The coldest game in NFL history was decided by a single, desperate quarterback sneak

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 · Updated 23 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: On December 31, 1967, the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys faced off in temperatures of −13 °F. Known as the Ice Bowl, the game featured frozen whistles, malfunctioning turf heaters, and players suffering from frostbite. It remains the coldest title match ever played, culminating in a legendary final drive.

The 1967 NFL Championship Game at Lambeau Field was a rematch between the two-time defending champion Green Bay Packers, coached by Vince Lombardi, and the Dallas Cowboys, led by Tom Landry. The two coaches shared a history as assistants for the New York Giants in the late 1950s, yet they held opposing philosophies: Lombardi was known for his emotional intensity, while Landry was famously stoic. The game was highly anticipated, with over 30 million viewers tuning in to watch the clash between the Packers' renowned sweep and the Cowboys' defensive Flex scheme.

Conditions were brutal. The kickoff temperature was −13 °F, and the stadium's $80,000 turf-heating system failed, leaving the field covered in a layer of ice that worsened as the game progressed. The cold was so severe that officials could not use metal whistles, as they froze to their skin, and members of the marching band were hospitalized for hypothermia. Despite the environment, the game remained competitive. Dallas took a 17–14 lead in the fourth quarter, leaving Green Bay with one final opportunity to secure a third consecutive NFL title.

With 4:50 remaining, Packers quarterback Bart Starr orchestrated a final drive down the frozen field. Facing third-and-goal at the two-foot line with only 16 seconds left, Starr consulted with Lombardi. Instead of a pass, Starr called a wedge play, keeping the ball himself to lunge across the goal line. The 21–17 victory cemented the Packers' legacy as the only team to win three consecutive NFL titles in the playoff era. The physical toll was immense; players from both teams suffered frostbite, and many were left emotionally spent in the locker room following the win.

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