We are at the Green Bay Packers’ practice on Wednesday, December 22, 1965, as our team prepares to meet the Baltimore Colts in the Western Conference Championship. The game would be played the following Sunday at Lambeau Field. According to the Packers’ current media guide: “Don Chandler’s game-winning field goal, at 13:39 of sudden death, ended the Packers’ first-ever overtime game, and their only such Playoff contest until 2003. His 25-yard kick sent Green Bay to the NFL championship, after both the Colts and Packers ended the regular season 10-3-1. “Chandler’s first field goal, a game-tying 22-yarder with 1:58 in regulation, remains controversial. Baltimore loyalists, led by coach Don Shula, claimed it sailed wide right. The kick, which flew high above the upright, actually triggered the League to extend the goal posts’ height for the following season.
“The Colts, playing without starting quarterback Johnny Unitas (knee) and his backup gary Cuozzo (dislocated shoulder), used halfback Tom Matte as a fill-in. Matte completed only five passes, but did gain 57 yards rushing.”
