1963 Chicago Bears season

1963 Chicago Bears season
Head coach	George Halas
General manager	George Halas, Jr.
Owner	George Halas
Home field	Wrigley Field
Results
Record	11–1–2
Division place	1st Western
Playoff finish	Won NFL Championship
← 1962 Bears seasons 1964 →

1 2 3 4 Total • Bears 3 0 7 0 10 Packers 3 0 0 0 3 Date: September 15 Location: City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin Game attendance: 42,327 Game weather: 54°F • Wind 7

Scoring summary 1 CHI Bob Jencks 32-yard field goal Bears 3–0 1 GB Jerry Kramer 41-yard field goal Tie 3–3 3 CHI Joe Marconi 1-yard run (Bob Jencks kick) Bears 10–3

Scoring summary
1		CHI	Bob Jencks 32-yard field goal	Bears 3–0
1		GB	Jerry Kramer 41-yard field goal	Tie 3–3
3		CHI	Joe Marconi 1-yard run (Bob Jencks kick)	Bears 10–3

1 2 3 4 Total • Bears 7 7 0 14 28 Vikings 0 7 0 0 7 Date: September 22 Location: Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, MN Game attendance: 33,923 Game weather: 51°F; wind 9

Scoring summary Q1 CHI Bull 24 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 7–0 Q2 MIN Reichow 24 yard pass from Tarkenton (Cox kick) Tie 7–7 Q2 CHI Ditka 36 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 14–7 Q4 CHI Wade 1 yard run (Jencks kick) CHI 21–7 Q4 CHI Ditka 10 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 28–7

Scoring summary
Q1		CHI	Bull 24 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick)	CHI 7–0
Q2		MIN	Reichow 24 yard pass from Tarkenton (Cox kick)	Tie 7–7
Q2		CHI	Ditka 36 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick)	CHI 14–7
Q4		CHI	Wade 1 yard run (Jencks kick)	CHI 21–7
Q4		CHI	Ditka 10 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick)	CHI 28–7

1 2 3 4 Total • Bears 7 28 0 2 37 Lions 0 0 14 7 21 Date: September 29 Location: Tiger Stadium, Detroit, MI Game attendance: 55,400 Game weather: 54°F; wind 13

Scoring summary Q1 CHI Coia 18 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 7–0 Q2 CHI Morris 16 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 14–0 Q2 CHI Ditka 13 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 21–0 Q2 CHI Petitbon 66 yard interception return (Jencks kick) CHI 28–0 Q2 CHI Wade 1 yard run (Jencks kick) CHI 35–0 Q3 DET Barr 60 yard pass from Morrall (Walker kick) CHI 35–7 Q3 DET Cogdill 67 yard pass from Morrall (Walker kick) CHI 35–14 Q4 CHI Safety, Atkins tackled Morrall in end zone CHI 37–14 Q4 DET Cogdill 38 yard pass from Morrall (Walker kick) CHI 37–21

Scoring summary
Q1		CHI	Coia 18 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick)	CHI 7–0
Q2		CHI	Morris 16 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick)	CHI 14–0
Q2		CHI	Ditka 13 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick)	CHI 21–0
Q2		CHI	Petitbon 66 yard interception return (Jencks kick)	CHI 28–0
Q2		CHI	Wade 1 yard run (Jencks kick)	CHI 35–0
Q3		DET	Barr 60 yard pass from Morrall (Walker kick)	CHI 35–7
Q3		DET	Cogdill 67 yard pass from Morrall (Walker kick)	CHI 35–14
Q4		CHI	Safety, Atkins tackled Morrall in end zone	CHI 37–14
Q4		DET	Cogdill 38 yard pass from Morrall (Walker kick)	CHI 37–21

1 2 3 4 Total Colts 0 0 3 0 3 • Bears 0 0 0 10 10 Date: October 6 Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL Game attendance: 48,998 Game weather: 73°F; wind 11

Scoring summary Q3 BAL Martin 16 yard field goal BAL 3–0 Q4 CHI Bull 44 yard pass from Bukich (Jencks kick) CHI 7–3 Q4 CHI LeClerc 16 yard field goal CHI 10–3

Scoring summary
Q3		BAL	Martin 16 yard field goal	BAL 3–0
Q4		CHI	Bull 44 yard pass from Bukich (Jencks kick)	CHI 7–3
Q4		CHI	LeClerc 16 yard field goal	CHI 10–3

1 2 3 4 Total • Bears 7 21 3 21 52 Rams 0 7 0 7 14 Date: October 13 Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA Game weather: 66°F; wind 9

Scoring summary Q1 CHI Ditka 13 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 7–0 Q2 CHI McRae 35 yard interception return (Jencks kick) CHI 14–0 Q2 LA Phillips 10 yard pass from Bratkowski (Villanueva kick) CHI 14–7 Q2 CHI Ditka 25 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 21–7 Q2 CHI Ditka 2 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 28–7 Q3 CHI LeClerc 31 yard field goal CHI 31–7 Q4 LA Bass 4 yard run (Villanueva kick) CHI 31–14 Q4 CHI Ditka 14 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 38–14 Q4 CHI Galimore 2 yard run (Jencks kick) CHI 45–14 Q4 CHI Farrington 17 yard pass from Bukich (Jencks kick) CHI 52–14

The 1963 Chicago Bears season was their 44th regular season and 12th post-season appearance in the National Football League. The club posted an 11–1–2 record 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 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 legendary 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."

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