Notes On The Two Monday December 26th NFL Title Games

Twice in NFL annals, their title game was played on a Monday December 26th as deference to the Christmas holiday.

There is no such deference today as 3 games, all involving teams, entering today with 3 “reg” games remaining, are to be played.

In 1955, on the day after Christmas, Monday December 26th, the great Otto Graham, a man really overlooked in the often ridiculous who is the greatest discussion, played brilliantly in his last game, throwing for and running in 2 touchdowns each, as the Cleveland Browns eased (38-14) at the still active, now venerable Los Angeles Coliseum vs the Rams, to repeat as NFL champions.

The other Monday/day after Christmas title game was played at Franklin Field in Philadelphia in 1960.

In that game the home team, Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers (17-13) in what was Pack coach’ Vince Lombardi’s lone playoff loss in what was his first such game. His teams won the other 9, manifesting in Green Bay titles in ’61,’62 and the unprecedented 3 straight from (’65-’67.)

Philly’s quarterback in the ’60 title tilt win was Norm Van Brocklin. He was on the quarterback on the team with less points scored in the other Monday December 26th, title game.

An iconic photo of three greats that played in the ’60 title tilt.

In it, the Eagles’ great Chuck Bednarik, who played both offense and defense, is flanked by running greats #5 Paul Hornung and #31 Jim Taylor.