NFL game summary for 10/23/1977:
Steve Grogan riddled the Colts with pinpoint passing and the Patriots' defense allowed only 86 total yards in a 17-3 win. Grogan completed 11 of 16 passes for 214 yards and one touchdown, a 31-yarder to Russ Francis that gave the Patriots a 14-0 advantage in the third quarter. Bert Jones, under a heavy rush all afternoon, completed only 6 of 18 passes. Lydell Mitchell was stymied and gained only 29 yards on 13 carries. Darryl Stingley caught four passes for 116 yards and Francis caught four for 69 yards.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 176.2 (6) | 141.2 (16) | 317.4 (10) | 5 |
| DEFENSE | 109.0 (4) | 167.6 (22) | 276.6 (14) | 19 | |
 | OFFENSE | 191.8 (1) | 139.8 (18) | 331.6 (5) | 15 |
| DEFENSE | 126.6 (9) | 154.8 (18) | 281.4 (15) | 15 |
Line: Patriots by 2
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Colts (5-1-0) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| New England Patriots (4-2-0) | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
( 0- 7) NE Don Calhoun 2 yard rush (John Smith kick)
( 0-14) NE Russ Francis 31 yard pass from Steve Grogan (John Smith kick)
( 3-14) BAL Toni Linhart 40 yard field goal
( 3-17) NE John Smith 18 yard field goal
BAL NE
First Downs: 8 20
Rushes-yards: 23-75 52-169
Yards/rush: 3.3 3.2
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 6-18-64-0 11-16-214-0
Sacked-yards: 5-53 1-13
Net pass yards: 11 201
Net yards/pass: 0.5 11.8
Total net yards: 86 370
Total plays: 46 (50% run) 69 (75% run)
Yards/play: 1.9 5.4
Fumbles-lost: 1-0 2-2
Turnovers: 0 2
Penalties-yards: 4-39 7-65
Attendance: 60,958
Passing:
BAL: Bert Jones, 6 of 18 for 64 yards NE: Steve Grogan, 11 of 16 for 214 yards and 1 TD
Rushing:
BAL: Lydell Mitchell, 13 for 29 yards; Ron Lee, 7 for 20 yards; Bert Jones, 3 for 26 yards NE: Don Calhoun, 27 for 74 yards and 1 TD; Sam Cunningham, 20 for 63 yards; Steve Grogan, 5 for 32 yards
Receiving:
BAL: Raymond Chester, 3 for 36 yards; Don McCauley, 2 for 14 yards; Freddie Scott, 1 for 14 yards NE: Darryl Stingley, 4 for 116 yards; Russ Francis, 4 for 69 yards and 1 TD; Sam Cunningham, 2 for 17 yards; Stanley Morgan, 1 for 12 yards
Kick returns:
BAL: Bruce Laird, 3 for 79 yards; Howard Stevens, 1 for 31 yards NE: Raymond Clayborn, 1 for 24 yards
Punt returns:
BAL: Howard Stevens, 2 for -2 yards NE: Mike Haynes, 3 for 9 yards; Stanley Morgan, 2 for 22 yards
Interceptions:
Punting:
BAL: David Lee, 8 for 330 yards NE: Mike Patrick, 4 for 135 yards
Field Goals:
BAL: Toni Linhart, 1/1 NE: John Smith, 1/1
BAL: Bert Jones, 6 of 18 for 64 yards NE: Steve Grogan, 11 of 16 for 214 yards and 1 TD
Rushing:
BAL: Lydell Mitchell, 13 for 29 yards; Ron Lee, 7 for 20 yards; Bert Jones, 3 for 26 yards NE: Don Calhoun, 27 for 74 yards and 1 TD; Sam Cunningham, 20 for 63 yards; Steve Grogan, 5 for 32 yards
Receiving:
BAL: Raymond Chester, 3 for 36 yards; Don McCauley, 2 for 14 yards; Freddie Scott, 1 for 14 yards NE: Darryl Stingley, 4 for 116 yards; Russ Francis, 4 for 69 yards and 1 TD; Sam Cunningham, 2 for 17 yards; Stanley Morgan, 1 for 12 yards
Kick returns:
BAL: Bruce Laird, 3 for 79 yards; Howard Stevens, 1 for 31 yards NE: Raymond Clayborn, 1 for 24 yards
Punt returns:
BAL: Howard Stevens, 2 for -2 yards NE: Mike Haynes, 3 for 9 yards; Stanley Morgan, 2 for 22 yards
Interceptions:
Punting:
BAL: David Lee, 8 for 330 yards NE: Mike Patrick, 4 for 135 yards
Field Goals:
BAL: Toni Linhart, 1/1 NE: John Smith, 1/1