By Darin 🏈 A Coronation in the Miami Heat
January 14, 1968, was more than just a football game; it was a coronation and a farewell. In the sweltering heat of Miami’s Orange Bowl, the Green Bay Packers stepped onto the turf to defend the NFL’s honor against the upstart Oakland Raiders of the AFL. What followed was a masterclass in disciplined football that solidified the greatest dynasty of the era and provided the perfect exit for a coaching legend.
Article from Jan 15, 1968 Portland Press Herald (Portland, Maine)
The Masterclass of Super Bowl II
The game, officially titled the Second AFL-NFL World Championship, showcased a Packers squad determined to prove their previous Super Bowl victory was no fluke. Quarterback Bart Starr delivered a clinical performance, earning his second consecutive MVP award by completing 13 of 24 passes for 202 yards, including a booming 62-yard touchdown strike to Boyd Dowler.
While the Raiders’ “Mad Bomber,” Daryle Lamonica, managed two touchdown passes to Bill Miller, they were ultimately stifled by the Packers’ execution. Green Bay’s kicker, Don Chandler, proved to be the secret weapon, accounting for 15 points with four field goals and three extra points—a record for a kicker that stood for decades.
The definitive moment arrived in the fourth quarter. Legendary cornerback Herb Adderley read a Lamonica pass perfectly, jumping the route for a 60-yard interception return. That “pick-six” effectively slammed the door on Oakland’s comeback hopes, pushing the lead to 33-7 before a late Raiders score settled the final tally at 33-14.
The End of the Lombardi Era
This victory was the final game for Vince Lombardi as the head coach of the Packers. The iconic image of Lombardi being carried off the field on the shoulders of Jerry Kramer and his players became the defining symbol of the 1960s dynasty. By winning Super Bowl II, Green Bay completed a historic “three-peat” of world titles (1965–1967), ensuring their place in the pantheon of football immortality.
Conclusion
Super Bowl II confirmed that the NFL’s “old guard” was still the gold standard of professional football. It served as a fitting tribute to Lombardi’s philosophy of “second effort” and relentless pursuit of excellence. Today, the game remains a cornerstone of NFL history—the moment the Packers’ dominance was etched in stone before the league transitioned into the modern era.
