1966 Green Bay Packers season
| 1966 Green Bay Packers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Green Bay Packers, Inc. |
| Head coach | Vince Lombardi |
| Home field | Lambeau Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 12–2 |
| League place | 1st NFL Western Conference |
The 1966 Green Bay Packers season was the franchise's 48th overall season and their 46th in the National Football League. Coached by Vince Lombardi, the Packers finished the regular season with a 12–2 record, winning the NFL Western Conference.
The team advanced to the NFL Championship Game and defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34–27 in Capitol Stadium, earning the NFL title. This season marked the Packers’ first appearance in the Super Bowl, as they went on to play in the inaugural Super Bowl I against the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL.
Offseason
Green Bay prepared for the season following their 1965 championship, focusing on maintaining the core roster under Lombardi’s leadership. Key players included Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, and Ray Nitschke.
Regular season
The Packers dominated the NFL Western Conference, finishing with a 12–2 record. Their strong defense, disciplined offense, and coaching excellence under Lombardi were key factors in their success.
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 11 | Chicago Bears | W | 27–10 | Lambeau Field |
| 2 | September 18 | Baltimore Colts | W | 17–10 | Lambeau Field |
| 3 | September 25 | Detroit Lions | W | 28–7 | Lambeau Field |
| 4 | October 2 | San Francisco 49ers | L | 20–24 | Kezar Stadium |
| 5 | October 9 | Los Angeles Rams | W | 28–17 | Lambeau Field |
| 6 | October 16 | Chicago Bears | W | 17–7 | Soldier Field |
| 7 | October 23 | Detroit Lions | W | 17–13 | [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)| |
| 8 | October 30 | Baltimore Colts | W | 13–10 | Memorial Stadium |
| 9 | November 6 | San Francisco 49ers | W | 17–7 | Lambeau Field |
| 10 | November 13 | Los Angeles Rams | W | 31–17 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| 11 | November 20 | Minnesota Vikings | L | 13–20 | Metropolitan Stadium |
| 12 | November 27 | Minnesota Vikings | W | 23–21 | Lambeau Field |
| 13 | December 4 | Detroit Lions | W | 17–10 | Lambeau Field |
| 14 | December 11 | Chicago Bears | W | 28–0 | Lambeau Field |
Postseason
NFL Championship Game
The Packers faced the Dallas Cowboys and won 34–27 at Capitol Stadium. Bart Starr threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns, earning praise for his leadership and efficiency.
Super Bowl I
Green Bay represented the NFL in Super Bowl I against the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League. The Packers won 35–10, marking the first Super Bowl championship in NFL history.
Roster
Key players included:
- QB Bart Starr
- HB Jim Taylor
- FB Paul Hornung
- LB Ray Nitschke
- WR Boyd Dowler
Legacy
The 1966 season solidified the Packers as a dominant force in professional football. Vince Lombardi’s coaching and the team’s disciplined play set the foundation for consecutive championships in 1966 and 1967. The victory in Super Bowl I also helped unify the NFL and AFL, shaping the future of professional football.