1980 Edition 2

Our second trip to The Vault in 1980 takes us to the lead-up to Week 3 of the NFL season. The publication this week included the normal picking updates, a special "bulletin", tailgating info, and more. As mentioned in our intro, the one thing it did NOT mention, was the near-miracle that concluded the Week 1 contest between the Packers and the Bears. Before we get to The Post Pattern from that week, we start with a bit of a history lesson.

On This Date

In a new feature this issue, the Post Pattern will be reviewing a special date in Packers history, in this occasion heading back to September 7th, 1980. In Week 1 of the NFL season, Green Bay took on the rival Chicago Bears(coached by Neil Armstrong). Due to an 0-4-1 pre-season which included the team not scoring a single touchdown for 4 games, pressure was on head coach Bart Starr to turn things around seemingly before the season even formally started (side note, people seemed to take pre-season WAY more seriously than we do today). With a rash of injuries, Green Bay already had 5 likely starters on Injured Reserve, things looked grim for the Green and Gold. Broadcast on CBS, Lindsey Nelson and Sunny Jurgensen called the game. After 4 quarters the score was tied at 6 (2 field goals for each side) which set the stage for the most unlikely of heroes to emerge.  After Green Bay's defense nearly stuffed Walter Payton in the end zone for what would have been a walk-off safety, the Packer offense moved the ball inside the 10 before settling for a game-winning FG attempt.  When Chester Marcol's kick was blocked, it ricocheted directly back to the Packer kicker who immediately sprinted around the left end and into history with the game-wining score.  Marcol, who was running high on adrenaline (and reportedly some other illicit substances), provided all the points for Green Bay, as they won 12-6.