1963 Chicago Bears season

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The 1963 Chicago Bears season was their 44th regular season and 12th post-season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 11-1-2 record, earning them an NFL Western Conference Championship and a spot in the NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants. The Bears prevailed beating the Giants 14-10 for the club's eighth NFL title.

[edit] Schedule

[edit] NFL Championship Game

For more details on this topic, see NFL Championship Game, 1963.

[edit] Game Summary

The Giants opened the scoring in the first quarter when Y.A. Tittle led New York on an 83-yard drive that was capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Frank Gifford. The drive was set up by Billy Wade's fumble deep in the Giants territory. However, later in the first period, Tittle suffered an injury to his left knee when Larry Morris hit him during his throwing motion. For the rest of the game, Tittle would never be the same. Morris then intercepted Tittle's screen pass and returned the ball 61 yards to the Giants 6-yard line. Two plays later, Wade scored a touchdown on a two-yard quarterback sneak to tie the game at 7.

In the second quarter, the Giants retook the lead, 10-7, on a 13-yard field goal. But on New York's next drive, Tittle re-injured his left knee on another hit by Morris. With Tittle out for two possessions, the Giants struggled, only able to advance 2 yards in 7 plays. Allie Sherman even punted on third down, showing no confidence in backup Glynn Griffing. However, the score remained 10-7 at halftime.

Tittle would comeback in the third period, but he needed Cortisone, Novocain, and heavy taping and bandaging just to continue. For the rest of the game, Tittle was forced to throw off his back foot (poor mechanics for a quarterback). An interception on a screen pass by the Bears' Ed O'Bradovich was brought deep into Giant territory, setting up Wade's 1-yard touchdown to give Chicago a 14-10 lead. The score would hold up, and the Bears iced the game on Richie Petitbon's interception in the end zone with 10 seconds left. It was Tittle's 5th interception. At the end of the game defensive coordinator George Allen was given the game ball due to his defense's spectacular play.

[edit] Scoring summary

• First Quarter
  • NYG - Gifford 14 pass from Tittle (Chandler kick), 7:22
  • CHI - Wade 2 yard run (Jencks kick), 14:44
• Second Quarter
  • NYG - FG Chandler 13, 5:11
• Third Quarter
  • CHI - Wade 1 yard run (Jencks kick), 12:48
• Fourth Quarter
  • None

[edit] References

• NFL Record and Fact Book (ISBN 1-932994-36-X)
• 1963 season in details