Head coach Eddie Erdelatz announced a pair of lineup changes for the Chargers rematch on December 4: John Dittrich would replace Wayne Hawkins at right guard and Doug Asad would start in place of Gene Prebola at tight end.
Two more lineup changes were in the works because of previously unreported injuries to wide receiver Alan Goldstein and defensive tackle George Fields. Nyle McFarlane would take Goldstein’s place and Don Deskins would replace Fields.
| Eastern Division | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 8 | 3 | 0 | .727 |
| Boston | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 |
| New York | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 |
| Buffalo | 4 | 6 | 1 | .409 |
| Western Division | ||||
| Los Angeles | 7 | 4 | 0 | .636 |
| Dallas | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 |
| Oakland | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 |
| Denver | 4 | 6 | 1 | .409 |