What if the Super Bowl began in 1960? Super Bowl III Packers v.s Texans 1962!

So far the NFL has dominated this series with the young AFL. Around the country sports reporters are starting to ask whether the game should even be played or not?

The Green Bay Packers return to the big game after once again beating the New York Giants once again in the NFL Championship game. The Oilers lost a overtime classic to the Dallas Texans, meaning the AFL would be sending new blood to test themselves against the seemingly invincible Packers.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

The club posted a 13–1 record under coach Vince Lombardi, earning them a first-place finish in the Western Conference. The Packers ended the season by defeating the New York Giants 16–7 in the NFL Championship Game, the Packers second consecutive defeat of the Giants in the championship game. This marked the Packers’ eighth NFL World Championship.

The Packers averaged almost 30 points a game on offense lead by running back Jim Taylor’s almost 1,500 yards on the ground. Boyd Dowler and Max Mcgee combined for almost 100 receptions. Of course you can’t forget that the Packers had one of the greatest offensive lines in history also.

Defensively they gave up a little over 10 points a game and held opponents to less than 10 points in 8 out of their 15 games. They were led by Willie Wood’s 9 interceptions and Herb Adderley’s 7 interceptions.

Green Bay Packers Beats New York Giants In 1962 NFL Championship Game December 30, 1962

DALLAS TEXANS

The Texans won their first AFL championship (and only title in Dallas) when they defeated their intrastate rivals, the two-time defending champion Houston Oilers, 20–17 in double overtime—a game which now stands as the second longest game in pro football history and the longest in AFL history.

Coach Hank Stram was named the AFL Coach of the Year and RB Curtis McClinton (Kansas) was named AFL Rookie of the Year. Abner Haynes became the franchise’s first 1,000-yard rusher, concluding the season with 1,049 yards and an AFL-high 13 rushing TDs. Haynes helped lead the Texans to average 27 points a game. Len Dawson led the passing attack with 29 touchdowns.

Defensively the Texans allowed 17 points per game, Bobby Hunt contributed 8 interceptions and Bobby Ply accounted for 7 interceptions.

This was probably the best AFL team to play in this game to date.

1962 – Texans vs. Oilers AFL Championship

THE GAME

The game like the year before will hinge on how the Texans very young offensive and defensive lines will stack up against the Packers? Both teams had hall of fame Quarterbacks, great running games. The Packers had the better receivers and of course had been here before. The Packers are favored by 24 points and at first glance the spread looks right, but you never know what could happen when the game starts.

THE OUTCOME

The Packers take the opening kickoff and drive 72 yards on 12 plays to take a quick 7-0 lead. The Texans strike back quickly when Abner Haynes breaks a 45 yard run down to the 10. The Packers defense holds the Texans to a field goal and the first quarter ends 7-3 in favor of Green Bay.

The only action in the second half is QB Bart Starr hooking up with WR Boyd Dowler on a 35 yard TD pass towards the end of the first half. At halftime the Packers lead 14-3.

Willie Wood intercepts a pass on Dawson’s first attempt of the second half. The ensuing drive ends in a short field goal by the Packers, stretching the lead to 17-3. The Texans drive down the field and Len Dawson hooks up with Texans TE Fred Arbanas on a 15 yard TD pass. The third quarter ends with the Packers surprisingly only leading the Chiefs 17-10.

For the first time in Super Bowl history the title is in doubt heading into the 4th quarter. The Packers offensive line leads them on a 14 play 75 yard drive that ends in a Jim Taylor touchdown run from 5 yards out. The Packers now lead 24-10 and the Texans are getting desperate with just a little over eight minutes left in the 4th Quarter. The Texans offensive line who have done a very good job all night have their first breakdown of the game as Willie Davis sacks Len Dawson at the 15 and Dawson fumbles, Ray Nitschke recovers at the 10 yard line.

The Texans hold the Packers to a field goal and now trail 27-10. The Texans mount a last minute drive that ends in a Herb Adderley interception in the end zone to end the game. The Texans had put up a valiant effort, but had come up short. The Packers for the second straight year were Super Bowl Champions.

Jim Taylor is named Super Bowl MVP with 21 carries for 127 yards and 2 TD’s.

NEXT UP SUPER BOWL IV Chicago Bears v.s San Diego Chargers