# 1963 Chicago Bears season

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).
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. 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.
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 defense also allowed only 144 points, formerly an NFL record.
In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1963 Bears as the ninth-greatest defense in NFL history, 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

1963 Chicago Bears draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Dave Behrman | C | Michigan State | Pick from trade with PIT |
| 2 | 20 | Steve Barnett | T | Oregon | Pick from trade with DAL |
| 2 | 25 | Bob Jencks | E | Miami (OH) | |
| 3 | 38 | Larry Glueck | DB | Villanova | |
| 4 | 49 | Stan Sanders | E | Whittier | Pick from trade with SF |
| 4 | 52 | Charley Mitchell | HB | Washington | Pick from trade with PIT |
| 6 | 80 | John Johnson | T | Indiana | Pick from trade with PIT |
| 6 | 81 | Dave Mathieson | QB | Washington State | |
| 7 | 94 | Paul Underhill | B | Missouri | |
| 8 | 109 | Dennis Harmon | DB | Southern Illinois | |
| 9 | 118 | Monte Day | T | Fresno State | Pick from trade with DAL |
| 9 | 122 | Dave Watson | LB | Georgia Tech | |
| 10 | 137 | Ed Hoerster | LB | Notre Dame | |
| 11 | 150 | James Tullis | DB | Florida A&M | |
| 12 | 165 | Dick Drummond | B | George Washington | |
| 13 | 178 | John Szumcyk | B | Trinity (CT) | |
| 14 | 193 | Gordan Banks | B | Fisk | |
| 15 | 206 | Bob Dentel | C/LB | Miami (FL) | |
| 16 | 221 | Lowell Caylor | DB | Miami (OH) | |
| 17 | 234 | John Sisk | B | Miami (FL) | |
| 18 | 249 | Jeff Slabaugh | E | Indiana | |
| 19 | 262 | Bob Yaksick | DB | Rutgers | |
| 20 | 277 | John Gregory | E | Baldwin-Wallace | |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||
Source:

## Personnel
### Coaches

* Head coach – George Halas
* Assistants – George Allen (Defensive Coordinator), Jim Dooley, Phil Handler, Luke Johnsos, Sid Luckman, Chuck Mather

### Roster

* Team photo
* Rosters - 1963 NFL title game

## Preseason
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Time (CT) | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | TV | Attendance |
| 1 | August 10 | | vs. New York Giants (at Ithaca, NY) | W 17–7 | 1–0 | South Hill Field | | |
| 2 | August 15 | | at Washington Redskins | W 28–26 | 2–0 | D.C. Stadium | | |
| 3 | August 24 | 7:55 p.m. | vs. Green Bay Packers (at Milwaukee, WI) | L 7–26 | 2–1 | Milwaukee County Stadium | WBBM-TV | 44,592 |
| 4 | August 31 | | St. Louis Cardinals | L 3–7 | 2–2 | Soldier Field | | |
| 5 | September 7 | | Baltimore Colts (at New Orleans, LA) | W 14–7 | 3–2 | Tulane Stadium | | |

### Game summaries
#### Week P3: (Saturday, August 24, 1963): vs. Green Bay Packers
## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Time (CT) | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | TV | Attendance |
| 1 | September 15 | 1:00 p.m. | at Green Bay Packers | W 10–3 | 1–0 | City Stadium | CBS | 42,327 |
| 2 | September 22 | 1:30 p.m. | at Minnesota Vikings | W 28–7 | 2–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | CBS | 33,923 |
| 3 | September 29 | 12:30 p.m. | at Detroit Lions | W 37–21 | 3–0 | Tiger Stadium | CBS | 55,400 |
| 4 | October 6 | 1:00 p.m. | Baltimore Colts | W 10–3 | 4–0 | Wrigley Field | CBS | 48,998 |
| 5 | October 13 | 3:30 p.m. | at Los Angeles Rams | W 52–14 | 5–0 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | CBS | 40,476 |
| 6 | October 20 | 3:30 p.m. | at San Francisco 49ers | L 14–20 | 5–1 | Kezar Stadium | CBS | 35,837 |
| 7 | October 27 | 1:00 p.m. | Philadelphia Eagles | W 16–7 | 6–1 | Wrigley Field | CBS | 48,514 |
| 8 | November 3 | 1:00 p.m. | at Baltimore Colts | W 17–7 | 7–1 | Memorial Stadium | CBS | 60,065 |
| 9 | November 10 | 1:00 p.m. | Los Angeles Rams | W 6–0 | 8–1 | Wrigley Field | CBS | 48,312 |
| 10 | November 17 | 1:00 p.m. | Green Bay Packers | W 26–7 | 9–1 | Wrigley Field | CBS | 49,166 |
| 11 | November 24 | 1:00 p.m. | at Pittsburgh Steelers | T 17–17 | 9–1–1 | Forbes Field | CBS | 36,465 |
| 12 | December 1 | 1:00 p.m. | Minnesota Vikings | T 17–17 | 9–1–2 | Wrigley Field | CBS | 47,249 |
| 13 | December 8 | 1:00 p.m. | San Francisco 49ers | W 27–7 | 10–1–2 | Wrigley Field | CBS | 46,994 |
| 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 Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears (1–0) | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Packers (0–1) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at City Stadium • Green Bay, Wisconsin
* Date: September 15, 1963
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), relative humidity 76%, wind 7 mph
* Game attendance: 42,327
* Referee: Art McNally
* TV: CBS
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| CHI | Passing | Bill Wade | 18/24, 129 YDS, 1 INT |
| CHI | Rushing | Rick Casares | 5 CAR, 27 YDS |
| CHI | Receiving | Ronnie Bull | 6 REC, 48 YDS |
| GB | Passing | Bart Starr | 11/22, 83 YDS, 4 INTs |
| GB | Rushing | Jim Taylor | 12 CAR, 53 YDS |
| GB | Receiving | Ron Kramer | 3 REC, 35 YDS |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | CHI | GB |
| 1 | | | | | Bears | 32-yard field goal by Jencks | 3 | 0 |
| 1 | | | | | Packers | 41-yard field goal by Kramer | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | | | | | Bears | Marconi 1-yard touchdown run, Jencks kick good | 10 | 3 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 10 | 3 |
* Point spread: Bears +11
* Time of Game:
| Bears | Game Statistics | Packers |
| 15 | First downs | 9 |
| 35–107 | Rushes–yards | 21–77 |
| 129 | Passing yards | 83 |
| 18–24–1 | Passes | 11–22–4 |
| 1–5 | Sacked–yards | 1–10 |
| 124 | Net passing yards | 73 |
| 231 | Total yards | 150 |
| 84 | Return yards | 101 |
| 5–43.8 | Punts | 5–48.6 |
| 1–1 | Fumbles–lost | 1–1 |
| 5–50 | Penalties–yards | 6–58 |
Individual stats
Bears Passing :
| | C/ATT$^1$ | Yds | TD | INT | Sk | Yds | LG$^3$ | Rate |
| Wade | 18/24 | 129 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 69.6 |
Bears Rushing :
| | Car$^2$ | Yds | TD | LG$^3$ |
| 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 |
Bears Receiving :
| | Rec$^4$ | Yds | TD | LG$^3$ |
| 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 |
Bears Kick Returns :
| | Ret | Yds | Y/Rt | TD | Lng |
| Marconi | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 0 | 15 |
| Casares | 1 | 10 | 10/0 | 0 | 10 |
Bears Punt Returns :
| | Ret | Yds | Y/Rt | TD | Lng |
| Taylor | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Morris | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
Bears Punting :
| | Pnt | Yds | Y/P | Lng | Blck |
| Green | 5 | 219 | 43.8 | | |
Bears Kicking :
| | XPM–XPA | FGM–FGA | MFG |
| Jencks | 1–1 | 1–2 | |
Bears Interceptions :
| | Int | Yds | TD | LG |
| 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 Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears (2–0) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
| Vikings (1–1) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Metropolitan Stadium • Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: September 22, 1963
* Game time: 1:30 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 9 mph
* Game attendance: 33,923
* Referee: Harry Brubaker
* TV: CBS
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| CHI | Passing | Bill Wade | 23/32, 253 YDS, 3 TDs |
| CHI | Rushing | Ronnie Bull | 14 CAR, 53 YDS |
| CHI | Receiving | Mike Ditka | 8 REC, 124 YDS, 2 TDs |
| MIN | Passing | Fran Tarkenton | 13/22, 167 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs |
| MIN | Rushing | Tommy Mason | 11 CAR, 60 YDS |
| MIN | Receiving | Ray Poage | 5 REC, 67 YDS |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | CHI | MIN |
| 1 | | | | | Bears | Bull 24-yard touchdown reception from Wade, Jencks kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 2 | | | | | Vikings | Reichlow 24-yard touchdown reception from Tarkenton, Cox kick good | 14 | 7 |
| 2 | | | | | Bears | Ditka 36-yard touchdown reception from Wade, Jencks kick good | 14 | 7 |
| 4 | | | | | Bears | Wade 1-yard touchdown run, Jencks kick good | 21 | 7 |
| 4 | | | | | Bears | Ditka 10-yard touchdown reception from Wade, Jencks kick good | 28 | 7 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 28 | 7 |
* Point spread: Bears –4
* Time of Game:
| Bears | Game Statistics | Vikings |
| 24 | First downs | 20 |
| 27–106 | Rushes–yards | 34–152 |
| 253 | Passing yards | 197 |
| 23–33–0 | Passes | 16–27–3 |
| 0–0 | Sacked–yards | 2–23 |
| 253 | Net passing yards | 174 |
| 359 | Total yards | 326 |
| 34 | Return yards | 85 |
| 1–44.0 | Punts | 2–35.0 |
| 1–1 | Fumbles–lost | 4–2 |
| 8–75 | Penalties–yards | 5–55 |

#### Week 3 at Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 7 | 28 | 0 | 2 | 37 |
| Lions | 0 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 21 |
at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
* Date: September 29, 1963
* Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 55,400
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
CHI – Angelo Coia 18-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 7–0.
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
DET – Terry Barr 60-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Wayne Walker kick). Bears 35–7.
DET – Gail Cogdill 67-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Wayne Walker kick). Bears 35–14.
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.
Top passers
CHI – Bill Wade – 18/34, 219 yards, 3 TD, INT
DET – Earl Morrall – 8/21, 229 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
CHI – Joe Marconi – 9 rushes, 30 yards
DET – Nick Pietrosante – 8 rushes, 12 yards
Top receivers
CHI – Johnny Morris – 6 receptions, 85 yards, TD
DET – Gail Cogdill – 4 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 4 vs Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: October 6, 1963
* Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C)
* Game attendance: 48,998
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
No scoring
Third quarter
BAL – Jim Martin 16-yard field goal. Colts 3–0.
Fourth quarter
CHI – Ronnie Bull 44-yard pass from Rudy Bukich (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 7–3.
CHI – Roger LeClerc 16-yard field goal. Bears 10–3.
Top passers
BAL – Johnny Unitas – 21/36, 182 yards, INT
CHI – Rudy Bukich – 6/7, 112 yards, TD
Top rushers
BAL – J.W. Lockett – 10 rushes, 13 yards
CHI – Rick Casares – 7 rushes, 54 yards
Top receivers
BAL – Tom Matte – 7 receptions, 56 yards
CHI – Ronnie Bull – 2 receptions, 44 yards, TD :

#### Week 5

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bears | 7 | 21 | 3 | 21 | 52 |
| Rams | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
* Mike Ditka 9 Rec, 110 Yds

#### Week 6

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| • 49ers | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 20 |

#### Week 7

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| • Bears | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 16 |

#### Week 8

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bears | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Colts | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |

#### Week 9

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • Bears | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |

#### Week 10 (Sunday, November 17, 1963): vs. Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers (8–2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Bears (9–1) | 13 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 26 |
at Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois
* Date: November 17, 1963
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 16 mph
* Game attendance: 49,166
* Referee: Tom Bell
* TV: CBS
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| GB | Passing | John Roach | 8/20, 92 YDS, 2 INTs |
| GB | Rushing | Tom Moore | 12 CAR, 50 YDS, 1 TD |
| GB | Receiving | Max McGee | 3 REC, 93 YDS |
| CHI | Passing | Bill Wade | 6/14, 92 YDS |
| CHI | Rushing | Willie Galimore | 14 CAR, 79 YDS, 1 TD |
| CHI | Receiving | Mike Ditka | 2 REC, 32 YDS |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | GB | CHI |
| 1 | | | | | Bears | 29-yard field goal by LeClerc | 0 | 3 |
| 1 | | | | | Bears | 46-yard field goal by LeClerc | 0 | 6 |
| 1 | | | | | Bears | Galimore 27-yard touchdown run, Jencks kick good | 0 | 13 |
| 3 | | | | | Bears | 19-yard field goal by LeClerc | 0 | 16 |
| 4 | | | | | Bears | 35-yard field goal by LeClerc | 0 | 19 |
| 4 | | | | | Bears | Wade 5-yard touchdown run, Jencks kick good | 0 | 26 |
| 4 | | | | | Packers | Moore 11-yard touchdown run, Kramer kick good | 7 | 26 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 7 | 26 |
* Point spread: Bears +4
* Time of Game:
| Packers | Game Statistics | Bears |
| 16 | First downs | 19 |
| 20–71 | Rushes–yards | 57–248 |
| 178 | Passing yards | 92 |
| 11–30–5 | Passes | 6–14–0 |
| 2–17 | Sacked–yards | 3–23 |
| 161 | Net passing yards | 69 |
| 232 | Total yards | 317 |
| 101 | Return yards | 63 |
| 5–38.8 | Punts | 3–47.0 |
| 2–2 | Fumbles–lost | 0–0 |
| 6–65 | Penalties–yards | 11–97 |
Individual stats
Bears Passing :
| | C/ATT$^1$ | Yds | TD | INT | Sk | Yds | LG$^3$ | Rate |
| Wade | 6/14 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 23 | 28 | 65.2 |
Bears Rushing :
| | Car$^2$ | Yds | TD | LG$^3$ |
| 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 |
Bears Receiving :
| | Rec$^4$ | Yds | TD | LG$^3$ |
| Ditka | 2 | 32 | 0 | 16 |
| Coia | 2 | 26 | 0 | 14 |
| Marconi | 1 | 28 | 0 | 28 |
| Casares | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Bears Kick Returns :
| | Ret | Yds | Y/Rt | TD | Lng |
| Pyle | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Bears Punting :
| | Pnt | Yds | Y/P | Lng | Blck |
| Green | 3 | 141 | 47.0 | 0 | |
Bears Kicking :
| | XPM–XPA | FGM–FGA | MFG |
| LeClerc | | 4–7 | |
| Jencks | 2–2 | | |
Bears Interceptions :
| | Int | Yds | TD | LG |
| Taylor | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| McRae | 1 | 44 | 0 | 44 |
| Petitbon | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Whitsell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

#### Week 11

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
| Steelers | 0 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 17 |

#### Week 12 (Sunday, December 1, 1963): vs. Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings (4–7–1) | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Bears (9–1–2) | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois
* Date: December 1, 1963
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 23 °F (−5 °C), relative humidity 72%, wind 10 mph, wind chill 13 °F (−11 °C)
* Game attendance: 47,249
* Referee: Tony Skover
* TV: CBS
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| MIN | Passing | Ron Vander Kelen | 5/9, 116 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| MIN | Rushing | Tommy Mason | 19, CAR, 53 YDS |
| MIN | Receiving | Gordon Smith | 2 REC, 83 YDS, 1 TD |
| CHI | Passing | Bill Wade | 16/32, 164 YDS, 1 TD |
| CHI | Rushing | Ronnie Bull | 14 CAR, 31 YDS |
| CHI | Receiving | Mike Ditka | 5 REC, 76 YDS |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MIN | CHI |
| 1 | | | | | Vikings | 16-yard field goal by Cox | 3 | 3 |
| 1 | | | | | Bears | 16-yard field goal by LeClerc | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | Vikings | Wilson 2-yard touchdown run, Cox kick good | 10 | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | Vikings | Smith 53-yard touchdown reception from Vander Kelen, Cox kick good | 17 | 3 |
| 3 | | | | | Bears | Wade 1-yard touchdown run, Jencks kick good | 17 | 10 |
| 4 | | | | | Bears | Marconi 8-yard touchdown reception from Wade, Jencks kick good | 17 | 17 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 17 | 17 |
* Point spread: Bears –13
* Time of Game:
| Vikings | Game Statistics | Bears |
| 9 | First downs | 15 |
| 38–116 | Rushes–yards | 33–67 |
| 120 | Passing yards | 164 |
| 6–13–1 | Passes | 16–32–0 |
| 4–34 | Sacked–yards | 1–10 |
| 86 | Net passing yards | 154 |
| 202 | Total yards | 221 |
| 142 | Return yards | 93 |
| 4–15.7 | Punts | 7–52.4 |
| 4–3 | Fumbles–lost | 4–3 |
| 3–26 | Penalties–yards | 3–25 |

#### Week 13

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| 49ers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| • Bears | 14 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 27 |

#### Week 14

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| • Bears | 3 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 24 |

## Standings

NFL Western Conference :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| Chicago Bears | 11 | 1 | 2 | .917 | 10–1–1 | 301 | 144 | W2 |
| Green Bay Packers | 11 | 2 | 1 | .846 | 9–2–1 | 369 | 206 | W2 |
| Baltimore Colts | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | 7–5 | 316 | 285 | W3 |
| Detroit Lions | 5 | 8 | 1 | .385 | 4–7–1 | 326 | 265 | L1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 5 | 8 | 1 | .385 | 4–7–1 | 309 | 390 | W1 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | 5–7 | 210 | 350 | L2 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 12 | 0 | .143 | 1–11 | 198 | 391 | L5 |
       Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

## NFL Championship

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| • Bears | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
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. 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. 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.