NFL Game of the Week

Stanley Morgan was one of New England's two first-round picks. That, plus an easy schedule, meant the Patriots were among the playoff favorites. But costly holdouts could have burned New England as early as September 18 against the Chiefs. But the Pats, particularly their running game, turned the tables in an Opening Day 21-17 win.

Walt Michaels had been the linebackers coach on the Super Bowl III Jets. Now, nine years later, he was the head coach in New York. In this Shea Stadium-based game, a rarity for Week 3, the Jets had their hands full with the talented Patriots. But Walt Michaels got his first victory (one of three on the Jets' season), 30-27.

The Colts retired Johnny Unitas's jersey number 19 at halftime of this showdown with ex-coach Don Shula. After an explosive opening few minutes, the Colts held the Dolphins scoreless in the second half. That 45-28 Baltimore win marked the most points a Miami defense had surrendered since Shula became their coach.

Both the Raiders and Broncos were 4-0 when they clashed in Oakland Coliseum on October 16, 1977. On that day, Broncomania was born. Denver overwhelmed Raider QB Ken Stabler, pressing him into seven interceptions (one shy of the NFL single-game record). That, coupled with a fake field goal attempt turned touchdown, lifted Denver to a 30-7 win, making the Broncos true contenders.

Oakland wanted to return to form after a staggering home loss to archrival Denver. They responded in typical Raider fashion. Despite four TD passes by the Jets' Richard Todd, Ken Stabler threw fourth-quarter scores to Mike Siani and Fred Biletnikoff in this 28-27 cliffhanger.

THe Rams saw a changing of the guard during of October. In Week 5, second-year QB Pat Haden had made his first start of the yeatr, succeeding Joe Namath, of all people. Haden's return to the starting job had inspired L.A. two weeks before, jelling them to a 14-7 win over New Orleans in Los Angeles Coliseum. Now for the rematch in the Louisiana Superdome, the Saints got their slight measure of revenge, 27-26. It was to be one of only three Saints wins in 1977, notched before a season-best attendance of 59,023.

The Steelers thought getting back into contention on Nov. 13 would be easy, especially since the Browns were coming into Three Rivers Stadium. With the Browns' starting QB Brian Sipe out with a shoulder injury before halftime, Pittsburgh's win seemed assured. What they didn't know was that David Mays, the Browns' backup quarterback, would lead a furious comeback attempt.

The Bears were to get the best possible inspiration to keep close to Minnesota in the NFC Central Division race. Walter Payton would emerge with a then-single-game record 275 rushing yards. Chicago couldn't score much, but its defense held the Vikings' offense out of the end zone in a 10-7 thriller.

On November 27, two teams with identical 9-1 records clashed at Mile High Stadium. The strength of Broncomania was evident as Denver broke out in the second half for a 27-13 win over the now-fading Colts.

Without Fran Tarkenton at QB, the Vikes looked a beaten team, falling behind the Niners 24-7. But then rookie quarterback Tommy Kramer came in for Minnesota. He provided the rallying cry for the 28-27 decision, the greatest comeback the Vikings had yet seen.

New England, Miami, and Baltimore were in the thick of the race for the AFC East in 1977. Only one would advance to the playoffs. Ironically, the Patriots needed Baltimore to win if New England's hopes for the crown were to improve. The Pats did their part by holding off Miami, but all would turn dark in Baltimore. On the last play of the game, a questionable Colt punt attempt was blocked and turned into the Lions' winning touchdown.

Baltimore's season of ups and downs came down to the final game of 1977. To win the AFC East, they had to beat the Patriots (who were desperately seeking post-season life themselves).

Going into Baltimore on December 24, 1977, the Oakland Raiders had yet to win a road playoff game. They were in for a classic against a Colts team poised to finally win in the postseason for the first time in six years. The fireworks in the second half came at the right places for Oakland to force overtime on the ""Ghost to the Post."" After 16 minutes of extra play, the Raiders closed out winners 37-31.

On January 1, 1978, the mantle of greatness in the AFC West vividly passed from the Oakland Raiders to the Denver Broncos. The rise of Broncomania reached its first of many peaks as Denver capitalized not only on the opponents' mistakes, but the officials' as well. The failure to spot running back Rob Lytle fumbling the ball on the Oakland goal line aided and abeted Denver in a 20-17 win, propelling the Broncos to Super Bowl XII.