1965 NFL Championship Game

1965 NFL Championship Game

The 1965 National Football League Championship game was the 33rd championship game for the NFL. The game was played on January 2, 1966 at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin. The game matched the Eastern Conference champions Cleveland Browns (11-3) who were the defending NFL champions. The Western Conference champions Green Bay Packers (10-3-1) had defeated the Baltimore Colts a week earlier in a Western Conference play off. The Packers were making their first appearance in the championship game since 1962. This was the first NFL championship game televised in color.

With the victory the Packers won their 9th overall NFL title, 6th in the championship game era.

Game Day Preparations

The Packers coached by the irascible Vince Lombardi, would feature on offense, Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor and Carroll Dale, along with linemen Jerry Kramer, Forrest Gregg and Fuzzy Thurston. Defensively Green Bay showcased Herb Adderly, Ray Nitschke, Willie Wood and Dave Robinson.

Cleveland, coached by Blanton Collier, had the implacable Jim Brown, WR's Gary Collins, Paul Warfield, guard Gene Hickerson and kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza on offense. Cleveland's defense however, during the regular season, allowed an average of 23.2 points and twice gave up 40+ points in losses to the lowly Cardinals and Rams.1

Despite a heavy snowstorm that blanketed the field, 50,777 hearty fans showed up in 26ºF weather. A tarp covered the field until shortly before kickoff and a moderated wind of 12 mph blew through Lambeau field.3 4 7

Scoring

• 1st Quarter
  • GB - Dale 47 pass from Starr (Chandler kick) 7-0 GB
  • CLE - Collins 17 pass from Ryan (kick failed) 7-6 GB
  • CLE - FG Groza 24 9-7 CLE
• 2nd Quarter
  • GB - FG Chandler 15 10-9 GB
  • GB - FG Chandler 23 13-9 GB
  • CLE - FG Groza 28 13-12 GB
• 3rd Quarter
  • GB - Hornung 13 run (Chandler kick) 20-12 GB
• 4th Quarter
  • GB - FG Chandler 29 23-12 GB