1963 Chicago Bears season

The 1963 Chicago Bears season was their 44th regular season and 12th post-season appearance in the National Football League. The team finished with an 11–1–2 record (the best of the 4th and final Halas era) to gain their first Western Conference championship since 1956, and the berth to host the NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants (11–3–0).[1][2]

1963 Chicago Bears season
OwnerGeorge Halas
General managerGeorge Halas, Jr.
Head coachGeorge Halas
Home fieldWrigley Field
Results
Record11–1–2
Division place1st Western
Playoff finishWon NFL Championship
(vs. Giants) 14–10

In the regular season, Chicago defeated the rival Green Bay Packers (11–2–1) twice to deny them the opportunity to play for a third consecutive NFL title; the Packers had won the previous five meetings with Chicago.[3][4] In the championship game on December 29, the Bears defeated the Giants, 14–10, at Wrigley Field for the club's eighth league title, their first since 1946 and the last under head coach and founder George Halas.[5][6][7][8]

This was the Bears' last playoff berth prior to the AFL–NFL merger, and their last NFL championship until 1985 and Super Bowl XX. The Bears' defense in 1963 was the third in history to lead the NFL in fewest rushing yards, fewest passing yards, and fewest total yards;[9] the defense also allowed only 144 points, formerly an NFL record.[10]

In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1963 Bears as the ninth-greatest defense in NFL history,[11] noting, "[i]n 1963, Bears defensive coach George Allen came up with a new zone defense against the pass, befuddling opponents. With Doug Atkins and Ed O'Bradovich pressuring opposing QBs from their defensive end slots, and Bill George and Larry Morris defending against short passes from the linebacker position, the Bears picked off 36 passes, and allowed just 10.3 points and 227 yards per game. The Bears went on to win the NFL championship, thanks to the Defense. In the title game against Y. A. Tittle and the Giants, who had the best offense in the NFL, Chicago's five picks were the key, as the Bears won 14–10. George Allen got the game ball."

Offseason

NFL Draft
Main article: 1963 NFL draft
1963 Chicago Bears draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 11 Dave Behrman  C Michigan State Pick from trade with PIT
2 20 Steve Barnett  T Oregon Pick from trade with DAL
2 25 Bob Jencks  E Miami (OH)
3 38 Larry Glueck  DB Villanova
4 49 Stan Sanders  E Whittier Pick from trade with SF
4 52 Charley Mitchell  HB Washington Pick from trade with PIT
6 80 John Johnson  T Indiana Pick from trade with PIT
6 81 Dave Mathieson  QB Washington State
7 94 Paul Underhill  B Missouri
8 109 Dennis Harmon  DB Southern Illinois
9 118 Monte Day  T Fresno State Pick from trade with DAL
9 122 Dave Watson  LB Georgia Tech
10 137 Ed Hoerster  LB Notre Dame
11 150 James Tullis  DB Florida A&M
12 165 Dick Drummond  B George Washington
13 178 John Szumcyk  B Trinity (CT)
14 193 Gordan Banks  B Fisk
15 206 Bob Dentel  C/LB Miami (FL)
16 221 Lowell Caylor  DB Miami (OH)
17 234 John Sisk  B Miami (FL)
18 249 Jeff Slabaugh  E Indiana
19 262 Bob Yaksick  DB Rutgers
20 277 John Gregory  E Baldwin-Wallace
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Source:[12]

Personnel

Coaches

Roster
1963 Chicago Bears final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Rookies in italics

  • Team photo[14]
  • Rosters - 1963 NFL title game[15]

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 15 at Green Bay Packers W 10–3 1–0 City Stadium 42,327
2 September 22 at Minnesota Vikings W 28–7 2–0 Metropolitan Stadium 33,923
3 September 29 at Detroit Lions W 37–21 3–0 Tiger Stadium 55,400
4 October 6 Baltimore Colts W 10–3 4–0 Wrigley Field 48,998
5 October 13 at Los Angeles Rams W 52–14 5–0 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 40,476
6 October 20 at San Francisco 49ers L 14–20 5–1 Kezar Stadium 35,837
7 October 27 Philadelphia Eagles W 16–7 6–1 Wrigley Field 48,514
8 November 3 at Baltimore Colts W 17–7 7–1 Memorial Stadium 60,065
9 November 10 Los Angeles Rams W 6–0 8–1 Wrigley Field 48,312
10 November 17 Green Bay Packers W 26–7 9–1 Wrigley Field 49,166
11 November 24 at Pittsburgh Steelers T 17–17 9–1–1 Forbes Field 36,465
12 December 1 Minnesota Vikings T 17–17 9–1–2 Wrigley Field 47,249
13 December 8 San Francisco 49ers W 27–7 10–1–2 Wrigley Field 46,994
14 December 15 Detroit Lions W 24–14 11–1–2 Wrigley Field 45,317

Week 1 at Packers
Week One: Chicago Bears (0–0) at Green Bay Packers (0–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 3 0 7010
Packers 3 0 003

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: September 15, 1963
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 42,327
  • Box Score
Game information

Source:[3]

Week 2 at Vikings
Week Two: Chicago Bears (1–0) at Minnesota Vikings (1–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 7 01428
Vikings 0 7 007

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

  • Date: September 22, 1963
  • Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 33,923
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 3 at Lions
Week Three: Chicago Bears (2–0) at Detroit Lions (1–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 28 0237
Lions 0 0 14721

at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: September 29, 1963
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 55,400
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 4 vs Colts
Week Four: Baltimore Colts (1–2) at Chicago Bears (3–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 0 303
Bears 0 0 01010

at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: October 6, 1963
  • Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 48,998
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 5
1 234Total
• Bears 7 21321 52
Rams 0 707 14
Scoring summary
Q1CHIDitka 13 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick)CHI 7–0
Q2CHIMcRae 35 yard interception return (Jencks kick)CHI 14–0
Q2LAPhillips 10 yard pass from Bratkowski (Villanueva kick)CHI 14–7
Q2CHIDitka 25 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick)CHI 21–7
Q2CHIDitka 2 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick)CHI 28–7
Q3CHILeClerc 31 yard field goalCHI 31–7
Q4LABass 4 yard run (Villanueva kick)CHI 31–14
Q4CHIDitka 14 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick)CHI 38–14
Q4CHIGalimore 2 yard run (Jencks kick)CHI 45–14
Q4CHIFarrington 17 yard pass from Bukich (Jencks kick)CHI 52–14

[16]

Week 6
1 234Total
Bears 0 707 14
• 49ers 10 730 20

[17]

Week 7
1 234Total
Eagles 0 700 7
• Bears 10 060 16
  • Date: October 27
  • Location: Wrigley Field

[18]

Week 8
1 234Total
• Bears 7 073 17
Colts 0 070 7

[19]

Week 9
1 234Total
Rams 0 000 0
• Bears 3 030 6
  • Date: November 10
  • Location: Wrigley Field

[20]

Week 10
1 234Total
Packers 0 007 7
• Bears 13 0310 26
  • Date: November 17
  • Location: Wrigley Field

[21]

Week 11
1 234Total
Bears 7 703 17
Steelers 0 1403 17

[22]

Week 12
1 234Total
Vikings 3 1400 17
Bears 3 077 17
  • Date: December 1
  • Location: Wrigley Field

[23]

Week 13
1 234Total
49ers 0 700 7
• Bears 14 076 27
  • Date: December 8
  • Location: Wrigley Field

[24]

Week 14
1 234Total
Lions 0 700 7
• Bears 3 0147 24
  • Date: December 15
  • Location: Wrigley Field

[25]

Standings
NFL Western Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Chicago Bears 11 1 2 .917 10–1–1 301 144 W2
Green Bay Packers 11 2 1 .846 9–2–1 369 206 W2
Baltimore Colts 8 6 0 .571 7–5 316 285 W3
Detroit Lions 5 8 1 .385 4–7–1 326 265 L1
Minnesota Vikings 5 8 1 .385 4–7–1 309 390 W1
Los Angeles Rams 5 9 0 .357 5–7 210 350 L2
San Francisco 49ers 2 12 0 .143 1–11 198 391 L5

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

NFL Championship
Main article: 1963 NFL Championship Game
1 234Total
Giants 7 300 10
• Bears 7 070 14
Scoring summary
Q17:38NYGGifford 14 yard pass from Tittle (Chandler kick)NYG 7–0
Q10:16CHIWade 2 yard run (Jencks kick)Tie 7–7
Q29:49NYGChandler 13 yard field goalNYG 10–7
Q32:12CHIWade 1 yard run (Jencks kick)CHI 14–10

The Giants opened the scoring in the first quarter when quarterback 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 Bears quarterback Bill Wade's fumble deep in Giants territory, which was recovered by former Bear Erich Barnes.[26] 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. New York coach Allie Sherman even punted on third down, showing no confidence in backup Glynn Griffing. However, the score remained 10–7 at halftime.

Tittle came back in the third period, but due to his injury, he was forced to throw off his back foot. An interception on a screen pass by the Bears' Ed O'Bradovich was brought deep into Giants territory, setting up Wade's 1-yard touchdown to give Chicago a 14–10 lead. The score held 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.

References
  1. Strickler, George (December 29, 1963). "Bears battle Giants for title today". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 2.
  2. Hand, Jack (December 29, 1963). "Offensive Giants, defensive Bears in NFL finale". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. 1, sports.
  3. Strickler, George (September 16, 1963). "Bears shatter Packers' invincibility". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 3.
  4. Strickler, George (November 18, 1963). "Here's how Bears won". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 1.
  5. Strickler, George (December 30, 1963). "Bears the champions! Win, 14–10". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 1.
  6. Sell, Jack (December 30, 1963). "Bears stop Giants, win NFL title". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. pp. 1, 18.
  7. Livingston, Pat (December 30, 1963). "Bears open 'screen' door to title". Pittsburgh Press. p. 18.
  8. "Papa's polar Bears whittle Tittle; intercept five, win title 14–10". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 30, 1963. p. 8.
  9. The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns, p. 294, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007, ISBN 978-1-58979-360-6
  10. "Happy Birthday George Halas". Chicago Bears. January 31, 2014. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  11. The List: Best NFL defense of all-time, 2007
  12. 1963 Draft at Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2013-Dec-08.
  13. Chicago Bears media guide. Retrieved 2015-Aug-23.
  14. "Team photo". Chicago Tribune. December 14, 1963. p. 1, section 2.
  15. "TV numbers". Chicago Tribune. December 29, 1963. p. 2, section 2.
  16. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Dec-08.
  17. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  18. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  19. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  20. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  21. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  22. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  23. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  24. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  25. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  26. Coppock, Chet (December 27, 2013). "Bears defeat Giants 14–10 for 1963 championship". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.

Additional sources
  • NFL Record and Fact Book (ISBN 978-1-932994-36-0)
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