Playoff Bowl 1962

January 6, 1962- Detroit Lions 38 Philadelphia Eagles 10

The Eagles had won the NFL in 1960 and finished just a half-game behind the New York Giants for first place in the Eastern Conference in '61 standings with a 10-4 record. Eagles’ quarterback, Sonny Jurgensen, threw for a league record 3723 yards and 32 touchdowns. Tommy McDonald led the league in receiving with 1144 yards. The Lions were the second-best team in the West. Unfortunately, Vince Lombardi's Packers came to dominate the division and the NFL. Detroit was led by quarterback Jim Ninowski who threw for 1921 yards. His primary receiver was Gail Cogdill who caught passes for 956 yards. Nick Pietrosante led the Lions in rushing with 841 yards. The Lions lost any chance of catching the Packers in the West with a 17-9 loss on Thanksgiving Day.

Detroit avenged their season-ending 27-24 loss to the Eagles in the Runner Up Bowl by trouncing Philadelphia, 38-10. The game was viewed with much concern by NFL management as only 25,612 fans showed up for the Saturday contest in the Orange Bowl. Also, injuries to Eagles' stars Sonny Jurgensen and J.D. Smith had fans and officials questioning the need for the game. The Lions took a commanding 24-0 halftime lead and never looked back. They turned two interceptions by Yale Lary and Dick Lane and a fumble into first half points. Jim Ninowski and Earl Morrall shared quarterbacking duties, each throwing for two TD's while Morrall ran in a third from 5 yards. Terry Barr caught both Ninowski passes for 69 and 14 yard scores. Pat Studstill (18 yards) and Sam Williams (19 yards on a fake field goal) accounted for Morrall's. Jim Martin added an 18 yard field goal for the Lions. The Eagles scored their points in the third period on a 9 yard pass from King Hill to Pete Retzlaff and a 22 yard field goal by Bobby Walston.

Lions Smash Eagles, 38-10

MIAMI, Fla. (AP)- Detroit's rugged defenders manhandled Philadelphia Saturday while Jim Ninowski and Earl Morrall each threw 2 touchdown passes in a 38-10 victory before 25,6l2 fans in the 2nd Pro Playoff Bowl game at the Orange Bowl.

Following the lead of the Green Bay P a c k e r s who thumped the New York Giants last Sunday, the Lions also boosted Western conference prestige with this lopsided triumph in the battle of the two 2nd place teams.

Detroit turned 2 interceptions and a fumble into a 24-0 lead at halftime as their defenders gave the Eagles a rough time.

Sonny Jugensen, the Eagles' fine passer who tied a league record with 32 TD aerials this season, suffered a right shoulder separation during that first half rout. J. D. Smith, regular offensive tackle of the Eagles, twisted a knee in the third period. Both were lost to the East for the January 14 Pro Bowl Game at Los Angeles.

Time after time, Detroit’s defense broke through the Eagles’ line with Roger Brown, Alex Karras and Darris McCord, Wayne Walker and Joe Schmidt tormenting Jurgensen and his successor, King Hill.

Terry Barr caught Ninowski’s two TD passes on 69 and 14 yard plays. Morrall ran 5 yards for one score and hit Pat Studstill on an 18 yard TD pass and hit Sam William on a 19 yard pass after a fake field goal. Jim Martin, who added 5 extra points, also kicked an 18 yard field goal.

Philadelphia, a 2 1/2 point favorite, finally broke into the point column in the  3rd period on a 9 yard pass from Hill to Pete Retzlaff  and a 22 yard field goal by Bobby Walston, the National Football League’s all-time leading scorer.

Injured Jurgensen (in sunglasses) discusses strategy with quarterback King Hill and Coach Skorich

Jimmy Carr returns an intercepted pass for the Eagles

Scoring Summary

Frist Quarter

DET- FG Martin 18

DET- Barr 69 yard padd from Ninowski (Martin kick)

Second Quarter

DET- Morrall 5 run (Martin kick)

DET- Studstill 18 yard pass from Morrall (Martin kick)

Third Quarter

PHIL- Retzlaff 9 yard pass from Hill (Walston kick)

PHIL- FG Walston 22

DET- Barr 14 yard pass from Ninowski (Martin kick)

Fourth Quarter

DET- Williams 19 yard pass from Morrall (Martin kick)

Attendance: 25,612

RETURN