Monday Night Football Season 1 Episode 4 Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers
- October 12, 1970
It's the fourth episode of Monday Night Football's first season and the Green Bay Packers are set to take on the San Diego Chargers. Both teams are coming into the game with a 1-2 record, so this matchup is crucial for both sides in terms of moving up the standings.
The Packers are led by quarterback Brett Favre, who is in the early stages of what would become a Hall of Fame career. Favre is known for his toughness and ability to make big plays, both with his arm and his legs. He'll be facing off against a Chargers defense that has struggled so far this season, giving up an average of over 30 points per game.
San Diego's offense, on the other hand, is led by quarterback Stan Humphries, who is more of a game manager than a big-play guy. Humphries will need to rely on his running back Natrone Means to create some offense, as the Packers have a stout defense led by linebacker Reggie White.
The game kicks off with the Packers receiving the ball first. Favre comes out firing, completing his first four passes and quickly moving the ball down the field. However, the Chargers defense stiffens up in the red zone and holds the Packers to a field goal.
On the ensuing possession, Humphries and the Chargers offense struggle to get anything going. They go three-and-out and are forced to punt. The Packers take over again and continue to move down the field, with Favre hitting his favorite target, wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, for several big gains.
But once again, the Chargers defense bends but doesn't break, holding the Packers to another field goal. The score is now 6-0 in favor of Green Bay.
In the second quarter, the Chargers offense finally starts to find its rhythm. Humphries connects with tight end Duane Young for a big gain, and then hands the ball off to Means, who breaks off a long run deep into Packers territory. A few plays later, Humphries finds wide receiver Mark Seay in the end zone for a touchdown.
The Packers, however, respond quickly. Favre hits Sharpe again for a big gain, and then scrambles for a first down on a crucial third-and-long play. A few plays after that, running back Vince Workman breaks free for a 25-yard touchdown run, putting the Packers back on top 13-7.
The rest of the half is a back-and-forth affair, with each team scoring another touchdown. Chargers wide receiver Anthony Miller hauls in a touchdown pass from Humphries, while Packers fullback Edgar Bennett scores on a short run.
At halftime, the score is tied 20-20. Both teams have moved the ball well, but the Packers have been held to field goals twice inside the red zone, while the Chargers have been able to convert their opportunities into touchdowns.
In the second half, the Packers defense takes over. White and his fellow linebackers start to get pressure on Humphries, forcing him into some bad throws. The Chargers are unable to mount much offense, and the Packers slowly start to pull away.
Favre hits Sharpe for another touchdown pass, and then finds Workman for another score. The Chargers manage a field goal, but it's not enough to keep up with the Packers' high-powered offense.
In the end, the Packers win by a final score of 41-13. Favre finishes with over 300 yards passing and three touchdowns, while Sharpe has over 150 yards receiving and two scores. The Chargers, meanwhile, are left to wonder what went wrong, as their defense was unable to stop the Packers from finding the end zone.