Nov. 11, 1963 - John Roach rallied a sluggish Green Bay offense and passed for three touchdowns yesterday as the Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 28-7, in a bruising NFL duel in Green Bay. Minnesota scored on an 18-yard pass from Frank Tarkenton to Paul Flatley in the first quarter and checked the Packers until Hank Gremminger picked off a pass and returned to the Viking 39 in the second quarter. On the ninth play, Roach passed to Marv Fleming, substituting for the injured Ron Kramer, for a 12-yard scoring play. With their ground attack shackled by the fired-up Minnesota defense, the Packers took to the air and moved 83 yards in 6 plays to go in front to stay. Roach passed to Boyd Dowler for 49 yards in the big gainer and then hit his lanky flanker back for 20 yards to cap the drive. Roach passed to Tom Moore on a 45-yard maneuver for another touchdown in the final quarter before retiring. Zeke Bratkowski, obtained on waivers from Los Angeles two weeks ago, then made his Green Bay debut at quarterback. In the Green Bay locker room, all the postgame talk was about next week’s rematch with the Bears at Wrigley Field. The Packers, upset by the Bears in the season opener, made it clear they are looking forward to the trip. “We’re not going to put in anything fancy,” said Green Bay coach Vince Lombardi. “If the Bears beat us, they will beat us doing what we do best.” “That’ll be the big one,” said halfback Tom Moore. “We can rise to the occasion,” said fullback Jim Taylor. “All the marbles,” said linebacker Ray Nitschke. “We’re looking forward to it,” said defensive tackle Hank Jordan. Regarding today’s game, Lombardi said the Vikings’ scrambling quarterback Fran Tarkenton was “amazing.” “If Tarkenton stays whole,” Lombardi said, “he’s going to be a great one.”
