Because the Green Bay Packers (10-3-1) and Baltimore Colts (10-3-1) ended up tied in the Western Conference standings after the regular season ended, a conference playoff game was held in Green Bay. Although the Packers had defeated the Colts in both of their games in 1965 — including a meeting just two weeks before — there were no tiebreaking rules at the time. In the playoff game, both Colts starting quarterback Johnny Unitas and backup Gary Cuozzo could not play, so Baltimore was forced to use Tom Matte, normally a running back, as the starting quarterback.
Baltimore held a 10-0 halftime lead, scoring 21 seconds into the game when linebacker Don Shinnick returned a Bill Anderson fumble 25 yards for a touchdown. Bart Starr, in pursuit, injured his ribs on the play, Green Bay's first from scrimmage. Zeke Bratkowski replaced Starr for the balance of the afternoon, completing 22-of-39 passes for 248 yards. The Packers moved to within 10-7 in the third quarter when Paul Hornung scored on a 1-yard run, setting the stage for Chandler's heroics.
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. Chandler’s game-winning field goal (seen above), 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 N.F.L. championship.
We now present Sports Illustrated’s coverage of the 1965 Western Conference Playoff:
Then, there was a preview of the coming N.F.L. title game with the Cleveland Browns:
Another interesting tidbit in the magazine that issue was the above story on future Packer running back Donny Anderson.
For your reference, the cover of the issue featured the recently completed college bowl games after the 1965 NCAA season.
After the game, a delighted head coach Vince Lombardi congratulates kicker Don Chandler in the Lambeau Field locker room.
