Turnovers:           0               4
Penalties-yards:     4-55            3-20

Attendance: 57,847

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Bills' quarterback Joe Ferguson completed 13 of 16 passes for 175 yards and a nine-yard touchdown to Ahmad Rashad, who caught seven for 79 yards. Jim Braxton scored Buffalo's other three touchdowns on two runs from the 1 and another from the 2.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Bills by 3

( 7- 0) BUF Ahmad Rashad 9 yard pass from Joe Ferguson (John Leypoldt kick)
(13- 0) BUF Jim Braxton 1 yard rush (kick failed)
(20- 0) BUF Jim Braxton 1 yard rush (John Leypoldt kick)
(20- 7) GB  MacArthur Lane 3 yard rush (Chester Marcol kick)
(27- 7) BUF Jim Braxton 2 yard rush (John Leypoldt kick)

                     BUF             GB
First Downs:         22              18
Rushes-yards:        41-148          25-100
Yards/rush:          3.6             4.0
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     13-16-175-1     17-31-141-2
Sacked-yards:        2-18            1-10
Net pass yards:      157             131
Net yards/pass:      8.7             4.1
Total net yards:     305             231
Total plays:         59 (69% run)    57 (43% run)  
Yards/play:          5.2             4.1
Fumbles-lost:        1-1             1-1
Turnovers:           2               3
Penalties-yards:     10-73           7-51

Attendance: 51,919

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Preston Pearson came off the bench and ran for 117 yards in 15 carries, scoring the winning touchdown after Roy Gerela kicked two field goals. Billy Johnson, Houston's quick little rookie from Widener, raced 47 yards for a score on an end-around play. The Oilers lost scoring chances on penalties, two fumbles, and an interception. Joe Gilliam passed for 202 yards but was intercepted twice by safety Tom Maxwell.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Steelers by 15

( 0- 7) HOU Billy Johnson 47 yard rush (Skip Butler kick)
( 3- 7) PIT Roy Gerela 37 yard field goal
( 6- 7) PIT Roy Gerela 27 yard field goal
(13- 7) PIT Preston Pearson 9 yard rush (Roy Gerela kick)

                     PIT             HOU
First Downs:         18              10
Rushes-yards:        38-184          24-119
Yards/rush:          4.8             5.0
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     16-32-202-2     12-23-148-1
Sacked-yards:        0-0             3-27
Net pass yards:      202             121
Net yards/pass:      6.3             4.7
Total net yards:     386             240
Total plays:         70 (54% run)    50 (48% run)  
Yards/play:          5.5             4.8
Fumbles-lost:        1-1             3-2
Turnovers:           3               3
Penalties-yards:     7-53            7-50

Attendance: 30,049

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Calvin Jones' interception set up the second and winning touchdown by rookie Jon Keyworth for the Broncos' first victory ever on the road against the Chiefs. QB Steve Ramsey came off the bench to replace the injured Charley Johnson and inject new life into the Denver offense. Kansas City led 14-10 going into the last quarter with the help of a 28-yard TD run by linebacker Bobby Bell, the Chiefs' fourth score on an interception in four games.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Broncos by 2

( 3- 0) DEN Jim Turner 41 yard field goal
( 3- 7) KC  Willie Ellison 1 yard rush (Jan Stenerud kick)
( 3-14) KC  Bobby Bell 28 yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick)
(10-14) DEN Jon Keyworth 2 yard rush (Jim Turner kick)
(17-14) DEN Jon Keyworth 3 yard rush (Jim Turner kick)

                     DEN             KC
First Downs:         13              11
Rushes-yards:        48-131          38-89
Yards/rush:          2.7             2.3
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     5-16-97-2       10-19-97-1
Sacked-yards:        2-7             2-16
Net pass yards:      90              81
Net yards/pass:      5.0             3.9
Total net yards:     221             170
Total plays:         66 (72% run)    59 (64% run)  
Yards/play:          3.3             2.9
Fumbles-lost:        0-0             2-1
Turnovers:           2               2
Penalties-yards:     8-84            7-46

Attendance: 67,298

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Lawrence McCutcheon rushed for 124 yards to lift his NFC-leading total to 345 and caught five passes for another 43 to pace the Rams' attack. Los Angeles assumed a 16-0 lead after three periods on touchdowns by tight end Bob Klein on a four-yard pass from John Hadl and Tony Baker's two-yard plunge, plus David Ray's 20-yard field goal. Bill Munson completed touchdown passes of 34 yards to Ron Jessie, who caught six passes for 149 yards, and one yard to Charlie Sanders for Detroit in the final period.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Rams by 15

( 0- 7) LA  Bob Klein 4 yard pass from John Hadl (David Ray kick)
( 0-10) LA  David Ray 20 yard field goal
( 0-16) LA  Tony Baker 2 yard rush (kick failed)
( 7-16) DET Ron Jessie 34 yard pass from Bill Munson (Errol Mann kick)
(13-16) DET Charlie Sanders 1 yard pass from Bill Munson (kick failed)

                     DET             LA
First Downs:         17              26
Rushes-yards:        24-65           47-207
Yards/rush:          2.7             4.4
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     18-28-248-1     14-24-133-0
Sacked-yards:        3-22            1-6
Net pass yards:      226             127
Net yards/pass:      7.3             5.1
Total net yards:     291             334
Total plays:         55 (43% run)    72 (65% run)  
Yards/play:          5.3             4.6
Fumbles-lost:        1-0             1-1
Turnovers:           1               1
Penalties-yards:     2-25            4-64

Attendance: 56,599

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Jim Plunkett threw three touchdown passes and never was sacked as the Patriots won their fourth straight over winless Baltimore, spoiling the head coaching debut of Joe Thomas. Reggie Rucker caught three for 92 yards and two touchdowns but also suffered a broken wrist. Mack Herron was the top rusher with 13 carries for 59 yards and added 29 on a kickoff return and 79 on punt returns while taking over the AFC lead in the latter category. Bert Jones, advanced to a starting role, passed for 215 yards for the Colts but was sacked five times. The 42 points were the most for New England since 1965.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Patriots by 14

( 0- 7) NE  Reggie Rucker 69 yard pass from Jim Plunkett (John Smith kick)
( 0-14) NE  Darryl Stingley 23 yard rush (John Smith kick)
( 0-21) NE  Mack Herron 5 yard rush (John Smith kick)
( 3-21) BAL Toni Linhart 27 yard field goal
( 3-28) NE  Sam Cunningham 4 yard pass from Jim Plunkett (John Smith kick)
( 3-35) NE  Reggie Rucker 16 yard pass from Jim Plunkett (John Smith kick)
( 3-42) NE  John Tarver 7 yard rush (John Smith kick)

                     BAL             NE
First Downs:         15              23
Rushes-yards:        24-85           38-186
Yards/rush:          3.5             4.9
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     22-41-215-1     12-23-198-2
Sacked-yards:        5-35            0-0
Net pass yards:      180             198
Net yards/pass:      3.9             8.6
Total net yards:     265             384
Total plays:         70 (34% run)    61 (62% run)  
Yards/play:          3.8             6.3
Fumbles-lost:        5-2             2-1
Turnovers:           3               3
Penalties-yards:     5-70            5-55

Attendance: 55,820

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The Giants took a 7-0 lead on rookie Doug Kotar's 53-yard run in the first period, but Falcons' quarterback Bob Lee and tight end Jim Mitchell combined for a 15-yard tying score in the second period. Atlanta cornerback Ray Brown intercepted a Norm Snead pass and ran 59 yards for a TD, the season's longest interception return in the NFC.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Giants by 4

( 0- 7) NYG Doug Kotar 53 yard rush (Pete Gogolak kick)
( 7- 7) ATL Jim Mitchell 15 yard pass from Bob Lee (Nick Mike-Mayer kick)
(14- 7) ATL Ray Brown 59 yard interception return (Nick Mike-Mayer kick)

                     ATL             NYG
First Downs:         17              13
Rushes-yards:        38-157          29-172
Yards/rush:          4.1             5.9
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     10-17-142-3     12-26-104-2
Sacked-yards:        3-14            2-15
Net pass yards:      128             89
Net yards/pass:      6.4             3.2
Total net yards:     285             261
Total plays:         58 (65% run)    57 (50% run)  
Yards/play:          4.9             4.6
Fumbles-lost:        1-0             0-0
Turnovers:           3               2
Penalties-yards:     4-20            3-15

Attendance: 42,379

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Philadelphia intercepted four San Diego passes and scored a touchdown on Bill Dunstan's 46-yard run after recovering a fumble to win the interconference game. Dunstan picked off the ball in mid air when QB Dan Fouts was hit by Randy Logan while attempting to pass. Don Woods, the Chargers' bargain rookie, had his second straight 100-yard plus rushing game (21 for 133) and moved into second place in the AFC rushing race. Po James was the top Eagles' rusher with 15 for 87 yards and also caught six passes for 26 yards. Logan's interception against Fouts led Philadelphia to its second score.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Eagles by 5

( 6- 0) PHI Bill Dunstan 46 yard fumble return (kick failed)
(13- 0) PHI Tom Sullivan 1 yard rush (Tom Dempsey kick)
(13- 7) SD  Gary Garrison 6 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick)

                     PHI             SD
First Downs:         19              19
Rushes-yards:        34-143          31-160
Yards/rush:          4.2             5.2
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     18-33-112-1     13-33-134-4
Sacked-yards:        0-0             1-8
Net pass yards:      112             126
Net yards/pass:      3.4             3.7
Total net yards:     255             286
Total plays:         67 (50% run)    65 (47% run)  
Yards/play:          3.8             4.4
Fumbles-lost:        1-0             4-1
Turnovers:           1               5
Penalties-yards:     5-64            4-20

Attendance: 36,013

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After falling behind 9-0, the Cardinals erupted to score on five consecutive ball possessions, beginning late in the second period on Terry Metcalf's 24-yard run to climax an 84-yard march. St. Louis' 24-point third period included scoring passes of 57 and 59 yards from Jim Hart to Mel Gray, who made three receptions for 124 yards. For the third time in their four consecutive victories, the Cardinals' blockers did not permit Hart to be sacked as he moved into second place among NFC passers.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Line: Cardinals by 2

( 0- 6) SF  Gene Washington 58 yard pass from Joe Reed (kick failed)
( 0- 9) SF  Bruce Gossett 20 yard field goal
( 7- 9) STL Terry Metcalf 24 yard rush (Jim Bakken kick)
(14- 9) STL Mel Gray 57 yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick)
(21- 9) STL Donny Anderson 4 yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick)
(24- 9) STL Jim Bakken 47 yard field goal
(31- 9) STL Mel Gray 59 yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick)
(34- 9) STL Jim Bakken 42 yard field goal

                     STL             SF
First Downs:         21              12
Rushes-yards:        49-223          28-186
Yards/rush:          4.6             6.6
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     11-19-184-2     7-20-128-2
Sacked-yards:        0-0             4-8
Net pass yards:      184             120
Net yards/pass:      9.7             5.0
Total net yards:     407             306
Total plays:         68 (72% run)    52 (53% run)  
Yards/play:          6.0             5.9
Fumbles-lost:        3-0             6-1
Turnovers:           2               3
Penalties-yards:     4-34            5-35

Attendance: 47,675

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