Packers and Giants battled for the 1962 NFL title

A total of 17 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame – one owner, a head coach, and 15 players – were involved in the Packers’ win over the Giants in the 1962 NFL Championship Game.

 

HOFers Battle: Jim Taylor of the Packers is wrapped up by Giants linebacker Sam Huff.

When the Green Bay Packers host the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field on Sunday, it will mark the sixth post-season meeting between these two proud franchises.

The last time the Giants and Packers faced each other in the playoffs was in the 1962 NFL Championship Game.  The game featured two of the NFL’s powerhouses, each stocked with their fare share of future Hall of Famers.  A total of 17 members of the Hall of Fame were involved with that game played on December 30, 1962. 

HOFers in ’62 NFL Championship Game

Green Bay Packers – Herb Adderley, Willie Davis, Forrest Gregg, Paul Hornung, Henry Jordan, Vince Lombardi, Ray Nitschke, Jim Ringo, Bart Starr, Jim Taylor, and Willie Wood New York Giants – Roosevelt Brown, Frank Gifford, Sam Huff,  Wellington Mara, Andy Robustelli, and Y.A. Tittle

“That was the hardest football game I ever played in,” is how Packers’ Hall of Fame halfback Paul Hornung described his team’s 16-7 win over the host Giants.  The victory marked the Packers’ second straight league title.

The game was touted as a battle between that season’s biggest offenses.  The Packers led the NFL that season in 11 different offensive categories.  Meanwhile, the Giants led the NFL in total offense as they racked up more than 5,000 net yards and had league-leading 35 touchdown passes.

The teams awoke to blistery cold conditions in New York that morning.  The game-time temperatures at Yankee Stadium dipped to 13 degrees and the afternoon included wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour that made things difficult for the two high-powered offenses.

Although the Giants outgained the Packers, it was Green Bay who controlled the ball.  Fullback Jim Taylor, that season’s Most Valuable Player, proved too much for the Giants defense.  Taylor finished the game battered, cut, and bruised after he carried the ball 31 times and for 85 hard-earned yards, and scored the game’s only offensive touchdown. 

Playoff History -- GB vs. NYG

1938 – GIANTS 23, Packers 17 1939 – PACKERS 27, Giants 0 1944 – Packers 14, GIANTS 7 1961 – PACKERS 37, Giants 0 1962 – Packers 16, GIANTS 7

Another key to the win was Jerry Kramer who was in his first year of handling the Packers’ kicking duties.  While his teammates wore rubber soles for traction on the frozen field, Kramer chose to use a shoe with cleats and a kicking toe on his right foot.  He nailed three field goals – 26, 29, and 30 yards – to help Green Bay put away the Giants.

Green Bay’s defense was led by the ferocious Ray Nitchke.  The Hall of Fame linebacker spent the afternoon delivering bone-jarring hits.  He also recovered two fumbles that set up a Packer touchdown and field goal, and deflected a pass that was then intercepted by teammate Dan Currie.  For his efforts, Nitschke was awarded a Corvette from Sport magazine as the game’s Most Valuable Player.

“I think it was about as fine a football game as I’ve ever seen,” commented Packers legendary coach Vince Lombardi afterwards.  “I think we saw football as it should be played.”

 

 

The game program from the 1962 NFL Championship Game

 

 Related Links:

 Green Bay Packers history | New York Giants history
 Playoff Results, 1932-present

  NFL.com: NFC Championship Preview