1965 NFL

"GAME-OF-THE-WEEK"

Philadelphia Eagles

vs

St. Louis Cardinals

The November 28, 1965 Eagles-Cardinals NFL "Game-Of-The-Week" film is another nostalgic title from the vast Rare Sportsfilms library of old pro football films not available from any other source - not even NFL Films has this one! Narrated by Tom Brookshier, this 25-minute film, now available on DVD, is in COLOR! The Cardinals have had key injuries to QB Charley Johnson, Larry Wilson and Jerry Stovall and are now 5-5 after losing last week at home vs the Giants. This week they will host the 3-7 Eagles, who lost to the Colts last week at Baltimore. Johnson is a little gimpy but will start again this week for St. Louis, meanwhile Norm Snead has shown some improvement at QB this year for Philly.

The first big break of the game comes on the Eagle's first offensive series, when fullback Earl Gros fumbles and DE Don Brumm comes out of the pile with it on the Eagles 47-yd line. When usually reliable Jackie Smith drops a sure TD in the end zone, the Redbirds must settle for a 36-yd FG by Jim Bakken and St. Louis leads 3-0. On the Eagle's next possession at the 23, a blitz causes Snead to fumble and Larry Stallings picks up the ball and scores, giving the Cardinals a 10-0 lead. The Eagles are off to a shaky start! However, a 32-yd pass reception by Pete Retzlaff and then a 23-yd TD catch by Pete get the Eagles on the scoreboard but still trailing 10-7 at the end of the first quarter.

The second period belongs to the Eagles. A nice 42-yd TD run by All-Pro HB Timmy Brown gives the Eagles the lead, 14-10. A long Johnson pass intended for Jackie Smith is picked off by the Eagle's fine rookie DB Al Nelson, ending a Cardinal drive at the Eagle 7-yd line. The next score is set up when Johnson's deep pass to Billy Gambrell is overthrown and again intercepted by Al Nelson, with the play ending back up on the Eagle 42. Snead tosses a pass to Ray Poage, who makes a nice 38-yd catch. A 15-yd run by Timmy Brown brings the ball to the five, then Snead's TD pass to Tom Woodeshick in the end zone ups the Philadelphia lead to 21-10 at halftime.

The Eagles kick off to the Cardinals to begin the second half. On runs by Willis Crenshaw and Bill Triplett, plus pass receptions by Jackie Smith and Sonny Randle, the Cardinals arrive at the Eagle 1-yd line after a long drive. Johnson tosses a one-yarder to Bobby Joe Conrad in the end zone and the Cardinals now trail only by 21-17. There are very few punts in this game, as the ball is mostly turned over on fumbles or interceptions - Al Nelson has three already and Nate Ramsey two by the end of the third quarter!

The Cardinals are driving to open the final period, still trailing 21-17. Bobby Joe Conrad's nice catch at the Eagle nine brings St. Louis closer. A 7-yd pass to Crenshaw puts the ball at the eagle two, then Johnson scores himself on a bootleg putting the Cardinals back in front, 24-21 and into the lead for the first time since early in the 2nd quarter! The Eagles come back up the field and a fine 35-yd catch and run by Ronnie Goodwin sets up a game-tying FG try, but Sam Baker's attempt is blocked so St. Louis still leads! When the Eagles get the ball back Pete Retzlaff becomes the hero of the day for Philadelphia, making three receptions on the Eagles final drive, plus a ten yard catch for the winning touchdown, as the Eagles beat St. Louis 28-24 in an exciting, hard-fought game!

You'll see many other players from each team throughout the game including Luke Owens, Dale Meinert, Monk Bailey, Bill Koman, Jimmy Burson, Pat Fischer, Carl Silvestri, Abe Woodson, Joe Robb, Bob DeMarco, Ken Gray and other Cardinals. Also in action for the visiting Eagles are Ed Blaine, backup QB King Hill, Ollie Matson, Maxie Baughan, Dave Lloyd, Jim Ringo, Ed Khayat, Irv Cross, Bobby Richards, Bob Shann, Bob Brown and more!

To get your own DVD of this 1965 NFL game, send $29.95 plus $4.00 S & H to:
(Illinois residents must add $2.30 state sales tax)