NFL Championships (1936)

Lore & Background

Securing the Western Division title, Green Bay entered the postseason with a dominant regular season. Their opponent, the Boston Redskins, had clinched the Eastern Division crown based on regular season standings without a divisional playoff game. On December 13, 1936, the matchup moved to a neutral site—the Polo Grounds in New York City—selected by the league to maximize revenue. For the small-town visitors, the trip meant facing an upset-minded squad on hostile turf.

The Polo Grounds provided a daunting stage for the Packers. Arnie Herber orchestrated an offense that bewildered Boston with a passing attack ahead of its time, finding Don Hutson repeatedly to keep the chains moving. Defensively, Green Bay strangled the Redskins' running game, forcing turnovers and holding them to just six points via two safeties rather than a touchdown. It was a masterclass in execution, proving Lambeau’s tactical evolution had caught up with the league's best.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled off the Hudson River, biting through the wool coats of the spectators packed into the Polo Grounds. On the field, the air shimmered with the steam of exertion and the cold December breath of twenty-two men locked in combat. Arnie Herber dropped back, his eyes scanning the chaotic line. He saw Hutson break free from a double coverage, a flash of green against the gray sky. The spiral cut through the freezing air, a perfect arc that landed squarely in the receiver's hands. A roar erupted from the traveling Green Bay faithful, a sound that seemed to shake the very foundations of the stadium. In that moment, amidst the mud and the cold, the ghost of 1929 was laid to rest, and a new dynasty began its ascent.

Reader's Guide

The 1936 NFL Championship represents the franchise's first title under the modern playoff format, shifting away from deciding champions solely by regular-season records. Held on December 13 at New York's Polo Grounds against the Boston Braves, Green Bay secured a decisive 21-6 victory. The match showcased offensive innovation through Herber and Hutson, paired with suffocating defensive performance that set the standard for future championships.

Did You Know?

• While not the first playoff game ever, this was a pivotal championship under the divisional format established in 1932/1933.
• Don Hutson's performance in this game further cemented his legacy as the NFL's first true star wide receiver.
• The victory came just one year after the Packers finished second in their division, showing a rapid turnaround under Curly Lambeau.
• Boston Redskins would later move and become the Washington Redskins (now Commanders), making this a historic matchup between franchises that still exist today.
• Uniquely for this championship game, Boston's six points came entirely from two safeties, not a single touchdown.

Franchise Origins and Unmatched Longevity

Founded in 1919 by Curly Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun, the Green Bay Packers joined the National Football League in 1921, establishing themselves as a cornerstone of professional football. Based in central Wisconsin, the team plays its home games at the iconic Lambeau Field within the NFC North division. Over their extensive history, the Packers have accumulated statistics that stand alone in league annals, boasting the most regular-season victories with 819 wins and the highest total number of overall victories at 856. Their championship pedigree is equally unrivaled; they have secured 13 titles, comprising nine pre-merger NFL Championships and four Super Bowls, including two additional titles won during the AFL-NFL merger era. Furthermore, the franchise has claimed 21 divisional titles and appeared in the postseason a remarkable 37 times. While tied with the New England Patriots for the second-most playoff wins in history, their consistent excellence across nearly a century of competition cements their status as the most successful organization in NFL history.

The Lambeau Era: A Dynasty of Three-Peat

The franchise's first golden age emerged under the guidance of founder Curly Lambeau, who served as head coach from 1929 to 1944. This era defined early Packers dominance, resulting in six NFL Championships and establishing a standard for consecutive success that had never been seen before. Most notably, between 1929 and 1931, Green Bay became the first team in league history to win three straight championships, setting a precedent for sustained excellence. Lambeau's leadership laid the foundational culture of the organization, transforming it from a local club into a national powerhouse during its formative years. This period of triumph not only secured the team's place in history but also demonstrated that consistent winning was achievable over multiple seasons. The success achieved under Lambeau provided the momentum and identity that would carry the franchise through future decades, proving their resilience and competitive spirit long before the modern era of professional sports took shape.

The Lombardi Legacy and Modern Revival

Following a significant slump in the mid-century, the Packers experienced a second renaissance between 1960 and 1967 under legendary head coach Vince Lombardi. This transformative period yielded five NFL Championships and the first two Super Bowls in history, including another rare feat of three consecutive titles from 1965 to 1967. The franchise's most recent era of success began in 1993 and continues today, guided by coaches Mike Holmgren, Mike McCarthy, and Matt LaFleur. This modern stretch has seen the team reach the playoffs 23 times with three Super Bowl appearances, securing victories in 1996 and 2010. A standout moment occurred during the 2011 season when the squad achieved a record-breaking 15 wins in a single year. These distinct periods of dominance highlight the organization's ability to reinvent itself across generations while maintaining its core identity as a championship contender.

Valleys Between Peaks: Periods of Struggle

Despite their storied history, the Packers have faced significant stretches of mediocrity and failure that tested the franchise's resolve. The first major downturn occurred between 1945 and 1958, a fourteen-year span where the team never finished higher than third in the league standings. This era culminated in 1958 with their worst record ever, finishing at just one win, ten losses, and one tie. A second prolonged period of struggle followed immediately after the Lombardi dynasty ended, lasting from 1968 to 1991. During these twenty-four years, the club made only two playoff appearances and managed merely six winning seasons overall. These challenging chapters serve as a stark contrast to their championship runs, illustrating that even the most successful teams in NFL history must navigate through difficult times before returning to prominence.