By Rachel Puglia
Elm Staff Writer
The San Diego Chargers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 24-14 on Nov. 19, 1961 to clinch AFL West title with five games remaining in the season. Charger’s defensive back Charlie McNeil made the club’s 43rd pass interception during this game, a professional record.
On Nov. 27, 1969, the Minnesota Vikings shut out Detroit, 27-0, at Tiger Stadium to clinch the franchise’s second division title. The victory over the Lions was the 10th of a 12-game win streak, the longest in the NFL in 35 years. Minnesota finished the season with the NFL’s best record (12-2) of ’69. The Vikings won their first division title on Dec. 15, 1968 with a win against the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-17, and a Chicago Bear loss to the Packers 28-17.
One year later on Dec. 5, 1970, the Vikings defeated the Chicago Bears, 16-13, at Metropolitan Stadium to clinch their third straight division title. Minnesota hosted San Francisco in a divisional playoff game but lost, 17-14. For the second consecutive season, the Vikings had the league’s best record with a 12-2 mark.
Thanksgiving Day in 1964, Nov. 26, Buffalo defeated San Diego 27-24 in front of 34,865 fans, an attendance record for Balboa Stadium in San Diego.
In front of a less impressive crowd of 25,753 in Balboa Stadium the Chargers were able to defeat the New York Jets 38-3 on Dec. 6, 1964. The Chargers clinched their fourth AFL West title in five years with this win over the Jets.
On Nov. 25, 1962, the Cleveland Browns pulled off a 35-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers before 53,601 fans at Cleveland Stadium. The Browns defeated the Steelers 50 years later this past weekend with a final score of 20-14. I guess history really does repeat itself.