The 1967 Divisional Playoff vs Cowboys
A storied championship rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, featuring nine playoff meetings and two iconic eras of dominance.
The Cowboys–Packers rivalry is a professional American football rivalry in the National Football League (NFL) between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. The two teams do not play each other every year; instead, they play at least once every three years and at least once every six seasons at each team's home stadium during which the NFC East and NFC North are paired up against one another. In addition, not only could the two teams meet in the playoffs in a given season, but also if the two teams finish in the same place in their respective divisions in any season, they will play each other the following season.
The rivalry has also resulted in several notable games, including nine playoff games. CBS ranked this rivalry as the No. 3 NFL rivalry of the 1990s. The Packers lead the overall series 22–17–1. The two teams have met nine times in the playoffs, with the Packers holding a 5–4 advantage.
Quick Facts
- Date
- December 31, 1967
- Location
- Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Result
- Green Bay Packers Victory
- Head coach
- Vince Lombardi
- Quarterback
- Bart Starr
- Season context
- 1967 NFL Season Playoffs
Lore & Background
Although the rivalry has existed throughout the history of each team, it was most notable during two time periods. The first period occurred during late 1960s as both teams were highly successful prior to the AFL-NFL merger, which culminated in meeting in consecutive NFL Championship Games in 1966 and 1967. The 1967 meeting has been labelled the 'Ice Bowl', with the temperature at kick-off at -13 °F (-25 °C). The Packers won the game on a late quarterback sneak by Bart Starr, which sent them to the Super Bowl.
Each game ended in dramatic fashion in favor of the Packers, which led to them winning the first two Super Bowls (Super Bowl I and II). The Cowboys never defeated the Packers in the time Vince Lombardi was Packers head coach. The second period of notability occurred throughout the 1990s as both the Packers and Cowboys, alongside the San Francisco 49ers, were amongst the strongest teams in the NFC. The Packers and Cowboys met in the postseason three straight years from 1993 to 1995, with Dallas winning in each encounter, all of which were in Dallas.
The Cowboys won two of their three Super Bowls in this period after defeating Green Bay in the postseason and won nine of ten meetings in the 90s. From 1992 to 1997, the Cowboys and Packers combined for five Super Bowl appearances and four Super Bowl championships. Additionally, the Packers won Super Bowl XLV in AT&T Stadium in 2011. Even during periods where one or both teams were not successful, the match-up was still considered a 'storied championship rivalry'.
Did You Know?
- The 1967 NFL Championship Game, known as the 'Ice Bowl', was played at Lambeau Field with a kick-off temperature of -13 °F (-25 °C).
- The Packers won the first two Super Bowls (Super Bowl I and II) after defeating the Cowboys in the NFL Championship Games in 1966 and 1967.
- The Cowboys never defeated the Packers during Vince Lombardi's tenure as Packers head coach.
- The Packers have a 5-0 record at AT&T Stadium as of the 2023 season.
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