‘84 49ers vs ‘66 Packers (Dream Season week 2)
The featured game of week 2 of the Dream Season
The Dream Season continues….
Watching this game is definitely a very unique experience. For obvious reasons, it’s challenging even for NFL Films to depict two teams facing each other who are many years apart. For that reason, the Dream Season doesn’t actually showcase any featured games between teams that are more than 9 years apart….except for this one.
The team of decade vs the team of the decade. The 1966 Green Bay Packers hosting the 1984 San Francisco 49ers. The 18-year difference is obvious in the footage but it doesn’t take away from any NFL fan or historians enjoyment of it. In fact, because of the differences in footage of those very different era’s, it’s easy to appreciate what NFL Films put together.
This game/episode aired on ESPN on Sunday night of NFL’s week 2 of 1989, September 17th to be exact (a day Steelers fans would rather like to forget, just like the week before).
Without a doubt, this is my favorite game of the Dream Season, perhaps because it has its own charm, but also because I know how difficult such video editing can be and, all things considered, it’s a quality production from NFL Films.
The only disappointment is we don’t get this showdown in Lambeau Field but it doesn’t take away from watching the game. Because of the footage they used between these two teams, they set this one in Milwaukee where the Packers would play multiple games per year.
Before we kickoff, here are the starting lineups for both teams
Announcers: Merrill Reese and Steve Sabol
You might have noticed that Paul Hornung gets the start over Elijah Pitts. Because of a pinched nerve in his neck, Hornung was limited to starting 6 games in 1966, and didn’t play in the Suer Bowl, whereas Pitts started 8 games including the Super Bowl.
Nonetheless, it’s more likely footage dictating the starter.
FIRST QUARTER of this game which aired on Sunday night September 9, 1989 on ESPN
SECOND QUARTER
I’ll show highlights of the other games from this week in my next Dream Season post.
THIRD QUARTER
You’ll notice one play that is extremely discolored. It’s simply my attempt to revive a portion of the damaged footage.
FOURTH QUARTER
CONCLUSION
They now decide to inform the viewer that both the Green Bay kicker and his backup were injured during the game. Would’ve been cool to know that before the final seconds to increase the drama.
So, what do you think?
Overall, very well done. I doubt that NFL Challenge playing out the game resulted in the kickers getting injured. I strongly assume it was NFL Films looking for a more dramatic ending while still staying true to the victor.
For my next post, I’ll show highlights of the other games played in week 2, including the ‘78 Steelers against the ‘68 Jets. Remember, it’s just a 6-week regular season.
I’ll leave you with a preview of two of the other games.