1972 Packers at Redskins Divisional Playoff

[@gregroeper2976]

I remember watching this game at my grandma’s house. Good ole hard hitting football.

[@mloftus8618]

I miss RFK. That stadium rocked...literally! There was nothing like getting that lower bowl bouncing up and down in rhythm.

[@frankdenardo8684]

Last game for legendary Green Bay Packers linebacker Ray Nitschke. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. His first year of eligibility.

[@Fireyninjadog]

Sadly died 20 years later. RIP

[@frankdenardo8684]

@@Fireyninjadog Best ever player from the Lombardi era. Ray's legacy is his number 66 was retired, his name is on the Green Bay Packers Wall of Honor, a member of The Pro Football Hall of Fame and made an appearance in a 1974 Burt Reynolds movie The Longest Yard.

[@michaellorusso4912]

Couldn't be a pimple on Butkus' ass...

[@billyz5088]

That sandwich hit Kilmer took early on was brutal - back then they just called it; 'getting your bell rung' - nobody but doctors ever used the word 'concussion' - but that's what it was.

[@3243_]

Kilmer's not wearing a chinstrap didn't help matters either.

[@VolumedMusicMan]

Today that would’ve been a penalty - spearing.

[@bernieudo4399]

Football was rough then. Prob the trainer would run out with smelling salts. Getting your bell rung was just earning your stripes. No crybabies allowed.

[@allinfun829]

Today's useless candy player would be out a month from it. Kilmer didn't even miss a play. Tells you something about what a real football player is.

[@timjensen6968]

For sure

[@SheltonWalden]

Billy Kilmer - one tough dude - REAL dude!

[@luisvaldes1568]

I remember Pat Fisher as a kid watching 70's NFL Football. What a player.

[@aliasdyln33]

Hi Luis. Agreed, and I so loved his great defensive plays against one opponent - tall and talented Harold Carmichael - wide receiver of the Eagles, back in the day.

[@DNSKansas]

The Cardinals were foolish to give up on him. Imagine him with Roger Wehrli AND Larry Wilson from 69-72 in the same secondary.

[@jawarapittman6889]

@@DNSKansas Indeed, Cardinals would've been contending maybe more earlier.

[@frankdenardo8684]

Pat Fisher should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

[@fwb41]

Fischer was a Veterinarian in his off-season job, working on Horses. I remember hearing him talking about that to Sonny Jurgensen on the Redskins Sidelines tv show back in 1976.

[@denisceballos9745]

QB Billy Kilmer (17) was a tough one; you can see that those plastic helmets didn’t offer much protection in those days. A lot of old pros in this one ; Chris Hanburger (55) HOF, Pat Fischer, Carroll Dale (84), playing his last game as a Packer, Roy Jefferson (80), the former Steeler and Colt. The “Ramskins” going to the NFC championship game.

[@georgehahn6149]

Today he would've been in concussion protocol

[@kennethcollins6494]

Yes Ramskins referring to all the ex Rams that followed George. Talbert Pardee and others

[@64bulldrdr]

After MASHING Kilmer, there was no excessive amount of celebration. ....That's classic NFL.

[@frankfurfaro3891]

This game broke my heart as a packer fan

[@fwb41]

Who did you like better -- John Brockington or MacArthur Lane? I liked them Both-- and Chester Marcol too. Too Bad the Pack had no Quarterback.... I think Dan Devine messed up Hunter AND Tagge-- He sure didn't know how to handle Quarterbacks.

[@Jungla694]

i became a packer fan that day - i was 8

[@garrywilliams5777]

You are correct about Devine and QBs. Ask Joe Montana with this idiot at Notre Dame. Enough said.

[@kvernon1]

Same here -- I was only 11 years old when I watched this game on TV, and took the loss really hard.

[@chestermarcol3831]

@@Jungla694 I was 9 and I got a Packer helmet for Christmas the next day. I still own that helmet. It sits by my TV in the den.

[@Tommy-76]

“Helmet askew, belly protruding, socks sagging around his ankles, Billy Kilmer was once again spiritual leader of the Redskins”

[@previnlubom4498]

Classic 🏈

[@waynemiles7027]

Thank you John Facenda!

[@fwb41]

Kilmer was My HERO... My Dad on the other hand liked Jurgensen...and he always pointed out the fact that the Reason that Kilmer got to be the Skins QB was due to Jurgy's BAD LUCK with Injuries in 1971 & 1972. I remember the Quarterback Contest in Redskins Land back then --- with the I LIKE BILLY and I LIKE SONNY bumper stickers...I got a BILLY One😊

[@mloftus8618]

Lol😂 - classic! Kilmer was awesome

[@64bulldrdr]

The Kilmer "PACKERS" sandwich, would've resulted in a FEDERAL INDICTMENT if that were Tom Brady

[@mloftus8618]

Awesome! Hail to the Redskins, forever! Love watching these old timey games from before my time. The game was so much more pure back then.

[@chrisuncleahmad]

1972- the one year in the 70s where the Cowboys/Rams/Vikings did not win a division title

[@dougmaclennan8654]

How many 1970s NFC playoffs games did not include one of the Cowboys-Vikings-Rams?

[@westholmes2001]

@@dougmaclennan8654 Throughout the 1970’s, there were only five NFC playoff games that didn’t have either the Cowboys, Vikings or Rams in the game. Three of the games occurred during the 1978 and 1979 seasons. 1978 was the season where the Wild Card Game debuted, giving each conference five playoff teams and the regular season increased to 16 games from 14 games. 1971 NFC Divisional: Washington vs. San Francisco 1972 NFC Divisional: Green Bay vs. Washington 1978 NFC Wild Card: Philadelphia vs. Atlanta 1979 NFC Wild Card: Chicago vs. Philadelphia 1979 NFC Divisional: Philadelphia vs. Tampa Bay

[@dougmaclennan8654]

@@westholmes2001 wow. Thanks. So cropped another way, from 1969-1977 there were only two NFC playoff games that didn’t feature on of those three teams.

[@tomb4575]

John Brockington and Skins Larry Brown's career was shortened by knee injuries.

[@michaelleroy9281]

The Cowboys were still a wild card team

[@yeildo1492]

Bart Starr was the Packers' offensive coordinator all year. The Pack gets to the playoffs and Devine decides to call plays himself. Not a great move.

[@howardcosell2022]

Stemmed from the regular season loss to Washington when the Packers amassed just 187 yards

[@yeildo1492]

@@howardcosell2022 Well they did no better when they met in the playoffs. I have to believe that Bart Starr was a better plaay caller than Dan Devine.

[@serich9722]

Pat Fischer is HOF material. A symbol of what Pro Football was all about!

[@comradedobler3407]

I agree wholeheartedly as I am sure George Allen did too!

[@sneakerfacevids441]

Disagree

[@michaellorusso4912]

Good, but not HOF material.

[@serich9722]

@@michaellorusso4912 IYHO

[@mikelogan629]

That "over the hill" gang defense was fun to watch!!

[@DNSKansas]

First home playoff game for the REDSKINS since winning the 1942 NFL championship

[@dannythomas7378]

It’s a shame what the NFL is turning into now since it is Woke

[@brando7266]

@@dannythomas7378 all sports have been pussified, especially football and hockey,

[@billdang3953]

Before they became the "DeadSkins".

[@kevinquinn4499]

Been waiting for this post for years! Previously the only document was super 8 footage that someone had posted. Thank you!

[@Playsinvain]

Agree. This game had fallen through the cracks

[@yusufu9]

Kilmer was hammered so hard by that hit that he must have had a flashback to the horrific car accident in 1962, when (under the influence) he lost control of his vehicle, rocketed off the highway and ended up in San Francisco Bay. The docs said his leg injuries would prevent him from ever playing again, and that he would be lucky if regained the ability to walk. Talk about tough ... he lost one season, but his desire to play resulted in an amazing comeback and career.

[@3243_]

The Washington Commanders need to go back to either these or the 1960s uniforms.

[@ivanlambert5524]

Thank you so much for this game's highlights, Comrade. I have looked for it many times before and found only shorter versions. Remember this game as a kid.... anytime you want to post old Redskins games or their highlights, I would sure greatly appreciate it! Thanks again!

[@tommythomason6187]

Kilmer was gutsy, no doubt about it, but all those guys were tougher than old leather back then. Redskins shut down Green Bay's running game, and that was what won the game. Halfback, Larry Brown,(#43) had a huge year for Washington.

[@bishlap]

Dan Devine was a strange man that really knew FOOTBALL. He built this Packers team like his Mizzou teams, STRONG DEFENSE, STRONGER RUNNING GAME... yet it was his inability to change that cost the Pack this game. He ran and ran and ran vs G. Allen's 5 man front and got nowhere. The Packers had the 2 worst QB's (throwing-wise) in the league, Scott Hunter and Jerry Tagge, when they finally gambled on a pass more than 5 yards, Hunter hit Jon Staggers in stride for a ALMOST TD, Staggers dropped it - GAME OVER. I say to this day, The Pack was a better team, they were outcoached on this day.

[@DNSKansas]

There is a great book about the Devine years in Green Bay on Amazon

[@bishlap]

@@DNSKansas I know it did not end well w/ Packers fans, someone even killed Devine's dog IIRC. I'll take a peek at that book, thanks.

[@scooter5940]

He was a lousy pro coach, and his inability to adjust on that day demonstrates it perfectly. Plenty of knowledgeable people in the Packers organization and his own players said he knew little about the game itself - complete buffoon. Recruited well - that's what it takes in college.

[@fwb41]

@@scooter5940 He also knew Nothing about handling Quarterbacks...he went through Hunter-Tagge-Del Gaizo-Concannon & Hadl-- None of whom Panned Out. He also left Starr with nothing to build on in 1975, when the Packers went 4-10 the year after Devine left.

[@aarondigby5054]

Wasn't Devine the coach at Notre Dame before coming to Green Bay

[@donwert5039]

These PACKERS were one hit wonders. They stunk in 1970 and 1971. Then again 1973 , 74 , 75 etc

[@Jiltedin2007]

And in 1978, the Packers took a mean shit going from 7-2 to missing the playoffs!

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

MacArthur Lane supporting John Brockington. They didn't have it to that caliber the other years. And my goodness, NO PASSING game...unreal to think they averaged just 101 yards passing per game.

[@brians7181]

Things may have turned out differently if they packaged their #2 overall and #16 overall to move up one spot to pick Terry Bradshaw in 1970, or took Ken Anderson or Lynn Dickey with their 2nd round pick in 1971 or took Cliff Branch instead of Jerry Tagge with their 2nd 1st round pick in 1972, or Curly Culp or Ken Stabler in the 2nd round of 1969 instead of Bill Lueck. Then again, Dan Devine was such a buffoon he probably would have wasted that talent.

[@fwb41]

@@manuginobilisbaldspot424 1972 was the Year Of The Running Back... with a lot of 1,000 yard Runners.

[@fwb41]

@@brians7181 He DID get Brockington through a trade with the Broncos in 1971...then in 1972 he got Rookie Of The Year Marcol-- the Only kicker in NFL history to Get That. And-- he got MacArthur Lane in a trade with the Cardinals in 1972.

[@tino6846]

I had just turned 56 a big Redskins fan watching this game in person

[@johntabler349]

These were my sports heroes as a kid gritty tough guys who were always achieving a little more than their physical ability said they should

[@kvernon1]

The key to the Redskins' victory was (1) coach George Allen implemented a 5-man defensive front that stopped the Packers' running game cold, and (2) Packer coach Dan Devine didn't see the need to make any adjustments and kept trying to run the ball. This was the one and only season the Packers made the playoffs under Devine, and he is regarded as one of the team's least respected coaches. But no denying the Redskins had a great team. They blasted the Cowboys the following week and were crowned NFC champions.

[@Mshine2]

less than a minute in... [pause] got my popcorn, Lets Go!

[@kennethcollins6494]

First I’ve ever seen this, love George Allen, Ramskins referring to all the ex Rams that followed him to Washington after he was fired

[@Fireyninjadog]

The first of 12 playoff games at RFK stadium. The skins won 11 of those games

[@brando7266]

What's their only loss,to Seattle?

[@NosferatusCoffin]

@@brando7266 1984. Bears 23 Skins 19.

[@brando7266]

@@NosferatusCoffin thanks,

[@Martin-pt5on]

I would love to see any video of this playoff game...

[@brucedavis3816]

Suprisingly the only playoff wins for GA was this game and Dallas the next week!!!

[@mjwings3]

I was like 3 months old. Kilmer was one tough SOB. But I guess they all were with how the game was then. Had to be.

[@howardcosell2022]

Holdovers from the Packers last post season game (Super Bowl II)-Ray Nitschke, Carroll Dale, Dave Robinson, Ken Bowman, Tommy Crutcher, Robert Brown, and Gale Gillingham

[@luisvaldes1568]

Crazy, George Allen is mobbed after the game, cap is taken off his head. Where's security.

[@howardcosell2022]

This was the seventies. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4SZeXqtpLelobs

[@gparsons8]

I didn't see any comments with regard to how the Redskins handled the 1-2 punch of the Packers run game. He installed Manny Sistruck over the center and that 5 man front dared Devine to throw the ball and he still tried to run on the genesis of the Over the Hill Gang.

[@drbonesshow1]

In today's game, this play would have led to arrests: 0:58

[@MarcKevinSmith]

Double spear. Ah, the good ol’ days.

[@briannat1086]

My dad always said George Allen was a great coach. And I don't remember my dad liking the redskins very much. Great times.

[@shanetrimble9265]

Awesome

[@evancortez2]

That was a nasty hit to the head Kilmer took! These days he would have had to sit out a few plays after a hit to the head like that in accordance with the concussion protocol but back then you just sniffed some smelling salts and got back in the game! These guys weren't pussies!

[@davanmani556]

I think it affected him in the Super Bowl.

[@cliffordscharff8536]

They used to call it "he got his bell ring" or "shaking off the cobwebs".

[@greghobbs1728]

Dude, the former GM of the Packers, who played for the Cowboys for 10 years just died at 68 due to the effects of constant head trauma. He traded Favre after drafting Aaron Rodgers. Just a couple of days ago, commenting on Mahomes's concussion, Favre said that he isn't at all certain about his own future. Furthermore, Bradshaw has stated that his head is pretty messed up. Today's "protocols" protect the players from themselves and the future of the game from neanderthals who call people "pussies" for being intelligent and valuing that intelligence.

[@DNSKansas]

@@davanmani556 Kilmer vs. the No-Names? The second most one-sided QB vs. defense matchup in Super Bowl history, trailing only Kerry Collins vs. the 2000 Ravens. Kilmer had no chance vs. the Dolphins if he were 1,000%.

[@joemoney7986]

0:45- At first I thought that was Willie Davis. Woulda thought his number was retired.3:33- Ok, well not exactly a "rope". 3:45- Jefferson. Charley Taylor was a badass reciever, too. That was back even before high-five was invented. All they had was two-handed low five. 3:48- Da f**k out da way. 3:56-Nitshkeeeee! I was a very young packer fan but I remember not being the slightest bit stunned. The Redskins were the better team that season.4:30- Whoa. Alright then. 5:13- geez, that is a nice tackle. Brockington was a tank. 6:12- Yeah, baby. I was wondering if we was gonna get the classic NFL films background jam . My favorite along with the one that sounds like "what do you do with a drunken sailor".

[@allinfun829]

This should have been a Vikings - Redskins rematch from week 1. But the Vikes had a really weird year. They were the only team to beat Miami. But wait a phantom roughing call on Bob Lurtsema on 3rd and long saves a TD drive when Minnesota had a 14-9 lead late. Yep they fixed games back then too.

[@brando7266]

Google what happened when the dolphins played the Vikings in the super bowl ( the next year), blowout,

[@al.g.7125]

If the Packers had a somewhat decent Quarterback,they could very well won this game

[@brucedavis3816]

GA was 2 and 6 in playoffs!!!!

[@Jiltedin2007]

They should have showed the Redskins locker room celebration after this game.

[@jmb01550]

I agree with that especially the line Allen says "Now we get those S.O.B. Cowboys next week" and the Redskins players cheered.

[@gmaqwert]

I was a 7 year old Packers fan who actually thought they had a chance.

[@davidwarner2808]

Me too! Age 6!

[@scooter5940]

I was 9. Packers had a good team though it was. one-year flash. Starr's first year of retirement and the was QB coach. He was begging Devine to throw more early in the game, as the Redskins came out in a 5-man front to thwart GB's powerful running game. Devine, never big on X's and O's, refused. Devine was a terrible coach at the pro level. Game got out of hand pretty fast.

[@bemore1134]

@@scooter5940 IMO, yes & no. they had a prolific running game, and not only were their QBs limited in both experience & talent, but their WRs were pretty ordinary. With personnel like that, you don't simply ignore the running game & pass incessantly like it's some kind of video game. And Washington had guys like Fischer, Mike Bass, Richie Petitbon & brig Owens in the defensive backfield & a good pass rush. Even against the 5-man line the needed to run the ball better but couldn't. Devine certainly was outmatched by Allen. But they just didn't have the weapons necessary against that defense. I might be wrong but didn't they shut out Dallas the next week, or give up 3 points or something?

[@scooter5940]

@@bemore1134 Washington made the SB and lost to the 14-0 Dolphins only by a touchdown, so of course they were very good, as was their defense. No team could pass like it was Madden in 1972 because the rules were different, so I am not arguing that. The Packers did lack talent at QB and in the downfield passing game, but they did have speed outside the defense needed to honor. Starr's idea was to send the TE and backs out in short patterns in the hole vacated by the MLB in the 5-2, and let them run after the catch. Besides Devine, two injuries killed the Pack's chances. Their solid TE, Rich McGeorge, was lost for the year early in the season. And - to your point about "needing to run the ball better" - idiot Devine inexplicably moved Gale Gillingham, arguably the best guard in football, to defensive tackle in 1972 - where he was also lost for the year early in the season.

[@utahsilvey5930]

I wonder if Tom brady could have took those 1972 qb hits

[@Vezzo55]

Never in a million years 🤣

[@garrywilliams5777]

Absolutely not . His QB expectancy would have been 5-10 years in 60s,70s, and 80s. Just not tough enough.

[@michaelleroy9281]

We won't know, Tom Brady wasn't born yet

[@utahsilvey5930]

@@michaelleroy9281 I know he wouldn't have lasted 5 years

[@brando7266]

@@garrywilliams5777 he was always scared of getting hit,even when he was young,,that's why he's not the goat,more like the loat,

[@ripwff7502]

HTTR Hail to the Redskins!!!

[@theprofessor8589]

Herb Mul- Key!!!!! #28

[@DavidSilva-fq7nt]

Tom Brady wouldn't last one game in this era.

[@ynotttt]

I bet those helmets weren’t so good back then…

[@christianorr1059]

HTTR!

[@poopstain]

Kilmer was another Joe Kapp. Tough as nails, inspirational leader his team would follow to hell and back -- incapable of making the meaningful throws on the biggest stage.

[@merseybeat1963]

I loved the Packers from 69' but I loved football more. I went to play football that day instead of watch this game on tv. I heard they lost it at the end of the game, which pretty much was the end from then on as they were hopeless for the next few years and by the time they got Dickey and football became some sort of ariel free for all I had lost interest. This game was the end though. A great Defense and Running Backs but zero Quarterback.And putting an All Pro Gillingham on to Defense resulting in him out for the season was the dumbest move of all.Devine knew he was out if they didn't win so he blew those top draft choices on Hadl for selfish reasons.He should be in there Packers Hall of KaKa for that one selfish move. I never got to see a Pro Football game in person. Once I was offered tickets to go to a NY Giants game in Yankee Stadium. Nope Id rather play football. I loved it.

[@drbonesshow1]

Don't look to the ref for some skin: 3:49

[@sportshistorybuff319]

A very lame effort by the Packers. Still remember how impotent their offense was over 60 minutes. And Washington had also beaten GB during the regular season. Scott Hunter wasn't the answer at QB. What happened to the Pack in 1973? Injuries? Overconfidence? Retirements followed by a bad draft? Unwise trades? The Giants also had a promising season in 1972 but suffered the same fate in the years ahead. Both times couldn't reach the playoffs for about a decade, with GB missing the post-season for another decade after their 1982 loss to the Cowboys in the Round of 16 game.

[@smilanesi98]

George Allen outcoached Dan Devine. The Skins were very good especially at home. GB did not have much at QB. They won by running and defense. But if Devine would have listened to Bart Starr this would have been a close game.

[@drbonesshow1]

The same old Skins needed a Snake-skin Stabler to win it all.

[@dougamundson6836]

GDSOB....if the Packers had had even an AVERAGE QB, the 'Skins would have been cooked.

[@luisvaldes1568]

Kilmer needs a hair cut.

[@edwardhale4294]

sweet memory