NFL Game of the Week

After a sluggish 1-2 start, the Redskins returned to the renamed RFK Stadium October 16 for the home opener. It was tough going, but the 'Skins evened their record with a 17-14 win over the luckless Eagles.

Cleveland was riding on the strength of new starting QB Bill Nelsen, who had won six straight games. New York trailed the Browns by just one game going into this December 1 showdown. Nelsen and RB Leroy Kelly turned this into a mismatch. Winning 45-10, the Browns were one victory away from the Century Division title (a title they would win the next week).

Since late October, the Rams were gasping for breath in the tight Coastal Division race with the Baltimore Colts. They had to beat the Bears on December 8 to maintain the remote hope of a title. What happened in the final minutes, though, was an unforgettable sting. An officiating blunder aided and abeted the Bears to upset the Rams 17-16.