Evening star., 1962-12-30
Packers Rated
621.Point Pick
For NFL Title
Giants Attempting
ToAvenge 81 Loss;
Clear Day Expected
BY LEWIS F. ATCHISON
Star Staff Writer

NEW IOtbrA, DcC. 1d' - Il6
heavy-handed farm hands from
Green Bay meet the young
men of Manhattan, the Giants,
tomorrow at Yankee Stadium
in the showdown for the Ma
tional Football League cham
pionship. Experts look for the
country boys to outscore the
city slickers. The Packers are
6la-point favorites.
A capacity gathering of 64,-
891 fans and millions of ma
tional TV viewers will see the
leagues 30th annual title game.
The weather forecast calls for
a clear, dry day with tempera-
lures in the mid 30S. Playing
conditions undoubtedly will be
a major factor in the outcome.
The Giants are not consid-
cred a poor-weather team and
a heavy, slow field might give
Green Bay even more of an
edge. The Packers, with their
one-two running punch of
Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung,
thrive in gummy going.
HOrnung Is Doubtful
However, there was some
doubt whether Hornung will
start. Tom Moore has been
playing his halfback position
more than capably since Paul
hurt his right knee in mid
season.
Il feel okay," Hornung said.
"and I could go all the way.
But it's up to the coach"
Almost everybody expects it
to be a duel between the Pack
ers' ground game, with an aerial
assist from Quarterback Bart
Starr, and the passing of old
Y. A. little. New York's top
running pair of Alex Webster
and Phil King aren't rated on
par with the Packer aces, but
Titles cunning could give Allie
Sherman'S men the edge in the
air.
Title has bad back, q me-
mento Of the final league game
against Dallas, and if he's side
lined, the Giants will be in
trouble. Ironically, Ralph Gu
glielmi, the No. 2 man who nev-
er quite made it at Washington,
isn't up to snuff either.
Goog has a bad knee that
prevents him from doing any
trick stuff or maneuvering be-
hind the line.
Guglielmi will play If Title
comes out, and behind him is
Frank Clifford, a halfback. If
Clifford takes over the quarter
backing, the Giants will deploy
into a single or double wing.
with a direct pas from center.
Winner of three straight
division titles, the Packers are
trying to match five teams
the Bears, Eagles, Lions. Browns
and Colts-in winning two
league titles in a row. No one
ever has won three straight.
Loss May Be Blessing
Green Bay fought off a late
season slump in compiling a
1871 record while the Giants
picked and showed their way
through a series of cliff hangers
to a 1872 record. The Packers
lone defeat, a 26-l4 setback at
Detroit THANKSGIVING Day, could
boomerang in their favor.
That one was nationally tele--
vised, too, and Coach Vince
Lombardi's men want to leave
the parlor crowd with a better
image Of the Packers ability.
The situation is almost the
reverse Of last year when the
Giants were Inundated, $40,
on the Packers snow-rimmed
field. Green Bay bounced back
from a l7-l4 loss at Philadel-
phia the year before to prove
itself q true champion, and the
Giants have the same incentive
tomorrow.
Also going for New York is a
record showing 20 victories for
home teams in past title games.
Both teams were higher than
a New Years eve celebrant in
yesterdays final workouts at
the stadium. Hornung, out al
most half the season with a
badly bruised knee. had no diff
ficulty cutting with his old
wizardry and even kicking the
ball. Boyd Dowler. who had a
43.l yard average for the sea-
son, will do the punting and
Jerry Kramer, a 250-pound
guard who booted nine field
goals in IL tries efter Paul was
injured, probably will handle
the placekicking.
Kickers Are Ready
II a field goal decides the
game, the Giants are we'll pre-
pared In Don Chandler, who
booted 10 out Of 20 during the
regular season. The seven-year
Florida veteran also posted a
40-yard punting average. With
two beefy lines primed and
ready 10 explode, field goals
may be mighty important.
Chambers field goals were
decisive in either winning or
putting eight league games be-
yond the reach OF Giant OPP
ponents. He kicked four against
the Eagles In New York's 1914
victory at Yankee Stadium. and
his o-yard boot against the
Lions put a big crimp In De-