NFL 1979, Week 9: New England 16, Baltimore 13 (OT)

Late in the fourth quarter, Baltimore and New England were tied 13-13.  Greg Landry completed a pass to the New England 13 yard line with just 13 seconds to go.  The Colts hurried their field goal team on the field, and couldn’t get the kick off before time expired.  It proved a fatal mistake as John Smith hit a 29 yard field goal 8:31 into overtime for a 16-13 win.

Steve Grogan was the game MVP for his all-around play.  He threw 23 passes, completing 15 of them for 216 yards and a touchdown, and also ran the ball 6 times for 77 yards.

The Patriots and Colts each go to 5-4.

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NFL 1979, Week 9: Minnesota 20, Tampa Bay 14

The Vikings came out with a strategy that worked effectively against Tampa Bay: pass and pass often.  Even on a 36 degree day at Metropolitan Stadium, it paid off in spades for a 20-14 victory.

Tommy Kramer was the game MVP, completing 23 of 42 passes for 240 yards and a rushing touchdown.

The Bucs fall to 5-4, the Vikings improve to 3-6.

NFL 1979, Week 9: Houston 27, NY Jets 14

A command performance from Earl Campbell proved the difference as the Oilers turned back the Jets 27-14 at the Astrodome.

Campbell also took the game MVP award, rushing the ball 30 times for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a magnificent 77 yard TD to put the Oilers up for good 17-14 in the 3rd quarter after the Jets assumed a 14-10 lead roughly a minute prior.

The Oilers are Jets are now each at 4-5.

NFL 1979, Week 9: Detroit 27, Buffalo 21

NFL fans in Detroit have something to cheer about.  The Detroit Lions held off a late Buffalo rally to defeat the Bills 27-21 at the Pontiac Silverdome.

Jeff Komlo took the player of the game award.  He threw for 223 yards, but his 9 rushes for 37 yards included two touchdowns.

The Lions improve to 1-8, the Bills fall to 4-5.

NFL 1979, Week 9: Cleveland 66, St. Louis 28

After a first quarter that saw five touchdowns in a span of 4 minutes and 44 seconds, the Cleveland Browns kicked it into high gear to thrash the St. Louis Cardinals 66-28 after trailing 21-7.  This was the most points an NFL team has scored since the Washington Redskins defeated the New York Giants 72-41 in 1966.

Brian Sipe had a field day and took player of the game honors.  He threw 6 TD passes, going 21 of 32 for 358 yards.  Even one of his two interceptions resulted in a Cardinal touchdown.

The Cardinals now fall to 2-7, while the Browns are 4-5.

NFL 1979, Week 9: New Orleans 24, Washington 21

For most of the game, it looked like the Washington Redskins had a plan to derail the high powered New Orleans offense, holding a lead into the fourth quarter.  But the Saints got hot with a flurry of points that proved to be enough as they held off a late Redskin charge for a 24-21 win.

Chuck Muncie of the Saints had an impressive effort to take the MVP award.  He ran for 115 yards on 29 carries for a TD, and also caught 8 passes for 88 yards, including another TD.

The Saints move up to an impressive 8-1, the Redskins fall back to 5-4.

NFL 1979, Week 9: Pittsburgh 28, Dallas 10

In a battle of the previous year’s Super Bowl participants, it was the Steelers getting clutch plays at the right times for a 28-10 win.

Franco Harris ran all over the Cowboys and took the game MVP.  He rushed for 146 yards on 26 bruising carries, one for a TD.  His longest run from scrimmage was 18 yards, so it was vintage ground and pound from the Silver and Gold.

Pittsburgh remains undefeated at 9-0, Dallas falls to 5-4.

NFL 1979, Week 9: San Diego 31, Oakland 26

On a nationally televised Thursday night game, San Diego and Oakland battled back and forth, trading the lead several times in the second half.  A Dan Fouts pass to Mike Thomas from 2 yards out with 2:54 left in regulation gave the Chargers the win, 31-26.

Fouts also took MVP honors for the game.  He threw for 220 yards and 2 TD’s, but some clutch passing on that go ahead drive proved the difference in the game.

San Diego is still undefeated at 9-0, while Oakland falls to 4-5.

NFL 1979: Week 8 Individual Leaders

Here are the individual leaders after eight weeks of play.  Team offensive and defensive leaders will be next posted after Week 10.

NFL 1979: Week 8 Standings

Here are the standings after eight weeks of play: