The day turkeys fear above all others is almost here. The Detroit Lions should be worried, too – worried that they will defeat the 10-0 Green Bay Packers this year just like they did 49 Thanksgivings ago.
In case you haven’t heard, in 1962 on Thanksgiving Day, the then defending NFL champion Green Bay Packers rolled into Tiger Stadium in Detroit on a mission to finish the 1962 season undefeated. They were the best team, with the best coach and the best quarterback in the league and, some would say, in the history of the league.
But on that day, when one NFL game was the ONLY thing on television during the Thursday celebration of the Pilgrims, the mighty Packers succumbed to the vicious pass rush of the Detroit Lions. Bart Starr was sacked 11 times (the equivalent of Tim Tebow getting dragged to the turf on every pass attempt). Roger Brown, a defensive lineman with the Lions, said recently, “we were determined to get to Bart Starr, and I don’t think the German Luftwaffe could have stopped us that day.” Starr and the Packers could only muster 14 points. Milton Plum, the Lions quarterback, led Detroit’s offense to 26 points – a veritable rout in 1962.
The horrible defeat, although derailing Green Bay’s pursuit of perfection (the 1972 Dolphins and Don Shula weren’t around to root against them yet), galvanized and refocused the previous invincible Packers. They went on to win their remaining three games and the 1962-1963 NFL championship for the second year in a row.
The Detroit Lions were not as fortunate. While they went on to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Playoff Bowl, the game for the NFL’s third place trophy, the Lions have won only one other playoff game in the 49 years since. Only the Chicago Cubs might not have sympathy for that streak.
Both Matthew Stafford and Ndamukong Suh say they know nothing about the history of the Lions or the famous game almost fifty years ago. When asked about it, Stafford replied, “I really don’t know. It’s 2011. We’re worried about trying to beat the Packers of today.” What is the old saying about those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it…
The similarities between the 1962 contest and this year’s are unmistakable. Green Bay arrives at Ford Field with the Lombardi Trophy in hand – the legendary coach makes his presence felt even in this game – and a perfect 10-0 record. They look unbeatable. Aaron Rodgers, while certainly not in the same conversation with Mr. Starr yet, is, according to most experts, playing the quarterback position as well as it can possibly be played. Not to mention, based on recent poll of Wisconsin citizens, Rodgers is more popular than Santa Claus (thank goodness the game isn’t on Christmas).
The problem is the questions are already starting to pour in. Each time Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers or Charles Woodson field a question from the media these days there is a 93% chance (approximately) that the query will be whether the Packers can run the table and achieve perfection and immortality. Talk about pressure. Just ask Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Perfection is an admirable goal – but it is not the goal of these Packers – winning a second consecutive Super Bowl is.
As odd as it might seem, a healthy dose of tryptophan-loaded turkey on a day of overindulgence could serve the Packers well in the long run. A loss to the Lions would remind the Packers (if they need it) the NFL is filled with talented teams populated with great players. And, most importantly, as the season wanes, it could remind the boys of green and gold that, while perfection is nice, a second consecutive Super Bowl victory is their true goal.
