The 1972 Green Bay Packers surprised a lot of people. Coming off a 4-8-2 season, the Packers finished 1972 with a 10-4 mark and made their only playoff appearance of the 1970s. The team featured a strong defense and a great rushing attack led by the duo of John Brockington and MacArthur Lane. But both the fans and the players themselves realized they had a chance to be a good team that season when the Packers scored a big win over the defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys in Week 3.
Packers Score Big Win Over the Defending Champion Cowboys: The Leadup
The Packers entered the game with a 1-1 record. They defeated the playoff-bound Browns in Cleveland in Week 1 before losing a controversial game on a bad call against the Oakland Raiders. The Cowboys entered the game 2-0. The defending Super Bowl champions carried a 12-game, regular-season winning streak into the game.
The Packers entered the game at Milwaukee County Stadium wondering whether their win over Cleveland was a fluke or if they truly were good enough to play with the Cowboys.
Dallas would be without their starting quarterback, Roger Staubach. Backup Craig Morton would be under center. Morton had been the starter before losing a battle with Staubach. This was another chance for him to show he could lead the Cowboys to victory.
An Early Defensive Struggle
The Cowboys moved the ball on their first drive. Morton mixed in a few passes with runs by Calvin Hill and Walt Garrison. Toni Fritsch booted a 46-yard field goal, and the Packers trailed 3-0.
On the next Cowboys possession, safety Al Matthews made a big play to set up the Packers first score. Morton attempted a pass for speedy Bob Hayes, but it was deflected and intercepted by Matthews. That set up a 44-yard field goal by Chester Marcol that tied the game 3-3.
“That one belongs to the front four because of the pressure they put on Morton,” Matthews said. “I happened to be standing there, and Morton threw it right to me.”
Early in the second quarter, the Packers took the lead for the first time. Hill fumbled and cornerback Willie Buchanon pounced on the ball at the Dallas 25. That led to a two-yard touchdown run by Brockington that gave Green Bay a 10-3. Brockington avoided linebacker Lee Roy Jordan on the play, changed direction and got a good block by Lane to spring him for the score.
Dallas pulled closer on the final play of the half on a nine-yard field goal by Fritsch. The Packers led 10-6 at halftime in what was a tough, defensive struggle through 30 minutes.
Packers Score Big Win Over the Defending Champion Cowboys: A Battle to the Wire
In the third quarter, the Cowboys seized the momentum and took the lead. Walt Garrison ended the drive with a physical, 10-yard touchdown dash. He ran over safety Jim Hill for the score. Dallas led 13-10.
But the Packers responded immediately. Bob Hudson returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to give the Packers excellent field position. Quarterback Scott Hunter led them into field goal range and Marcol connected from 26 yards out to tie the game at 13-13 midway through the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Packers took the lead on another turnover. Matthews came up with his second pick of the game to set up another Marcol three-pointer, this time from 22 yards away. The Packers led 16-13.
The Cowboys had one more chance to score in the final two minutes. Morton started a drive, but the Green Bay defense stepped up and made another big play. As the Cowboys quarterback rolled to his right, he threw the ball towards Hayes over the middle. But Buchanon stepped in front of the speedy wideout and intercepted the pass to clinch the win. The Packers were able to run out the clock. Dallas’ winning streak ended at 12 games.
The Aftermath
The Packers defense excelled in this game. They sacked Morton four times including three by Vernon Vanoy. They also intercepted three passes and recovered two fumbles, giving the Packers a plus-five turnover differential.
Vanoy gave credit to one teammate in particular for his big day. “I was lucky,” he said. You’ve got to be lucky to get three sacks in a game. Bob Brown was the key. He cleared out the whole side of their line so that I could get in.”
“Their front four played very well, with great reaction and anticipation. We knew they were a good football team, and that they shouldn’t have lost to Oakland last week,” Morton told reporters after the game.
Brockington finished the game with 91 yards on the ground and a score. Hunter completed just 4-of-17 passes for 53 yards, but it was enough to get the win.
“This has to be our most important win,” Packers head coach Dan Devine said after the game. “We played awfully well in Minnesota last year, but we didn’t win. One game doesn’t make our season, but it sure is nicer to be 2-1 than 1-2.
The Packers were gaining confidence. They finished the season 10-4 and won the NFC Central Division crown. It all started with this big win over the defending champs in Milwaukee.
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