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1963 Chicago Bears season

1963 Chicago Bears season
OwnerGeorge Halas
General managerGeorge Halas, Jr.
Head coachGeorge Halas
Home fieldWrigley Field
Results
Record11–1–2
Division place1st Western
Playoff finishWon NFL Championship
(vs. Giants) 14–10

The 1963 Chicago Bears season was their 44th regular season and 12th post-season appearance in the National Football League. The team finished with an 11–1–2 record (the best of the 4th and final Halas era) 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 the opportunity to play for 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 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."

  1. ^ Strickler, George (December 29, 1963). "Bears battle Giants for title today". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 2.
  2. ^ Hand, Jack (December 29, 1963). "Offensive Giants, defensive Bears in NFL finale". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. 1, sports.
  3. ^ Strickler, George (September 16, 1963). "Bears shatter Packers' invincibility". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 3.
  4. ^ Strickler, George (November 18, 1963). "Here's how Bears won". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 1.
  5. ^ Strickler, George (December 30, 1963). "Bears the champions! Win, 14–10". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 1.
  6. ^ Sell, Jack (December 30, 1963). "Bears stop Giants, win NFL title". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. pp. 1, 18.
  7. ^ Livingston, Pat (December 30, 1963). "Bears open 'screen' door to title". Pittsburgh Press. p. 18.
  8. ^ "Papa's polar Bears whittle Tittle; intercept five, win title 14–10". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 30, 1963. p. 8.
  9. ^ The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns, p. 294, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007, ISBN 978-1-58979-360-6
  10. ^ "Happy Birthday George Halas". Chicago Bears. January 31, 2014. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  11. ^ The List: Best NFL defense of all-time, 2007
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