<Ul> <Li> ← 1957 </Li> <Li> NFL Championship Game </Li> <Li> 1959 → </Li> </Ul> <Li> NFL Championship Game </Li> <P> The 1958 National Football League Championship Game was the 26th NFL championship game, played on December 28 at Yankee Stadium in New York City . It was the first NFL playoff game to go into sudden death overtime . The final score was Baltimore Colts 23, New York Giants 17, and the game has since become widely known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played". </P> <P> It marked the beginning of the NFL's popularity surge, and eventual rise to the top of the United States sports market . A major reason was that the game was televised across the nation by NBC . Baltimore receiver Raymond Berry recorded 12 receptions for 178 yards and a touchdown . His 12 receptions set a championship record that stood for 55 years . </P>

First nfl playoff game to go into sudden death