1963 Chicago Bears season
1963 Chicago Bears season | |
---|---|
Head coach | George Halas |
General manager | George Halas, Jr. |
Owner | George Halas |
Home field | Wrigley Field |
Results | |
Record | 11–1–2 |
Division place | 1st Western |
Playoff finish | Won NFL Championship |
The 1963 Chicago Bears season was their 44th regular season and 12th post-season appearance in the National Football League. The club posted an 11–1–2 record 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]
In the regular season, Chicago defeated the rival Green Bay Packers (11–2–1) twice to deny them 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 legendary 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."
Contents
1 Offseason
1.1 NFL Draft
2 Personnel
2.1 Coaches
2.2 Roster
3 Regular season
3.1 Schedule
3.2 Game summaries
3.2.1 Week 1
3.2.2 Week 2
3.2.3 Week 3
3.2.4 Week 4
3.2.5 Week 5
3.2.6 Week 6
3.2.7 Week 7
3.2.8 Week 8
3.2.9 Week 9
3.2.10 Week 10
3.2.11 Week 11
3.2.12 Week 12
3.2.13 Week 13
3.2.14 Week 14
4 Standings
5 NFL Championship
6 References
Offseason
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
- Head Coach – George Halas
- Assistants – George Allen (Defensive Coordinator), Jim Dooley, Phil Handler, Luke Johnsos, Sid Luckman, Chuck Mather[13]
Roster
1963 Chicago Bears final roster | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
| Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
| Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
| Reserve lists
|
- Team photo [14]
- Rosters - 1963 NFL title game [15]
Regular season
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Game site | Record | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 15 | at Green Bay Packers | W 10–3 | City Stadium | 1–0 | 42,327 |
2 | September 22 | at Minnesota Vikings | W 28–7 | Metropolitan Stadium | 2–0 | 33,923 |
3 | September 29 | at Detroit Lions | W 37–21 | Tiger Stadium | 3–0 | 55,400 |
4 | October 6 | Baltimore Colts | W 10–3 | Wrigley Field | 4–0 | 48,998 |
5 | October 13 | at Los Angeles Rams | W 52–14 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 5–0 | 40,476 |
6 | October 20 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 20–14 | Kezar Stadium | 5–1 | 35,837 |
7 | October 27 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 16–7 | Wrigley Field | 6–1 | 48,514 |
8 | November 3 | at Baltimore Colts | W 17–7 | Memorial Stadium | 7–1 | 60,065 |
9 | November 10 | Los Angeles Rams | W 6–0 | Wrigley Field | 8–1 | 48,312 |
10 | November 17 | Green Bay Packers | W 26–7 | Wrigley Field | 9–1 | 49,166 |
11 | November 24 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | T 17–17 | Forbes Field | 9–1–1 | 36,465 |
12 | December 1 | Minnesota Vikings | T 17–17 | Wrigley Field | 9–1–2 | 47,249 |
13 | December 8 | San Francisco 49ers | W 27–7 | Wrigley Field | 10–1–2 | 46,994 |
14 | December 15 | Detroit Lions | W 24–14 | Wrigley Field | 11–1–2 | 45,317 |
Game summaries
Week 1
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Source:[3][16]
Week 2
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Mike Ditka 8 Rec, 124 Yds
[17]
Week 3
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[18]
Week 4
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[19]
Week 5
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|
Mike Ditka 9 Rec, 110 Yds
[20]
Week 6
|
[21]
Week 7
|
[22]
Week 8
|
[23]
Week 9
|
[24]
Week 10
|
[25]
Week 11
|
[26]
Week 12
|
[27]
Week 13
|
[28]
Week 14
|
[29]
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
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|
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 the Giants territory, which was recovered by former Bear Erich Barnes.[30] 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 the injury, Tittle was forced to throw off his back foot. 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 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
^ Strickler, George (December 29, 1963). "Bears battle Giants for title today". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 2..mw-parser-output cite.citationfont-style:inherit.mw-parser-output .citation qquotes:"""""""'""'".mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registrationcolor:#555.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration spanborder-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output code.cs1-codecolor:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-errordisplay:none;font-size:100%.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-errorfont-size:100%.mw-parser-output .cs1-maintdisplay:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-formatfont-size:95%.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-leftpadding-left:0.2em.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-rightpadding-right:0.2em
^ Hand, Jack (December 29, 1963). "Offensive Giants, defensive Bears in NFL finale". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. 1, sports.
^ ab Strickler, George (September 16, 1963). "Bears shatter Packers' invincibility". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 3.
^ Strickler, George (November 18, 1963). "Here's how Bears won". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 1.
^ Strickler, George (December 30, 1963). "Bears the champions! Win, 14-10". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 1.
^ Sell, Jack (December 30, 1963). "Bears stop Giants, win NFL title". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. pp. 1, 18.
^ Livingston, Pat (December 30, 1963). "Bears open 'screen' door to title". Pittsburgh Press. p. 18.
^ "Papa's polar Bears whittle Tittle; intercept five, win title 14-10". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 30, 1963. p. 8.
^ The Best Show in Football:The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns, p.294, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007,
ISBN 978-1-58979-360-6
^ "Happy Birthday George Halas". Chicago Bears. January 31, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-02-19. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
^ The List: Best NFL defense of all-time, 2007
^ 1963 Draft at Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2013-Dec-08.
^ Chicago Bears media guide. Retrieved 2015-Aug-23.
^ "Team photo". Chicago Tribune. December 14, 1963. p. 1, section 2.
^ "TV numbers". Chicago Tribune. December 29, 1963. p. 2, section 2.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Nov-30.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Dec-04.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Dec-06.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Dec-08.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
^ Coppock, Chet (December 27, 2013). "Bears defeat Giants 14–10 for 1963 championship". Chicago Bears. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
NFL Record and Fact Book (
ISBN 978-1-932994-36-0)