Packers vs Commanders History: Coaching Legends and Championship Games
The Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders have met 40 times since 1932, creating one of the NFL’s most historically significant rivalries. The Packers lead the regular season series 20-16-1 and hold a 2-1 advantage in three postseason meetings.
What makes this rivalry unique is its coaching connection. Both Earl “Curly” Lambeau, who founded the Packers in 1919, and Vince Lombardi, who led Green Bay’s 1960s dynasty, finished their careers coaching in Washington. No other rivalry in professional sports features two foundational coaches from one franchise ending up with the same opponent.
Postseason History
Three playoff meetings with roughly 40 years in between.
1936 NFL Championship – December 13, 1936
Location: Polo Grounds, New York
Result: Packers 21, Redskins 6
1972 NFC Divisional – December 24, 1972
Location: RFK Stadium, Washington DC
Result: Redskins 16, Packers 3
2015 NFC Wild Card – January 10, 2016
Location: FedEx Field, Landover, MD
Result: Packers 35, Redskins 18
The 1936 NFL Championship Game
Boston’s Championship in Exile
The 1936 NFL Championship Game created one of the strangest scenarios in league history. The Boston Redskins had earned home field advantage, but owner George Preston Marshall refused to host the game at Fenway Park. Marshall was angry about poor fan support and had already decided to move the team to Washington for the 1937 season.
This forced the championship game to a neutral site – the Polo Grounds in New York. For the only time in NFL history, a team gave up home field advantage for the championship game.
Packers Dominate Early
The Packers entered the game with a 10-1-1 record and coach Curly Lambeau’s pass-first offense. On the third play from scrimmage, quarterback Arnie Herber found Don Hutson for a 48-yard touchdown pass. The early score set the tone for Green Bay’s dominant 21-6 victory.
Herber finished with two touchdown passes while leading the league’s most advanced passing attack. Hutson, who had led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns that season, caught the opening score and later recovered a blocked punt at the 2-yard line.
The Packers outscored Boston 31-5 during the regular season and completed the sweep with this championship victory. For Boston, it was their final game before becoming the Washington Redskins.
The Coaching Connection
Curly Lambeau’s Washington Years
After 29 seasons with the Packers, Curly Lambeau resigned following a power struggle with the team’s board in 1950. He joined the Washington Redskins as head coach in 1952.
On October 5, 1952, Lambeau returned to face his former team. The Packers defeated Washington 35-20 at Marquette Stadium in Milwaukee. It was the only regular season meeting between Lambeau and the franchise he built.
Lambeau coached Washington for two seasons before retiring in 1953. His Washington tenure was unsuccessful, but it created the first direct coaching link between the franchises.
Vince Lombardi’s Final Season
Vince Lombardi stepped down as Packers head coach after winning Super Bowl II in 1967, remaining as general manager. After one year away from coaching, he accepted the Washington head coaching job in 1969.
Lombardi inherited a team that hadn’t posted a winning record in 14 years. In his first season, he led the Redskins to a 7-5-2 record, their first winning season since 1955.
The NFL schedule prevented Lombardi from facing his former team in 1969. Tragically, Lombardi was diagnosed with colon cancer in the summer of 1970 and died on September 3, 1970, after just one season in Washington.
The 1972 NFC Divisional Playoff
“Over the Hill Gang” Defense
The December 24, 1972 playoff game matched two teams at turning points. Washington coach George Allen had assembled veteran players other teams considered past their prime. This group, nicknamed the “Over the Hill Gang,” finished 11-3 and was hosting their first playoff game since 1943.
The Packers won the NFC Central with a 10-4 record behind the rushing duo of John Brockington and MacArthur Lane, who combined for 1,848 yards.
The Cigar Incident
Before the game, Packers offensive tackle Bill Lueck burned his eye with a cigar at the team hotel. He played the game wearing an eyepatch, severely hampering the offensive line that was crucial to Green Bay’s ground game.
Washington’s Defensive Victory
At RFK Stadium, Washington’s defense controlled the game from the start. The “Over the Hill Gang” held Brockington and Lane to 120 combined rushing yards in a 16-3 victory.
Green Bay’s only points came on a 17-yard Chester Marcol field goal in the first quarter. Washington quarterback Billy Kilmer threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Roy Jefferson for the game’s only touchdown. Kicker Curt Knight added three field goals.
The victory ended Washington’s 29-year playoff drought and validated Allen’s veteran-focused approach. The Redskins advanced to lose Super Bowl VII to Miami’s perfect season team.
Monday Night Football Record Game (October 17, 1983)
Historic Offensive Display
At Lambeau Field on October 17, 1983, the Packers and defending Super Bowl champion Redskins played the highest-scoring Monday Night Football game in history. The NFL has ranked it as the NFL’s 75th greatest game.
Green Bay won 48-47 in a game that stood as the Monday Night Football scoring record for 35 years.
The teams combined for 95 points, 1,025 total yards, and each team punted only once. The game featured 11 touchdowns and six field goals in a relentless offensive showcase.
Quarterback Duel
Washington’s Joe Theismann completed 27 of 39 passes for 398 yards and two touchdowns. Running back John Riggins caught six passes for 97 yards in addition to his rushing.
Packers quarterback Lynn Dickey threw for 387 yards and three touchdowns on 22 of 31 passing. Tight end Paul Coffman caught six passes for 124 yards and two scores, while fullback Gerry Ellis added four catches for 105 yards.
Dramatic Finish
The lead changed hands five times in the fourth quarter. With under two minutes left, Theismann threw a touchdown pass to give Washington a 47-41 lead.
But Dickey responded quickly. He hit Ellis on a screen pass that went for 56 yards, setting up the game-winning touchdown. Jan Stenerud’s extra point gave Green Bay a 48-47 lead with 54 seconds remaining.
Theismann drove Washington into field goal range, but reigning NFL MVP kicker Mark Moseley missed a 39-yard attempt as time expired, sealing the upset victory for Green Bay.
Modern Era Moments
Halloween Reversal (October 31, 2004)
A 2004 game at FedExField featured one of the series’ most dramatic momentum swings. Washington trailed 20-14 late in the fourth quarter when former GB QB quarterback Mark Brunell hit Clinton Portis for what appeared to be a 43-yard go-ahead touchdown.
However, a holding penalty on Laveranues Coles nullified the play. On the next snap, a rattled Brunell threw an interception to Al Harris, who returned it for a touchdown. The 14-point swing in two plays led to a 28-14 Packers victory.
2010 Regular Season Loss, Eventual Super Bowl Champs
The Packers lost to the Redskins 16-13 at FedEx Field in a game wear Jermichael Finley was carted off the field for a season-ending knee injury (torn lateral meniscus). Despite the loss, the Packers went on to win the Super Bowl that season.
2016 Playoff, Revenge Game, Run the Table
The teams met twice in 2016 with contrasting results. In the 2015 NFC Wild Card Game on January 10, Washington took an early 11-0 lead before Aaron Rodgers and the Packers took control. Green Bay scored 35 of the final 42 points for a dominant 35-18 road playoff victory.
Ten months later on a Sunday Night game at FedExField, Washington got revenge for their playoff loss. Kirk Cousins threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-24 victory.
After that loss, Aaron Rodgers declared the Packers needed to “run the table” to make the playoffs, and they went on to win the next 6 straight games, earning a postseason appearance.
Series Summary
The Packers-Commanders rivalry stands apart from typical NFL matchups. While the teams don’t play regularly due to different divisions, their meetings have consistently produced memorable games with historical significance.
The coaching connections through Lambeau and Lombardi create a unique bond between the franchises. Both men who built the Packers dynasty ended their careers in Washington, creating storylines that transcend individual games.
From championship games played in exile to record-setting shootouts, the scattered but significant meetings between these teams have produced moments that remain part of NFL lore.
