Login
Login

1963 Chicago Bears season

{{short description|NFL team season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NFL team season

| team = Chicago Bears

| year = 1963

| record = 11–1–2

| division_place = 1st Western

| coach = George Halas

| general manager = George Halas, Jr.

| owner = George Halas

| uniform =

| stadium = Wrigley Field

| playoffs = Won NFL Championship
(vs. Giants) 14–10

| shortnavlink = Bears seasons

}}

The {{nfly|1963}} Chicago Bears season was their 44th regular season and 12th post-season appearance in the National Football League. The team finished with an {{nowrap|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 {{nowrap|(11–3–0).{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/29/page/34/article/bears-battle-giants-for-title-today |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |last=Strickler |first=George |title=Bears battle Giants for title today |date=December 29, 1963 |page=1, section 2}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TpApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7006%2C4310614 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Hand |first=Jack |agency=Associated Press |title=Offensive Giants, defensive Bears in NFL finale |date=December 29, 1963 |page=1, sports}}}}

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.{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/09/16/page/67/article/bears-shatter-packers-invincibility |work=Chicago Tribune |last=Strickler |first=George |title=Bears shatter Packers' invincibility |date=September 16, 1963 |page=1, section 3}}{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/11/18/page/1/article/heres-how-bears-won|work=Chicago Tribune |last=Strickler |first=George |title=Here's how Bears won |date=November 18, 1963 |page=1, section 1}} 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 {{nowrap|George Halas.{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/30/page/37/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |last=Strickler |first=George |title=Bears the champions! Win, 14–10 |date=December 30, 1963 |page=1, section 1}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fsZaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OmwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6087%2C4635895 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |last=Sell |first=Jack |title=Bears stop Giants, win NFL title |date=December 30, 1963 |pages=1, 18 }}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zcAbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_U4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7335%2C3493627 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Press |last=Livingston |first=Pat |title=Bears open 'screen' door to title |date=December 30, 1963 |page=18}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T5ApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4654%2C4538674 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Papa's polar Bears whittle Tittle; intercept five, win title 14–10 |date=December 30, 1963 |page=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;The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns, p. 294, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007, {{ISBN|978-1-58979-360-6}} the defense also allowed only 144 points, formerly an NFL record.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/photo-gallery/Happy-Birthday-George-Halas/042c2e9c-a874-487b-abf5-624b5c732dd3|title=Happy Birthday George Halas|work=Chicago Bears|date=January 31, 2014|access-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219232303/http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/photo-gallery/Happy-Birthday-George-Halas/042c2e9c-a874-487b-abf5-624b5c732dd3|archive-date=2014-02-19|url-status=dead}}

In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1963 Bears as the ninth-greatest defense in NFL history,[https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/bestNFLdefense.html The List: Best NFL defense of all-time, 2007] 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."

Offseason

=NFL draft=

{{main|1963 NFL draft}}

{{NFL team draft start

| year = 1963

| teamname = Chicago Bears

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 1

| pick = 11

| player = Dave Behrman

| position = C

| college = Michigan State

| notes = Pick from trade with PIT

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 2

| pick = 20

| player = Steve Barnett

| position = T

| college = Oregon

| notes = Pick from trade with DAL

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 2

| pick = 25

| player = Bob Jencks

| position = E

| college = Miami (OH)

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 3

| pick = 38

| player = Larry Glueck

| position = DB

| college = Villanova

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 4

| pick = 49

| player = Stan Sanders

| position = E

| college = Whittier

| notes = Pick from trade with SF

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 4

| pick = 52

| player = Charley Mitchell

| position = HB

| college = Washington

| notes = Pick from trade with PIT

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 6

| pick = 80

| player = John Johnson

| position = T

| college = Indiana

| notes = Pick from trade with PIT

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 6

| pick = 81

| player = Dave Mathieson

| position = QB

| college = Washington State

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 7

| pick = 94

| player = Paul Underhill

| position = B

| college = Missouri

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 8

| pick = 109

| player = Dennis Harmon

| position = DB

| college = Southern Illinois

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 9

| pick = 118

| player = Monte Day

| position = T

| college = Fresno State

| notes = Pick from trade with DAL

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 9

| pick = 122

| player = Dave Watson

| position = LB

| college = Georgia Tech

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 10

| pick = 137

| player = Ed Hoerster

| position = LB

| college = Notre Dame

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 11

| pick = 150

| player = James Tullis

| position = DB

| college = Florida A&M

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 12

| pick = 165

| player = Dick Drummond

| position = B

| college = George Washington

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 13

| pick = 178

| player = John Szumcyk

| position = B

| college = Trinity (CT)

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 14

| pick = 193

| player = Gordan Banks

| position = B

| college = Fisk

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 15

| pick = 206

| player = Bob Dentel

| position = C/LB

| college = Miami (FL)

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 16

| pick = 221

| player = Lowell Caylor

| position = DB

| college = Miami (OH)

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 17

| pick = 234

| player = John Sisk

| position = B

| college = Miami (FL)

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 18

| pick = 249

| player = Jeff Slabaugh

| position = E

| college = Indiana

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 19

| pick = 262

| player = Bob Yaksick

| position = DB

| college = Rutgers

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 20

| pick = 277

| player = John Gregory

| position = E

| college = Baldwin-Wallace

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft end}}

Source:[http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.aspx?release_id=1453 1963 Draft at Pro Football Hall of Fame]. Retrieved 2013-Dec-08.

Personnel

=Coaches=

=Roster=

{{NFL final roster

| year = 1963

| team = Chicago Bears

| Active =

| Inactive =

| PS =

| quarterbacks =

| running_backs =

| wide_receivers =

| tight_ends =

| offensive_linemen =

| defensive_linemen =

| linebackers =

| defensive_backs =

| special_teams =

|reserve_lists =

|practice_squad =

}}

  • Team photo{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/14/page/41/article/pros-open-week-end-of-decision-today |work=Chicago Tribune |title=Team photo |date=December 14, 1963 |page=1, section 2}}
  • Rosters - 1963 NFL title game{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/29/page/35/article/schalk-top-catcher |work=Chicago Tribune |title=TV numbers |date=December 29, 1963|page=2, section 2}}

Preseason

=Schedule=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Week

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Date

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Time (Central Time Zone)

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Opponent

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Result

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Record

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Venue

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| TV

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Attendance

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Recap

style="background:#cfc"

! 1

| {{dow tooltip|August 10, 1963}}

|

| vs. New York Giants
{{small|(at Ithaca, NY)}}

| W 17–7

| 1–0

| South Hill Field

|

|

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| {{dow tooltip|August 15, 1963}}

|

| at Washington Redskins

| W 28–26

| 2–0

| D.C. Stadium

|

|

|

style="background:#fcc"

! 3

| {{dow tooltip|August 24, 1963}}

| 7:55 p.m.

| vs. Green Bay Packers
{{small|(at Milwaukee, WI)}}

| L 7–26

| 2–1

| Milwaukee County Stadium

| WBBM-TV

| 44,592

|

style="background:#fcc"

! 4

| {{dow tooltip|August 31, 1963}}

|

| St. Louis Cardinals

| L 3–7

| 2–2

| Soldier Field

|

|

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 5

| {{dow tooltip|September 7, 1963}}

|

| Baltimore Colts
{{small|(at New Orleans, LA)}}

| W 14–7

| 3–2

| Tulane Stadium

|

|

|

=Game summaries=

==Week P3: (Saturday, August 24, 1963): vs. [[1963 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]==

Regular season

=Schedule=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Week

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Date

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Time (Central Time Zone)

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Opponent

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Result

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Record

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Venue

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| TV

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Attendance

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"| Recap

style="background:#cfc"

! 1

| {{dow tooltip|September 15, 1963}}

| 1:00 p.m.

| at Green Bay Packers

| W 10–3

| 1–0

| City Stadium

| CBS

| 42,327

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| {{dow tooltip|September 22, 1963}}

| 1:30 p.m.

| at Minnesota Vikings

| W 28–7

| 2–0

| Metropolitan Stadium

| CBS

| 33,923

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 3

| September 29

| 12:30 p.m.

| at Detroit Lions

| W 37–21

| 3–0

| Tiger Stadium

| CBS

| 55,400

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 4

| October 6

| 1:00 p.m.

| Baltimore Colts

| W 10–3

| 4–0

| Wrigley Field

| CBS

| 48,998

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 5

| October 13

| 3:30 p.m.

| at Los Angeles Rams

| W 52–14

| 5–0

| Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

| CBS

| 40,476

|

style="background:#fcc"

! 6

| October 20

| 3:30 p.m.

| at San Francisco 49ers

| L 14–20

| 5–1

| Kezar Stadium

| CBS

| 35,837

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 7

| October 27

| 1:00 p.m.

| Philadelphia Eagles

| W 16–7

| 6–1

| Wrigley Field

| CBS

| 48,514

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 8

| November 3

| 1:00 p.m.

| at Baltimore Colts

| W 17–7

| 7–1

| Memorial Stadium

| CBS

| 60,065

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 9

| November 10

| 1:00 p.m.

| Los Angeles Rams

| W 6–0

| 8–1

| Wrigley Field

| CBS

| 48,312

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 10

| {{dow tooltip|November 17, 1963}}

| 1:00 p.m.

| Green Bay Packers

|W 26–7

| 9–1

| Wrigley Field

| CBS

| 49,166

|

style="background:#ffc"

! 11

| November 24

| 1:00 p.m.

| at Pittsburgh Steelers

| T 17–17

| 9–1–1

| Forbes Field

| CBS

| 36,465

|

style="background:#ffc"

! 12

| {{dow tooltip|December 1, 1963}}

| 1:00 p.m.

| Minnesota Vikings

| T 17–17

| 9–1–2

| Wrigley Field

| CBS

| 47,249

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 13

| December 8

| 1:00 p.m.

| San Francisco 49ers

| W 27–7

| 10–1–2

| Wrigley Field

| CBS

| 46,994

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 14

| December 15

| 1:00 p.m.

| Detroit Lions

| W 24–14

| 11–1–2

| Wrigley Field

| CBS

| 45,317

|

=Game summaries=

==Week 1 (Sunday, September 15, 1963): at [[1963 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]==

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 1: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

|date=September 15, 1963

|time=1:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Bears (1–0)

|R1=3 |R2=0 |R3=7 |R4=0

|home=Packers (0–1)

|H1=3 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=0

|stadium=City Stadium • Green Bay, Wisconsin

|attendance=42,327

|weather={{Convert|54|F|C}}, relative humidity 76%, wind 7 mph

|referee=Art McNally

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196309150gnb.htm Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – September 15, 1963]{{cite book |author= |title=Chicago Bears 2023 Media Guide |publisher=Chicago Bears |page=375 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = Chicago Bears

| VisitorDisplay = CHI

| Home = Green Bay Packers

| HomeDisplay = GB

| VisPasser = Bill Wade

| VisPassStats = 18/24, 129 YDS, 1 INT

| VisRusher = Rick Casares

| VisRushStats = 5 CAR, 27 YDS

| VisReceiver = Ronnie Bull

| VisReceivingStats = 6 REC, 48 YDS

| HomePasser = Bart Starr

| HomePassStats = 11/22, 83 YDS, 4 INTs

| HomeRusher = Jim Taylor

| HomeRushStats = 12 CAR, 53 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Ron Kramer

| HomeReceivingStats = 3 REC, 35 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=CHI|HomeName=GB|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=32

| Kicker=Jencks

| Visitor=3

| Home=0

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=

| Team=Packers

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=41

| Kicker=Kramer

| Visitor=3

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Marconi

| yards=1

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Jencks

| Visitor=10

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=10|Home=3}}

class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
style="width:30%;" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"|Bears

! style="width:40%;"|Game Statistics

! style="width:30%;" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers|year=1963|border=2}}"|Packers

style="text-align:right;"|15

! First downs

| 9

style="text-align:right;"|35–107

! Rushes–yards

| 21–77

style="text-align:right;"|129

! Passing yards

| 83

style="text-align:right;"|18–24–1

! {{Abbr|Passes|Completions–Attempts–Interceptions}}

| 11–22–4

style="text-align:right;"|1–5

! Sacked–yards

| 1–10

style="text-align:right;"|124

! Net passing yards

| 73

style="text-align:right;"|231

! Total yards

| 150

style="text-align:right;"|84

! Return yards

| 101

style="text-align:right;"|5–43.8

! {{Abbr|Punts|Number–Average yardage}}

| 5–48.6

style="text-align:right;"|1–1

! Fumbles–lost

| 1–1

style="text-align:right;"|5–50

! Penalties–yards

| 6–58

Individual stats

class="wikitable"
colspan="9" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Passing
!C/ATT1

!Yds

!TD

!INT

!Sk

!Yds

!LG3

!Rate

Wade

|18/24

|129

|0

|1

|1

|5

|22

|69.6

class="wikitable"
colspan="5" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Rushing
!Car2

!Yds

!TD

!LG3

Casares

|5

|27

|0

|13

Wade

|8

|26

|0

|12

Bull

|12

|23

|0

|10

Marconi

|9

|23

|1

|9

Galimore

|1

|8

|0

|8

class="wikitable"
colspan="5" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Receiving
!Rec4

!Yds

!TD

!LG3

Bull

|6

|48

|0

|22

Marconi

|4

|27

|0

|16

Casares

|4

|11

|0

|4

Farrington

|1

|15

|0

|15

Morris

|1

|15

|0

|15

Ditka

|1

|12

|0

|12

Galimore

|1

|1

|0

|1

class="wikitable"
colspan="6" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Kick Returns
!Ret

!Yds

!Y/Rt

!TD

!Lng

Marconi

|1

|15

|15.0

|0

|15

Casares

|1

|10

|10/0

|0

|10

class="wikitable"
colspan="6" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Punt Returns
!Ret

!Yds

!Y/Rt

!TD

!Lng

Taylor

|2

|19

|9.5

|0

|0

Morris

|2

|12

|6.0

|0

|0

class="wikitable"
colspan="6" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Punting
!Pnt

!Yds

!Y/P

!Lng

!Blck

Green

|5

|219

|43.8

|

|

class="wikitable"
colspan="4" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Kicking
!XPM–XPA

!FGM–FGA

!MFG

Jencks

|1–1

|1–2

|

class="wikitable"
colspan="6" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Interceptions
!Int

!Yds

!TD

!LG

!PD

Petitbon

|1

|19

|0

|19

|

Taylor

|1

|5

|0

|5

|

George

|1

|4

|0

|4

|

Whitsell

|1

|0

|0

|0

|

==Week 2 (Sunday, September 22, 1963): at [[1963 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]==

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 2: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

|date=September 22, 1963

|time=1:30 p.m. CDT

|road=Bears (2–0)

|R1=7 |R2=7 |R3=0 |R4=14

|home=Vikings (1–1)

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=0

|stadium=Metropolitan Stadium • Bloomington, Minnesota

|attendance=33,923

|weather={{Convert|51|F|C}}, relative humidity 78%, wind 9 mph

|referee=Harry Brubaker

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196309220min.htm Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – September 22, 1963]{{cite book |author= |title=Chicago Bears 2023 Media Guide |publisher=Chicago Bears |page=375 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = Chicago Bears

| VisitorDisplay = CHI

| Home = Minnesota Vikings

| HomeDisplay = MIN

| VisPasser = Bill Wade

| VisPassStats = 23/32, 253 YDS, 3 TDs

| VisRusher = Ronnie Bull

| VisRushStats = 14 CAR, 53 YDS

| VisReceiver = Mike Ditka

| VisReceivingStats = 8 REC, 124 YDS, 2 TDs

| HomePasser = Fran Tarkenton

| HomePassStats = 13/22, 167 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs

| HomeRusher = Tommy Mason

| HomeRushStats = 11 CAR, 60 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Ray Poage

| HomeReceivingStats = 5 REC, 67 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=CHI|HomeName=MIN|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Bull

| QB=Wade

| yards=24

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Jencks

| Visitor=7

| Home=0

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=

| Team=Vikings

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Reichlow

| QB=Tarkenton

| yards=24

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cox

| Visitor=14

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Ditka

| QB=Wade

| yards=36

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Jencks

| Visitor=14

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Wade

| yards=1

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Jencks

| Visitor=21

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Ditka

| QB=Wade

| yards=10

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Jencks

| Visitor=28

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=28|Home=7}}

class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
style="width:30%;" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"|Bears

! style="width:40%;"|Game Statistics

! style="width:30%;" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1963|border=2}}"|Vikings

style="text-align:right;"|24

! First downs

| 20

style="text-align:right;"|27–106

! Rushes–yards

| 34–152

style="text-align:right;"|253

! Passing yards

| 197

style="text-align:right;"|23–33–0

! {{Abbr|Passes|Completions–Attempts–Interceptions}}

| 16–27–3

style="text-align:right;"|0–0

! Sacked–yards

| 2–23

style="text-align:right;"|253

! Net passing yards

| 174

style="text-align:right;"|359

! Total yards

| 326

style="text-align:right;"|34

! Return yards

| 85

style="text-align:right;"|1–44.0

! {{Abbr|Punts|Number–Average yardage}}

| 2–35.0

style="text-align:right;"|1–1

! Fumbles–lost

| 4–2

style="text-align:right;"|8–75

! Penalties–yards

| 5–55

==Week 3 at Lions==

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week Three: Chicago Bears (2–0) at Detroit Lions (1–1)

|date=September 29, 1963

|time=

|road=Bears

|R1= 7|R2=28 |R3= 0|R4=2

|home=Lions

|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3= 14|H4=7

|stadium=Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=55,400

|weather={{Convert|54|F|C}}

|referee=

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196309290det.htm Box Score]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • CHI – Johnny Morris 16-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 14–0.
  • CHI – Mike Ditka 13-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 21–0.
  • CHI – Richie Petitbon 66-yard interception return (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 28–0.
  • CHI – Bill Wade 1-yard run (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 35–0.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • CHI – Safety, Earl Morrall tackled by Doug Atkins in end zone. Bears 37–14.
  • DET – Gail Cogdill 38-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Wayne Walker kick). Bears 37–21.

|stats=

;Top passers

;Top rushers

;Top receivers

}}

==Week 4 vs Colts==

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week Four: Baltimore Colts (1–2) at Chicago Bears (3–0)

|date=October 6, 1963

|time=

|road=Colts

|R1=0 |R2=0 |R3=3 |R4=0

|home=Bears

|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=10

|stadium=Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

|attendance=48,998

|weather={{Convert|73|F|C}}

|referee=

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196310060chi.htm Box Score]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • No scoring

Second quarter

  • No scoring

Third quarter

  • BAL – Jim Martin 16-yard field goal. Colts 3–0.

Fourth quarter

|stats=

;Top passers

;Top rushers

;Top receivers

}}

==Week 5==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bears

|V1=7|V2=21 |V3=3 |V4=21

|Host=Rams

|H1= 0|H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=7

|Date=October 13

|Location=Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather={{convert|66|F}}; wind 9 mph

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=Q1 |Time= |Team=CHI |Event=Ditka 13 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) |Score=CHI 7–0 |LastEntry=}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry= |Quarter= Q2|Time= |Team= CHI|Event=McRae 35 yard interception return (Jencks kick) |Score=CHI 14–0 |LastEntry=}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry= |Quarter= Q2|Time= |Team=LA |Event=Phillips 10 yard pass from Bratkowski (Villanueva kick) |Score=CHI 14–7 |LastEntry=}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry= |Quarter= Q2|Time= |Team= CHI|Event= Ditka 25 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) |Score=CHI 21–7 |LastEntry=}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry= |Quarter= Q2|Time= |Team= CHI|Event= Ditka 2 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) |Score= CHI 28–7|LastEntry=}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry= |Quarter= Q3|Time= |Team= CHI|Event= LeClerc 31 yard field goal |Score= CHI 31–7|LastEntry=}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry= |Quarter= Q4|Time= |Team=LA |Event= Bass 4 yard run (Villanueva kick) |Score=CHI 31–14 |LastEntry=}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry= |Quarter= Q4|Time= |Team=CHI |Event= Ditka 14 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) |Score= CHI 38–14|LastEntry=}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry= |Quarter= Q4|Time= |Team=CHI |Event=Galimore 2 yard run (Jencks kick) |Score=CHI 45–14 |LastEntry=}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry= |Quarter=Q4 |Time= |Team=CHI |Event=Farrington 17 yard pass from Bukich (Jencks kick) |Score=CHI 52–14 |LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196310130ram.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Dec-08.

{{Clear}}

==Week 6==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bears

|V1=0 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=7

|Host=49ers

|H1=10 |H2=7 |H3= 3|H4=0

|Date=October 20

|Location=Kezar Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196310200sfo.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

==Week 7==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Eagles

|V1=0 |V2=7 |V3= 0|V4=0

|Host=Bears

|H1=10 |H2=0 |H3=6 |H4=0

|Date=October 27

|Location=Wrigley Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196310270chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

==Week 8==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bears

|V1= 7|V2=0 |V3=7 |V4=3

|Host=Colts

|H1= 0|H2=0 |H3=7 |H4=0

|Date=November 3

|Location=Memorial Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196311030clt.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

==Week 9==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Rams

|V1= 0|V2= 0|V3= 0|V4=0

|Host=Bears

|H1= 3|H2=0 |H3= 3|H4=0

|Date=November 10

|Location=Wrigley Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196311100chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

==Week 10 (Sunday, November 17, 1963): vs. [[1963 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]==

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 10: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – Game summary

|date=November 17, 1963

|time=1:00 p.m. CST

|road=Packers (8–2)

|R1=0 |R2=0 |R3=0 |R4=7

|home=Bears (9–1)

|H1=13 |H2=0 |H3=3 |H4=10

|stadium=Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois

|attendance=49,166

|weather={{Convert|62|F|C}}, relative humidity 74%, wind 16 mph

|referee=Tom Bell

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196311170chi.htm Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – November 17, 1963]{{cite book |author= |title=Chicago Bears 2023 Media Guide |publisher=Chicago Bears |page=375 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = Green Bay Packers

| VisitorDisplay = GB

| Home = Chicago Bears

| HomeDisplay = CHI

| VisPasser = John Roach

| VisPassStats = 8/20, 92 YDS, 2 INTs

| VisRusher = Tom Moore

| VisRushStats = 12 CAR, 50 YDS, 1 TD

| VisReceiver = Max McGee

| VisReceivingStats = 3 REC, 93 YDS

| HomePasser = Bill Wade

| HomePassStats = 6/14, 92 YDS

| HomeRusher = Willie Galimore

| HomeRushStats = 14 CAR, 79 YDS, 1 TD

| HomeReceiver = Mike Ditka

| HomeReceivingStats = 2 REC, 32 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=GB|HomeName=CHI|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=29

| Kicker=LeClerc

| Visitor=0

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=46

| Kicker=LeClerc

| Visitor=0

| Home=6

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Galimore

| yards=27

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Jencks

| Visitor=0

| Home=13

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=19

| Kicker=LeClerc

| Visitor=0

| Home=16

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=35

| Kicker=LeClerc

| Visitor=0

| Home=19

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Wade

| yards=5

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Jencks

| Visitor=0

| Home=26

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=Packers

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Moore

| yards=11

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Kramer

| Visitor=7

| Home=26

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=7|Home=26}}

class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
style="width:30%;" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers|year=1963|border=2}}"|Packers

! style="width:40%;"|Game Statistics

! style="width:30%;" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"|Bears

style="text-align:right;"|16

! First downs

| 19

style="text-align:right;"|20–71

! Rushes–yards

| 57–248

style="text-align:right;"|178

! Passing yards

| 92

style="text-align:right;"|11–30–5

! {{Abbr|Passes|Completions–Attempts–Interceptions}}

| 6–14–0

style="text-align:right;"|2–17

! Sacked–yards

| 3–23

style="text-align:right;"|161

! Net passing yards

| 69

style="text-align:right;"|232

! Total yards

| 317

style="text-align:right;"|101

! Return yards

| 63

style="text-align:right;"|5–38.8

! {{Abbr|Punts|Number–Average yardage}}

| 3–47.0

style="text-align:right;"|2–2

! Fumbles–lost

| 0–0

style="text-align:right;"|6–65

! Penalties–yards

| 11–97

Individual stats

class="wikitable"
colspan="9" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Passing
!C/ATT1

!Yds

!TD

!INT

!Sk

!Yds

!LG3

!Rate

Wade

|6/14

|92

|0

|0

|3

|23

|28

|65.2

class="wikitable"
colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Rushing
!Car2

!Yds

!TD

!LG3

Galimore

|14

|79

|1

|27

Marconi

|14

|52

|0

|9

Casares

|11

|44

|0

|7

Bull

|4

|30

|0

|14

Wade

|4

|28

|1

|3

Bivins

|8

|15

|0

|10

Bukich

|1

|2

|0

|2

Coia

|1

|–2

|0

|–2

class="wikitable"
colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Receiving
!Rec4

!Yds

!TD

!LG3

Ditka

|2

|32

|0

|16

Coia

|2

|26

|0

|14

Marconi

|1

|28

|0

|28

Casares

|1

|6

|0

|6

class="wikitable"
colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Kick Returns
!Ret

!Yds

!Y/Rt

!TD

!Lng

Pyle

|1

|0

|0.0

|0

|0

class="wikitable"
colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Punting
!Pnt

!Yds

!Y/P

!Lng

!Blck

Green

|3

|141

|47.0

|0

|

class="wikitable"
colspan="4" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Kicking
!XPM–XPA

!FGM–FGA

!MFG

LeClerc

|

|4–7

|

Jencks

|2–2

|

|

class="wikitable"
colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}};" |Bears Interceptions
!Int

!Yds

!TD

!LG

!PD

Taylor

|2

|8

|0

|0

|

McRae

|1

|44

|0

|44

|

Petitbon

|1

|11

|0

|11

|

Whitsell

|1

|0

|0

|0

|

==Week 11==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bears

|V1=7 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=3

|Host=Steelers

|H1= 0|H2=14 |H3=0 |H4=3

|Date=November 24

|Location=Forbes Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196311240pit.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

==Week 12 (Sunday, December 1, 1963): vs. [[1963 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]==

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary

|date=December 1, 1963

|time=1:00 p.m. CST

|road=Vikings (4–7–1)

|R1=3 |R2=14 |R3=0 |R4=0

|home=Bears (9–1–2)

|H1=3 |H2=0 |H3=7 |H4=7

|stadium=Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois

|attendance=47,249

|weather={{Convert|23|F|C}}, relative humidity 72%, wind 10 mph, wind chill {{Convert|13|F|C}}

|referee=Tony Skover

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196312010chi.htm Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – December 1, 1963]

{{cite book |author= |title=Chicago Bears 2023 Media Guide |publisher=Chicago Bears |page=375 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = Minnesota Vikings

| VisitorDisplay = MIN

| Home = Chicago Bears

| HomeDisplay = CHI

| VisPasser = Ron Vander Kelen

| VisPassStats = 5/9, 116 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

| VisRusher = Tommy Mason

| VisRushStats = 19, CAR, 53 YDS

| VisReceiver = Gordon Smith

| VisReceivingStats = 2 REC, 83 YDS, 1 TD

| HomePasser = Bill Wade

| HomePassStats = 16/32, 164 YDS, 1 TD

| HomeRusher = Ronnie Bull

| HomeRushStats = 14 CAR, 31 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Mike Ditka

| HomeReceivingStats = 5 REC, 76 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=MIN|HomeName=CHI|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=

| Team=Vikings

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=16

| Kicker=Cox

| Visitor=3

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=16

| Kicker=LeClerc

| Visitor=3

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=

| Team=Vikings

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Wilson

| yards=2

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cox

| Visitor=10

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=

| Team=Vikings

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Smith

| QB=Vander Kelen

| yards=53

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cox

| Visitor=17

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Wade

| yards=1

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Jencks

| Visitor=17

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Marconi

| QB=Wade

| yards=8

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Jencks

| Visitor=17

| Home=17

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=17|Home=17}}

class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
style="width:30%;" style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1963|border=2}}"|Vikings

! style="width:40%;"|Game Statistics

! style="width:30%;" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1963|border=2}}"|Bears

style="text-align:right;"|9

! First downs

| 15

style="text-align:right;"|38–116

! Rushes–yards

| 33–67

style="text-align:right;"|120

! Passing yards

| 164

style="text-align:right;"|6–13–1

! {{Abbr|Passes|Completions–Attempts–Interceptions}}

| 16–32–0

style="text-align:right;"|4–34

! Sacked–yards

| 1–10

style="text-align:right;"|86

! Net passing yards

| 154

style="text-align:right;"|202

! Total yards

| 221

style="text-align:right;"|142

! Return yards

| 93

style="text-align:right;"|4–15.7

! {{Abbr|Punts|Number–Average yardage}}

| 7–52.4

style="text-align:right;"|4–3

! Fumbles–lost

| 4–3

style="text-align:right;"|3–26

! Penalties–yards

| 3–25

==Week 13==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=49ers

|V1=0 |V2= 7|V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Bears

|H1=14 |H2=0 |H3= 7|H4=6

|Date=December 8

|Location=Wrigley Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196312080chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

==Week 14==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Lions

|V1= 0|V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Bears

|H1= 3|H2=0 |H3=14 |H4=7

|Date=December 15

|Location=Wrigley Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196312150chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.

{{Clear}}

Standings

{{1963 NFL Western standings}}

NFL Championship

{{main|1963 NFL Championship Game}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Giants

|V1= 7|V2=3 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Bears

|H1=7 |H2=0 |H3=7 |H4=0

|Date=December 29

|Location=Wrigley Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=45,801

|Weather={{convert|4|F}}; wind 11 mph

|Referee=Norm Schachter

|TVAnnouncers=Jack Brickhouse, Chris Schenkel & George Connor

|TVStation=NBC

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=Q1 |Time=7:38 |Team=NYG |Event=Gifford 14 yard pass from Tittle (Chandler kick) |Score= NYG 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q1 |Time=0:16 |Team=CHI |Event= Wade 2 yard run (Jencks kick) |Score= Tie 7–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q2 |Time=9:49 |Team=NYG |Event= Chandler 13 yard field goal |Score= NYG 10–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time=2:12 |Team= CHI|Event=Wade 1 yard run (Jencks kick) |Score= CHI 14–10|LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Giants opened the scoring in the first quarter when quarterback Y. A. Tittle led New York on an 83-yard drive that was capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Frank Gifford. The drive was set up by Bears quarterback Bill Wade's fumble deep in Giants territory, which was recovered by former Bear Erich Barnes.{{cite web|last=Coppock|first=Chet|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-defeat-Giants-14-10-for-1963-championship/0ca6c209-c9c7-4289-9a13-daf99835eba6|title=Bears defeat Giants 14–10 for 1963 championship|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=December 27, 2013|access-date=December 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229025823/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-defeat-Giants-14-10-for-1963-championship/0ca6c209-c9c7-4289-9a13-daf99835eba6|archive-date=December 29, 2013|url-status=dead}} However, later in the first period, Tittle suffered an injury to his left knee when Larry Morris hit him during his throwing motion. For the rest of the game, Tittle would never be the same. Morris then intercepted Tittle's screen pass and returned the ball 61 yards to the Giants' 6-yard line. Two plays later, Wade scored a touchdown on a two-yard quarterback sneak to tie the game at 7.

In the second quarter, the Giants retook the lead, 10–7, on a 13-yard field goal. But on New York's next drive, Tittle re-injured his left knee on another hit by Morris. With Tittle out for two possessions, the Giants struggled, only able to advance 2 yards in 7 plays. New York coach Allie Sherman even punted on third down, showing no confidence in backup Glynn Griffing. However, the score remained 10–7 at halftime.

Tittle came back in the third period, but due to his injury, he was forced to throw off his back foot. An interception on a screen pass by the Bears' Ed O'Bradovich was brought deep into Giants territory, setting up Wade's 1-yard touchdown to give Chicago a 14–10 lead. The score held up, and the Bears iced the game on Richie Petitbon's interception in the end zone with 10 seconds left. It was Tittle's 5th interception. At the end of the game, defensive coordinator George Allen was given the game ball due to his defense's spectacular play.

After the game the Bears received the traveling Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy for the first time since 1946, and for the fifth and final time throughout its existence.{{cite web|url=https://www.packers.com/news/mystery-of-the-ed-thorp-memorial-trophy-solved|title=Mystery of the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy solved|work=Packers.com}} The also received an additional trophy Chicago’s Mayor Richard M. Daley named after recently assassinated John F. Kennedy, which is still on display at Halas Hall.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MicheleSteele/status/1169054853492072449|title=No Lombardi trophy in 1963 - no trophy at all for the NFL’s champs in ‘63 (a trophy didn’t exist.) So Chicago’s Mayor Daley made one himself for the Bears, who beat the Giants in a noon game at Wrigley Field. Named trophy after recently assassinated JFK. #HalasHall|work=X.com}}

{{Clear}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • Charles N. Billington, The 1963 Chicago Bears: George Halas and the Road to the NFL Championship. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 2023.
  • Maury Youmans and Gary Youmans, '63 : the Story of the 1963 World Championship Chicago Bears. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2004.

External links

  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXsjROYVAv8 1963 Chicago Bears season], YouTube.com/

{{Chicago Bears seasons}}

{{1963 Chicago Bears}}

{{Chicago Bears}}

{{1963 NFL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1963 Chicago Bears Season}}

Category:Chicago Bears seasons

Chicago Bears

Category:NFL championship seasons

Chicago Bears