Today In Patriots History Oct 8, 1960: Pats shock Chargers in LA, 35-0

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1960: Boston KO's Chargers, 35-0
Defense forces five turnovers
Pats jump out to early 25-0 lead, cruise to victory in LA​

Saturday October 8, 1960 at 11:00 pm
Week 5, Game 4 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Boston Patriots 35, Los Angeles Chargers 0
Head Coaches: Lou Saban, Sid Gillman
QBs: Butch Songin; Bob Clatterbuck, Jack Kemp
Odds: Los Angeles favored by 6
TV: Not televised
Patriots improve to 2-2, Chargers drop to 2-3


In this period of time most teams had their quarterback call their own offensive plays. Head coach Lou Saban had previously been a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns from 1946-49, and adopted a play calling method created by Paul Brown. Rather than have the QB call plays, Saban did so himself from the sidelines via a messenger - in this case with running backs Jim Crawford and Alan Miller alternating plays and relaying the play call to the rest of the offense in the huddle.

For this particular game the plan worked perfectly.


The Patriots received the opening kickoff and marched down the field on a methodical 10-play drive that stalled at the 15 yard line, yielding a 23-yard Gino Cappelletti field goal. The ensuing kickoff was fumbled and recovered by Jack Rudolph on the 25-yard line. Five plays later Ron Burton scored on a four yard rush. The snap on the extra point was bad, but Cappelletti alertly threw to Crawford for a 2-point conversion.

Before fans had a chance to settle into their seats the Patriots were already up 11-0.


The Chargers were able to gain only 17 yards on their next drive before having to punt again. Crawford ran 34 yards to the Charger 19 yard line, and two plays later Butch Songin threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jim Colclough.

With the first quarter almost over the Chargers had run a total of six offensive plays - and trailed 18-0.


Los Angeles still could not get anything going offensively, managing just one first down on their next two possessions. On the second play of Boston's next possession Songin completed a 78-yard pass to Billy Wells that gave Boston a first down at the five-yard line. Three plays laster Crawford dove in for a one-yard TD, and with 4:36 left in the half the Patriots were up 25-0.


The Patriot defense kept the pressure up, with a sack for a loss of eight forcing another San Diego punt after just one first down. At halftime the Patriots had gained 247 net yards to only 56 for the Chargers, with an 11-5 advantage in first downs. LA quarterback Bob Clatterbuck had completed six of his eight passes, but for only 42 yards. The Pats defense had completely neutralized LA's running game, holding them to 19 yards on 11 carries - a miniscule 1.27 yards per carry.


Jack Kemp replaced Clatterbuck as the Charger quarterback to start the second half. His first three passes were complete, but the fourth was intercepted by Harry Jacobs. On a 3rd-and-3 Butch Songin's pass for Jim Colclough was incomplete - bacause it hit the goal post, which was at the goal line rather than the back of the end zone at that time. The Patriots went for it on 4th down and **** Christy ran around the right end for a seven yard gain, down to the one. Miller punched it in from one yard out and the game was officially a rout.

The Pats defense forced a three-and-out on the next possession, and on the next drive Gino padded the lead to 35-0 with a 33 yard field goal.


For some reason the AFL had byes in weeks 4, 5, 7 and 11, resulting in this being the Patriots fourth game of the season and Chargers fifth. It was the second time in five games that LA was shut out, but they responded to the loss in a positive manner. The Chargers went 8-1 the rest of the way, including a 45-16 rematch against the Patriots two weeks later. LA's offense became a juggernaut, scoring 183 points in their final four games. The Chargers won the AFL West with a 10-4 record, before falling to Houston 24-16 in the first ever American Football league championship game.

AFL Media Game Summary with complete stats, notes and full play-by-play.

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Boston Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers - October 8th, 1960 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Boston Patriots 35 at Los Angeles Chargers 0 on October 8th, 1960 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1978: NE beats Vermeil-Jaworski Eagles
Steve Nelson with 9 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries
Pats jump out to 17-0 lead, hang on to win 24-14​

Sunday October 8, 1978 at 1:00
Week 6, Game 6 at Schaefer Stadium
New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 14
Head Coaches: Chuck Fairbanks, **** Vermeil
QBs: Steve Grogan, Ron Jawaorski
Odds: New England favored by 7
TV: CBS; Gary Bender, Hank Stram
Patriots improve to 4-2, Eagles drop to 3-3


The Patriots had to some from behind to win their previous two games, but not this time. In week 4 the Pats were down 14-0 in the first quarter at Oakland before winning 21-14, and in week 5 San Diego was up 20-7 in the second half when the Patriots came back to win 28-23. This time the Pats led all the way, though fourth quarter turnovers made the final score close.


On the second play from scrimmage Doug Beaudoin hit RB Wilbert Montgomery, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Steve Nelson. Andy Johnson fumbled the ball right back, but the defense was able to force a punt. On Philadelphia's next drive Montgomery fumbled again, and Raymond Clayborn recovered. This time the Patriots were able to take advantage, with Don Calhoun finishing the drive off with a two-yard touchdown run.

Philadelphia's next drive stalled with a 4th-and-7 at the Patriot 44. The Eagles lined up to punt, but the snap went to the up man, who carried it near the first down marker. The chains were brought out and Philly was just short, allowing the Patriots to take over on downs at their 39. On first down Grogan connected with Morgan again, for a gain of 32 yards. The Pats had to settle for a 42-yard David Posey field goal, but led 10-0 after one quarter.


After another Philly punt the Patriots ground out a vintage 12-play, 87-yard drive that consumed 8:10 off the clock. The key plays were a 19-yard pass to Andy Johnson on a 2nd-and 12, and a 21-yard Horace Ivory sweep behind John Hannah and Leon Gray. On the next play Sam Cunningham hurdled into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown, giving the Patriots a 17-0 lead.

The Eagles finally got on the board with 1:12 left in the half on a 28-yard touchdown from Jaworski to Harold Carmichael.


The Patriots went three-and-out to start the second half. A punt of 29 yards combined with an 11-yard return gave the Eagles a first down on the Pats 40 yard line. (Jerrel Wilson had a horrible game, averaging 30.0 yards gross on his three punts.) But on second down Jaworski fumbled the snap, and Steve Nelson recovered to prevent a Philly score. Two plays later Grogan made a beautiful pass to Stanley Morgan, who caught it at the 12 and ran it in for a 58-yard touchdown.

That made the score 24-7, but miscues by the Pats kept the outcome in doubt. Philadelphia scored on their next possession, then Horace Ivory fumbled in the red zone. The Patriot defense forced anothe punt, and on the ensuing drive the Pats agin drove into the red zone. This time Posey's 36-yard field goal attempt was wide left, and Philly still had life.


The Eagles drove to the Patriot 46 but Jaws was sacked by Richard Bishop. On the next play Jaworski completed a short pass but Nelson's hit on Keith Krepfle forced a fumble, and Nelly recovered, giving the Pats the ball back on their 43 with 6:15 left to play.


The drama wasn't over yet though. Grogan threw an interception on a pass intended for Carlos Pennywell. The defense was stout once again. Facing a 4th-and-10 on their own 12 yard line, **** Vermeil felt compelled to punt even though thre was less than five minutes to play. The Patriots got the ball back and wound the clock down, but incredibly fumbled the ball away yet again. However there was only a 1:38 left at this point and with only one timeout remaining, it was too late for the Eagles.

Although there was only one interception in this game there were eight turnovers - four by each team.


Stanley Morgan's three receptions for 104 yards and a TD were the offensive highlight for the Patriots. Andy Johnson had over 100 yards from scrimmage, with 51 yards on 11 carries and five catches for 58 yards. But the real star of the game was Steve Nelson, who had nine tackles (six solo) and three fumble recoveries.

This was **** Vermeil's third season as Philly's head coach. After going 4-12 in 1976 and 5-11 in 1977, the Eagles would make the playoffs in 1978 with a 9-7 record. A year later they finished 11-5, and in 1980 they made it to the Super Bowl, losing to Oakland, after a 12-4 season.

Quick 1:00 Highlight Video
10/8/1978 Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots highlights, National Football League Week 6



19:56 Extended Video
1978-10-08 Philadelphia Eagles vs New England Patriots



2:48:31 Full Game
1978 Eagles @ Patriots
​

NFL Media Game Summary, complete with handwritten notes, stats and full play-by-play

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots - October 8th, 1978 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Philadelphia Eagles 14 at New England Patriots 24 on October 8th, 1978 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 2006: Pats 20, Miami 10
Asante Samuels' two picks lead to 14 points
Troy Brown: 5 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD​

Sunday October 8, 2006 at 1:00
Week 5, Game 5 at Gillette Stadium
New England Patriots 20, Miami Dolphins 10
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Nick Saban
QBs: Tom Brady, Joey Harrington
Odds: New England favored by 9½
TV: CBS; Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
Patriots improve to 4-1, Dolphins drop to 1-4


The Patriots survived the combination of a poor running game and a meh day from Tom Brady, defeating Miami 20-10.
Fortunately Asante Samuel had two interceptions, both of which led to New England touchdowns.
Joey Harrington got the start for Miami due to Daunte Culpepper's shoulder injury.

Ups & downs

A look at who's up and who's down from the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Dolphins.

www.boston.com

Ups​

Troy Brown — One week after playing mostly defense, he returns to receiver and totals five catches for 58 yards and one touchdown. His four non-touchdown catches all result in first downs.​

​

Run defense — Unit limits the Dolphins to 62 yards on 21 carries (3.0-yard average).​

​

Rodney Harrison — Safety totals nine tackles and forces a fumble on the second play of the game.​

​

Asante Samuel — Cornerback’s two interceptions lead to 14 Patriots points.​

​

Downs​

Kevin Faulk — Fumbles on a punt return, accounting for the Patriots’ lone turnover.​

​

Ellis Hobbs — Credit the cornerback for playing less than two weeks after having surgery on his broken wrist, although he had a tough time lining up against Wes Welker (9 catches) in the slot, and also had a 15-yard facemask penalty.​

​

Rushing offense — One week after totaling 236 yards against the Bengals, the Patriots total 79 yards on 34 rushes (2.3 avg.).​

Patriots escape Dolphins net, 20-10

www.patriots.com

Defense was on display at Gillette Stadium Sunday, as New England took advantage of some Miami miscues to the tune of a 20-10 win.​

​

Both teams had trouble running the ball consistently. Miami's Ronnie Brown was held to only 39 yards by a stout Patriots defense while the Miami defense was up for the challenge of stopping Laurence Maroney, limiting him to only 38 yards on 18 carries. Corey Dillon had a 4.5 per carry average but only ran the ball 10 times as he was used sparingly in the second half.​

​

Tom Brady struggled at times as he often does against the Dolphins. His numbers were 16 of 29 for 140 yards although he did have two touchdown passes without an interception.​

​

The player of the game on offense for New England was Troy Brown with his 5 catches for 58 yards. On defense, Asante Samuel had two interceptions.​

New England converted an early Dolphins turnover into three points. On Miami's first possession of the game, Brown fumbled on a Rodney Harrison tackle. Tedy Bruschi recovered and New England was first and 10 on the Dolphins 37. Brady converted a third and 2 with an 11-yard pass to Brown but other that play and an 8-yard run by Dillon, New England got no further than the 17 and settled for a 35-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal.​

​

Miami embarked on a methodical drive that had them as close as the New England 24. A holding call on Justin Peelle knocked them back 10 yards and from there New England held on. Olindo Mare attempted a 40-yard field goal but the kick was blocked by Mike Wright to preserve the 3-point lead for New England.​

New England made it 2 for 2 on drives for points with another Gostkowski field goal, this one a 31-yarder on the following possession. The Patriots played it conservative throughout the 15-play drive, converting one fourth and 1 with a 5-yard pass to Reche Caldwell along the way.​

​

Harrington followed up with a third and 10 interception. Samuel made a good read on a ball intended for Wes Welker and took the return 26 yards to the Miami 10-yard line. After a run for no gain by Maroney, Brady hit Brown in the middle of the end zone for a 13-0 lead with 7:49 left in the first half.​

Finally, Samuel's second interception of the day set up a Patriot score with 9:47 left to play in the game. Harrington was looking for Welker and fired a bullet behind his receiver. The ball popped up off Welker's arm and Samuel made the catch, taking the return to the Miami 24.​

​

New England took over and after an incomplete and a 2-yard Maroney run, Brady looked for Doug Gabriel deep. Will Allen was in coverage with his back to the ball, banged into Gabriel and was flagged for pass interference at the 1-yard line.​

​

The break was all Brady needed. On the next play he lobbed a pass to a wide open Heath Evans for a 20-10 lead.​

Quick 2:36 Highlight Video
Dolphins vs Patriots 2006 Week 5



31:46 Extended Highlights
2006-10-08 Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots



2:11:43 Full Game
2006 week 5 Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
​

Pats Media Dept Pre-Game Press Release

12 page NFL Media Game Summary, with full stats, drive charts and play-by-play

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts and Play-by-Play:

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots - October 8th, 2006 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Miami Dolphins 10 at New England Patriots 20 on October 8th, 2006 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 2000: Quarterback Controversy
Michael Bishop throws the ball 60 yards for a Hail Mary TD
Highlight of Tony Simmons' career​

Sunday October 8, 2000 at 1:00
Week 6, Game 6 at Foxboro Stadium
New England Patriots 24, Indianapolis Colts 16
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Jim Mora
QBs: Drew Bledsoe, Michael Bishop; Peyton Manning
Odds: Indianapolis favored by 3½
TV: CBS; Kevin Harlan, Daryl Johnston; Beasley Reece
Patriots improve to 2-4, Colts drop to 3-2


Nobody remembers the outcome of this game. But fans in New England did lose their collective minds, calling for Drew Bledsoe to be replaced by Michael Bishop as the starting quarterback of the Patriots.

​

More trivia for you: on this day in 2000, three different Patriots completed passes.
Bledsoe and Bishop are the easy answers.
The third?
Punter/place kick holder Lee Johnson, who threw an 18-yard completion to Eric Bjornson (more trivia) to set up a TD pass to Terry Glenn, putting the Patriots up by 11 midway through the fourth quarter.

QB Bishop and WR Simmons - Play of the Week

www.patriots.com

Bishop's Hail Mary tied the score at 10 at halftime. It seemed to invigorate the Patriots, who had gone FG-Punt-Punt-Punt on their previous possessions. On their first drive of the second half the Patriots scored on an 11-play, 77-yard 4:45 drive to take a 17-13 lead.

Ty Law intercepted Peyton Manning (here have we heard this before?) on the Colts' next possession, leading up to Lee Johnson's fake field goal attempt pass. After the touchdown pass to Terry Glenn made the score 24-13, the Colts were in panic mode.


Indy's next possessions consisted of:
- 3-and-out;
- 3-and-Manning pass intercepted by Tebucky Jones;
- 5-and-Manning pass intercepted by Antwan Harris;
- Time consuming drive resulting in a stupid and meaningless field goal with 34 sconds remaining.

Belichick says trick plays can work, but only if the situation is right.

Pats rolled dice, won FOXBORO - Bill Belichick isn't seen as a gambling, risk-taking kind of football coach. But the straight-laced Patriots' coach took some chances on several occasions Sunday…

www.capecodtimes.com

Pats rolled dice, won​

​

Bill Belichick isn't seen as a gambling, risk-taking kind of football coach.​

​

But the straight-laced Patriots' coach took some chances on several occasions Sunday to help his team earn an important victory over the Indianapolis Colts.​

​

Belichick called for a fake field goal, a flea-flicker and a Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half in the Patriots' 24-16 victory.​

​

Two of the three trick plays worked to perfection: the fake field goal pass by punter Lee Johnson resulted in an 18-yard pickup by tight end Eric Bjornson and set up the Patriots' final touchdown. The 44-yard Hail Mary heave by backup quarterback Michael Bishop to Tony Simmons brought the Patriots into a 10-10 tie at the half and gave them important momentum.​

​

- - - - -​

BJORNSON BELONGS: Until Sunday, tight end Eric Bjornson had felt like an outsider in the Patriots' locker room. Now he knows he belongs.​

​

"Everybody wants to play, everybody wants to contribute," the 28-year-old San Francisco native said. "From Day One, that's all I've wanted."​

​

But until Sunday, when he caught a clutch 18-yard pass from punter Lee Johnson on a fake field goal as well as a 4-yard touchdown strike from Drew Bledsoe, Bjornson hadn't done much since joining the Pats.​

​

"I can't worry about expectations or playing up to somebody else's level," he said, referring to his predecessor, former All-Pro Ben Coates. "I just go out and do the best I can with what I have."​

​

Coates, and before him Marv Cook, traditionally had some of their biggest performances against the Colts.​

​

But Bjornson had managed only 14 receptions for 102 yards in his five previous starts for the Pats, so the fact he was open to catch the go-ahead touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter and, later, Johnson's spiral on the fake field goal can hardly be described as surprising.​

​

"They were probably focusing on Terry (Glenn) and Troy (Brown) more than me," said Bjornson. "I'm just glad I was able to make a couple of plays."​

​

Bjornson was the butt of some good-natured teasing by his teammates after his big-time performance.​

​

"He proved he's pretty sneaky," joked fellow tight end Rod Rutledge, referring to Bjornson's reception of Johnson's pass. "A guy with that kind of stealth ought to be working for the CIA."​

​

Bjornson responded to the barbs in kind.​

​

"He (Johnson) hadn't thrown me a good ball on that play until today," he said.​

​

As for his TD reception on an off-balance throw from Bledsoe, the tight end cracked, "Boy, that thing was out there for a while."​

​

​

The Pats displayed good offensive balance in this one, gaining a season-best 124 yards rushing and 204 passing.​

​

Kevin Faulk had 12 carries for 64 yards while rookie J.R. Redmond, seeing his first serious action, picked up 45 on 14 tries.​

3:33 Highlight Video
Colts vs Patriots 2000 Week 6



2:16:58 Full Game
Colts @ Patriots 2000
​

Ten page NFL Media Game Summary, with halftime, team & individual stats, drive charts and play-by-play

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts and Play-by-Play:

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - October 8th, 2000 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Indianapolis Colts 16 at New England Patriots 24 on October 8th, 2000 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1989: Pats break losing streak
Special Team fumble recoveries set up two TDs
Elvis does not show up to claim Jerry Glanville's tickets​

Sunday October 8, 1989 at 1:00
Week 5, Game 5 at Foxboro Stadium
New England Patriots 23, Houston Oilers 13
Head Coaches: Raymond Berry, Jerry Glanville
QBs: Doug Flutie, Warren Moon
Odds: Houston favored by 5
TV: NBC; Jim Donovan, Jimmy Cefalo
Patriots improve to 2-3, Oilers drop to 2-3


The Patriot defense forced four turnovers, resulting in the Pats controlling the ball for more then plus-ten minutes (35:11 to 24:49). Houston helped the cause by committing ten penalties for 102 yards, and the Patriots won despite Houston gaining more yards (307-282).

Patriots Defeat Oilers to End Losing Streak

Running back John Stephens sparked New England's offense, and the defense shut down the AFC's highest-scoring team as the Patriots beat the Houston Oilers, 23-13, Sunday.

www.latimes.com

Running back John Stephens sparked New England’s offense, and the defense shut down the AFC’s highest-scoring team as the Patriots beat the Houston Oilers, 23-13, Sunday.​

​

Stephens, sidelined the last two games with an ankle injury, opened up New England’s running game, making it easier for quarterback Doug Flutie to throw and the Patriots to end their three-game losing streak.​

​

Stephens gained 59 yards in 21 carries and played key roles in New England’s first three scoring drives. He also ran for an 11-yard touchdown that gave the Patriots a 20-3 lead with 5:58 left in the third quarter.​

​

​

“The fact that we were running the ball so well made it a little bit easier on our offensive line” to block on pass plays, said Flutie, who was sacked just once.​

​

“I didn’t feel there was anything their defense could do that we weren’t prepared for,” said Stephens, the AFC’s second leading rusher as a rookie last year.​

​

​

Greg Davis added three field goals as the Patriots, who began the game as the AFC’s lowest-scoring team, matched their point total for their previous three games.​

​

“There was a sense of urgency,” Flutie said. “We wanted to win badly, and if you want it badly enough, you can do it.”​

​

​

Houston Coach Jerry Glanville was frustrated with the Oilers, who lost two fumbles on kick returns that set up touchdowns.​

​

“You can’t win if you can’t make basic plays,” he said.​

​

The Oilers, who averaged 38 points in their previous three games, got field goals by Tony Zendejas of 46 yards on the final play of the first half and 22 yards early in the fourth quarter. Warren Moon threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Drew Hill, cutting the lead to 23-13 with 5:11 left.​

​

Moon was sacked three times and intercepted twice after completing a career high 82.6% of his passes in a 39-7 win over Miami last week. He completed 14 of 29 passes for 227 yards against the Patriots.​

​

​

The Patriots (2-3) got a first-half touchdown for the first time in four games. Marvin Allen’s one-yard run with 1:08 left in the first quarter made the score 10-0. It was set up by Stephens’ seven-yard run for a first down at the Houston one-yard line.​

​

Davis kicked field goals of 30 yards in the first quarter and 34 yards in the third quarter, giving the Patriots a 13-3 lead. He added a 43-yarder with 6:49 left.​

Ten page NFL Media Game Summary, with halftime, team & individual stats, drive charts and play-by-play

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Houston Oilers at New England Patriots - October 8th, 1989 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Houston Oilers 13 at New England Patriots 23 on October 8th, 1989 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1967: The Last Pats Tie
Pats have to move home game due to '67 Red Sox Impossible Dream
Jim Nance rushes for 127 yards, 2 TD in San Diego​

Sunday October 8, 1967 at 7:00
Week 6, Game 5 at San Diego Stadium
Boston Patriots 31, San Diego Chargers 31
Head Coaches: Mike Holovak, Sid Gillman
QBs: Babe Parilli, John Hadl
Odds: San Diego favored by 6
TV: Not Televised
Patriots improve to 1-3-1, Chargers drop to 3-0-1


Thanks to the 1967 Boston Red Sox improbably playing in the World Series versus Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Curt Flood and the St Louis Cardinals, the Boston Patriots were forced to play a home game game in their opponent's stadium.

Somehow the one-win Patriots took a 31-17 lead over the undefeated Chargers into the fourth quarter. San Diego came back with two John Hadl touchdown passes though, and the game ended in a tie.

The Patriots were led by Jim Nance, who bulled his way over Charger defenders en route to 127 yards on 29 carries, and two touchdowns. Babe Parilli threw touchdown passes of 64 yards to Larry Garron, and 8 yards to Art Graham.

Ties were common back when there was no overtime; this was the ninth and final tie in franchise history.

1:19 shaky highlight video
(remember, this game was not televised)
10/8/1967 Boston Patriots at San Diego Chargers highlights, AFL Week 6 (Chargers' version)
​

16-page AFL Media Game Summary, with quotes from Sid Gillman on the last page

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Boston Patriots at San Diego Chargers - October 8th, 1967 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Boston Patriots 31 at San Diego Chargers 31 on October 8th, 1967 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1966: Boston 20, Buffalo 10
12½ underdog Pats pull off huge upset in Buffalo
Bills fumble their wat to a Patriot win​

Saturday October 8, 1966 at 8:00
Week 6, Game 5 at War Memorial Stadium
Boston Patriots 20, Buffalo Bills 10
Head Coaches: Mike Holovak, Joe Collier
QBs: Babe Parilli, Jack Kemp
Odds: Buffalo favored by 12½
TV: Not Televised
Patriots improve to 2-2-1, Bills drop to 3-3


The Patriots jumped out to a 13-0 lead to defeat the heavily favored Buffalo Bills.
Gino Cappelletti caught six passes for 99 yards, and Jim Nance rushed for 88 yards and a TD.
Bob Dee and the rest of the defensive line stifled the Buffalo offense, limiting the Bills to 52 yards rushing on 24 carries.

1:32 Highlight Video
10/8/1966 Boston Patriots at Buffalo Bills highlights, American Football League Week 6
​