It was 50 years ago today, on Jan. 2, 1966, that Green Bay defeated the Browns 23-12 in the 1965 NFL Championship Game.
But as much as the Packers, it was Mother Nature who bested head coach Blanton Collier’s team that day at Lambeau Field.
Staying in Appleton, Wis., about 50 miles away, the night before the game, the defending NFL champion Browns went to bed with the satisfaction of knowing that the dry, clear weather would be to their liking. It would provide a fast track, which would dovetail with their advantage in speed and finesse to give them an edge in the game.
But instead, they woke up to discover a winter wonderland. A wet, heavy snow had fallen, turning the field into a muddy mess, thus hurting the Browns and helping the Packers, who were stronger and more powerful. The weather had turned so bad, in fact, that the Browns got to the stadium just 90 minutes before the game.
The Packers were mudders and used it to rush for 211 yards, split almost evenly before their two Pro Football Hall of Fame backs, Paul Hornung, who carried 18 times for 105 yards, and Jim Taylor (27-96).
Meanwhile, the greatest player at any position in the sport’s history, Cleveland fullback Jim Brown, slogged his way to just 50 yards in 12 carries in what turned out to be his final game with the team. Brown was actually more impactful as a receiver, leading the Browns with three catches for 44 yards.
Quarterback Frank Ryan, who was one of the big heroes of the Browns’ 27-0 victory over the Baltimore Colts to capture the 1964 league title by throwing three touchdown passes, was far from that this time, completing just 8 of 18 attempts for 115 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions.
Green Bay’s Bart Starr wasn’t much better, hitting on 10 of 18 tries for 147 yards and a TD with one interception, but, with that running attack, he didn’t have to be great.
The Browns got off to a good start, overcoming a touchdown deficit to lead 9-7 after one quarter on Lou Groza’s 24-yard field goal and Ryan’s 17-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Gary Collins, who caught all of the quarterback’s TD passes against Baltimore. The Browns missed the extra point, with Groza not even getting a chance to kick, because of a bad snap and placement.
Groza did get an opportunity to try a 28-yard field goal, and hit it, in the second quarter as Cleveland trailed 13-12 at halftime.
But it was all Packers – and Mother Nature — in the second half.
