THE AFL 1960–69: A RETROSPECTIVE
1961 Game of the Year: Oilers End Chargers 11-Game Win Streak
Houston’s dynamic offense was too much for San Diego’s stifling defense during a 33–13 blowout.
As the glow of a superb 33–13 waxing of previously unbeaten San Diego washed over him, Houston quarterback George Blanda was asked about the Chargers mammoth defensive line, nicknamed the Fearsome Foursome.
“They weren’t very fearsome out there today, huh,” Blanda said on the afternoon of Dec. 3, 1961.
The Chargers front wall of Ernie Ladd, Earl Faison, Ron Nery and Bill Hudson — part of an intimidating San Diego defense that had helped key 11 straight victories heading into this showdown with the Oilers — was completely neutralized by a fired-up Oilers team hellbent on revenge.
“The only thing I did right today was congratulate them on a good game,” said Ladd, the 315-pound mountain of a man. “They sure beat me down.”
The Oilers had defeated the Chargers in the first AFL Championship Game the year before, but San Diego had dealt Houston a 34–24 defeat earlier in the 1961 season during a period when the Oilers started 1–3–1.
Houston head coach Lou Rymkus was fired and replaced by Wally Lemm, and from that point on, the Oilers had won six in…
