The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Houston Astros, 4-3, yesterday, so the two teams finish the regular season tied in the National League West. Joe Niekro (9-12) will pitch for the Astros against Dave Goltz (7-10) in today's one-game playoff in Los Angeles.

The suprising Buffalo Bills became the only remaining unbeaten team after five weeks of the NFL season when they rallied from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit yesterday and edged the previously undefeated San Diego Chargers, 26-24.

The Detroit Lions, the only other team that had won its first four outings, lost to the Atlanta Falcons, 43-28, as Buddy Curry and Joel Williams returned fumbles for touchdowns and Frank Reed ran back a blocked punt for another Falcon score.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets remained winless, but the Kansas City Chiefs posted their first victory of the season. The St. Louis Cardinals pasted the Saints, 40-7, and the Chiefs topped the Oakland Raiders, 31-17.

Cornerback Mike Haynes galloped a club-record 65 yds. with a blocked field goal, and reserve quarterback Matt Cavanaugh threw a three-yd. touchdown pass to Harold Jackson as the New England Patriots beat the still winless New York Jets, 21-11.

Elsewhere, the Baltimore Colts beat the Miami Dolphins, 30-17; the Green Bay Packers edged the Cincinnati Bengals, 14-9; the Denver Broncos trimmed the Cleveland Browns, 19-16; the Pittsburgh Steelers downed the Minnesota Vikings, 23-17; the Seattle Seahawks surprised the Houston Oilers, 26-7; the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Washington Redskins, 24-14; the Los Angeles Rams outscored the San Francisco 49ers, 48-26, and the Dallas Cowboys whipped the New York Giants, 24-3.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

The American League East champion New York Yankees ended their season with a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers in which Reggie Jackson tripled and completed his first .300 season.