{"id":303,"date":"2025-04-14T11:47:47","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T18:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebydurbin.net\/aflhistory\/?page_id=303"},"modified":"2025-04-14T11:47:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T18:47:49","slug":"thanksgiving-day-1964","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ebydurbin.net\/aflhistory\/thanksgiving-day-1964\/","title":{"rendered":"Thanksgiving Day, 1964"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 1964 and 1965, the San Diego Chargers and the Buffalo Bills were the two best teams in the AFL. The teams won their respective divisions both years, and thus met in the AFL championship game – the Bills came out on top both times. But there were memorable games during the regular season too. One of them was the 1964 battle in San Diego, taking place on Thanksgiving day, November 25th. Here were the standings going into the game:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the Eastern division, the Bills were in a dogfight with the Patriots, while the Chargers had a comfortable lead in the surprisingly weak West. Fans of both teams fully expected these two to meet in the AFL championship game, which was scheduled to be held at the home field of the Eastern division team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The game was a sellout, a rarity at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Two views of the sellout crowd.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The attendance of 34,865 included 200 standing room only tickets that allowed fans to watch the game from the end zone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Another view of the standing room only fans. Also note the crane with a TV cameraman – the game was nationally broadcast on ABC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Before the game, Speedy Duncan posed for a shot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now, onto the game action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Don Norton with a reception.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In the second quarter, John Tracey of the Bills intercepted a John Hadl pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In the ensuing drive, Joe Auer eluded the grasp of Kenny Graham and picked up 14 yards to set up the Bills with first and goal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Two players later Auer dove over from one yard out to cut the Chargers’ lead to 10-7,<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n