In this year of upsets in the NFL, the favorites came through yesterday. Minnesota clinched a tie for the Central Division title, beating Detroit, 28-7. Los Angeles crushed the upstart Saints, 29-7. The Falcons kept pace with the Rams in the Western Conference race, outscoring Philadelphia, 44-27. The Cowboys forced eight Giant turnovers and whipped New York, 23-10, their seventh straight loss. The Redskins overwhelmed the disappointing 49ers, 33-9.

In the AFC, Pittsburgh edged Oakland, 17-9, in a battle of division leaders. The Broncos ruined the debut of San Diego coach Ron Waller by winning, 30-19. The Jets romped over the feeble Patriots, 33-13. The Super Bowl Champion Dolphins smashed the Colts, 44-0. Horst Muhlmann's field goal with three seconds left gave the Bengals a 16-13 victory over Buffalo.