5. Browns 30, Rams 19, Nov. 26, 1978 at Cleveland
Brian Sipe completed 15 of 23 passes for 246 yards as the Browns earned the upset win.
A 41-yard Don Cockroft field goal, rookie tight end Ozzie Newsome’s 9-yard touchdown run on an end-around and Mike Pruitt’s 1-yard touchdown plunge game the Browns a 17-9 halftime lead. Sipe’s 31-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Rucker put the Browns up 24-9 in the third quarter and Greg Pruitt dashed 57 yards for a score and a 30-12 fourth-quarter advantage.
Newsome, who would make the Hall of Fame, and wide receivers Rucker and Dave Logan each had three receptions: Newsome for 73 yards; Rucker for 71; Logan for 70. Greg Pruitt gained 74 yards on nine carries.
The Browns intercepted four passes as they improved to 7-6 and maintained their slight wild card hopes. They finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs.
Los Angeles became 10-3 with the loss. The Rams won the NFC West with a 12-4 record, then defeated the Minnesota Vikings in a playoff game before losing the National Football Conference championship game to the Dallas Cowboys.
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