The 1961 NFL season concluded with a dominant performance by the Green Bay Packers, who shut out the New York Giants 37-0 in the NFL Championship Game on . This victory marked the Packers’ first league championship since 1944.
Expansion and Schedule Changes
The season was a period of growth for the NFL, expanding to 14 teams with the addition of the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings’ founders had previously declined to be charter members of the newly formed American Football League. This expansion brought the league back to an even number of teams, temporarily eliminating the bye week that had been in place in . The schedule was also extended from 12 games to 14 games per team, a format that would remain in place for the next 17 years.
A significant shift in divisional alignment also occurred, with the Dallas Cowboys moving from the Western Division to the Eastern Division. The Vikings were placed in the Western Division.
Conference Champions and Key Players
The Green Bay Packers secured the Western Conference title with an record, while the New York Giants won the Eastern Conference with a record. Several players distinguished themselves throughout the season.
Paul Hornung, a running back for the Green Bay Packers, was named NFL Most Valuable Player by multiple outlets – the Associated Press, United Press International, The Sporting News, and the Maxwell Football Club. Hornung led the league in scoring with 146 points, total touchdowns with 15, and extra points with 43. Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown led the league in rushing yards with 1,408. New York Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle shared Player of the Year honors with Hornung and passed for 2,272 yards.
On the rookie front, Mike Ditka, a tight end for the Chicago Bears, earned Offensive Rookie of the Year accolades from the Associated Press, United Press International, The Sporting News, and Pro Football Illustrated, recording 1,076 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Allie Sherman, head coach of the New York Giants, was named NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press for leading his team to the Eastern Conference championship in his second season.
Vikings’ Inaugural Season and Notable Debuts
The Minnesota Vikings, under the leadership of coach Norm Van Brocklin, faced a challenging inaugural season, finishing with a record. Despite the team’s struggles, the season marked the debut of rookie quarterback Fran Tarkenton, who threw for 1,997 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding five rushing scores. The Vikings notably upset the Chicago Bears in their first-ever game on , winning 37-13, with Mike Mercer scoring the team’s first points on a 12-yard field goal.
Television and League Developments
The season was the last in which each NFL team independently managed its own television coverage. CBS secured contracts with 11 teams, including the expansion Vikings. NBC continued to broadcast 13 Sundays featuring either the Colts or the Steelers, while the Cleveland Browns maintained their deal with Carling Beer and the Sports Network (SNI), a precursor to the Hughes Sports Network.
Beyond the field, the Houston Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16 in the first AFL Championship Game on . The Detroit Lions defeated the Cleveland Browns 17-16 in the inaugural Playoff Bowl, also known as the Bert Bell Benefit Bowl, on , in Miami. Willard Dewveall, an end for the Bears, moved to the Oilers, becoming the first player to exercise his option and join the AFL.
The NFL draft was held from , at Philadelphia’s Warwick Hotel. The Minnesota Vikings, with the first overall pick, selected halfback Tommy Mason from Tulane University. Prior to the regular season draft, the Vikings held an expansion draft on , selecting 36 players from the other NFL teams. The Dallas Cowboys were exempt from losing a player in this expansion draft.
