1964 Baltimore Colts season

History

Background

The Colts' sideline commander, former defensive back Don Shula, made his head coaching debut in 1963, getting off to a rocky start by dropping five of the first eight games of the season. The tide then turned, however, and the Colts finished strong, with five wins and a 1-point loss in the final six contests of the year.

"The last half of 1963 we were as good a team as there was in the NFL," Shula said. "As the season progressed, I learned, the veterans learned, and the rookies learned." Four rookies and one newcomer had started for the blue-and-white and after a rough beginning the team had seemingly jelled. Internally, expectations for the team were high for the Colts entering the 1964 campaign.

The team centered around quarterback Johnny Unitas, a two-time NFL champion who was regarded as one of the most talented passers in the league. The 30-year old Unitas had finished 1962 ranked second among NFL QBs, with his 237 completions and 3,481 yards gained tops in the league. Only 2.9 percent of Unitas' passes ended in interception in 1963 — also best in the league.

The Colts' ground attack had been led by halfback Tom Matte, a third-year player who gained 541 yards in 1963. The Colts' receiving corps featured three of the NFL's top 25 in total receptions, headed by sure-handed split end Raymond Berry, characterized by one pundit as "the slowest, most awkward end in the league, and one of the best." He was joined by a "sawed-off jet" named Jimmy Orr, as well as gritty tight end John Mackey, a future NFL Hall of Famer. This potent trio was ably aided by running back and third wide receiver Lenny Moore. It was, on paper, a very solid offensive unit.

The defensive situation was less certain with aging veterans throughout the front seven, including 37-year crowd favorite Gino Marchetti and 32-year old Ordell Braase as bookend defensive ends, with the 36-year old Bill Pellington anchoring the team's linebackers. The defensive backfield was young and fast, however, with cornerback Bob Boyd and safety Jerry Logan regarded as stars.

Preseason

NFL teams played a five game preseason schedule in 1964. The Colts posted a record of 3 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie during the season's warmup phase, topping the Philadelphia Eagles in the opener, battling the Detroit Lions to a 28–28 tie, and dropping game 3 to the St. Louis Cardinals by 9. They finished strong, however, recording blowout victories over the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers — with the Colts scoring more than 40 points in each of those one-sided contests.

Schedule

:Note: The Week 5 game with the Cardinals was scheduled to be played at St. Louis, but moved to Baltimore when the baseball Cardinals reached the World Series, preempting use of Busch Stadium.

Season summary

Week 1 at Vikings

Week 2 at Packers

First quarter

• BAL – Lenny Moore 52-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Lou Michaels kick). ''Colts 7–0. '''Drive:'''''
• GB – Paul Hornung 20-yard run (Paul Hornung kick). ''Tie 7–7. '''Drive:''''' Second quarter
• BAL – Lenny Moore 4-yard run (Lou Michaels kick). ''Colts 14–7. '''Drive:'''''
• GB – Paul Hornung 4-yard run (kick failed). ''Colts 14–13. '''Drive:'''''
• BAL – John Mackey 40-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Lou Michaels kick). ''Colts 21–13. '''Drive:''''' Third quarter
• GB – Jim Taylor 23-yard run (Paul Hornung kick). ''Colts 21–20. '''Drive:''''' Fourth quarter
• No scoring ;Top passers
• BAL – Johnny Unitas – 7/12, 154 yards, 2 TD
• GB – Bart Starr – 16/21, 175 yards, 3 INT ;Top rushers
• BAL – Jerry Hill – 15 rushes, 49 yards
• GB – Jim Taylor – 18 rushes, 98 yards, TD ;Top receivers
• BAL – Lenny Moore – 1 reception, 52 yards, TD
• GB – Boyd Dowler – 7 receptions, 66 yards

Standings

Postseason

Main article: 1964 NFL Championship Game

After Baltimore's 12–2 regular season, they traveled to Cleveland to take on the Browns (10–3–1) for the NFL title on December 27. The host team was alternated between the conferences, Eastern in even-numbered seasons and Western in the odd-numbered. This was the third championship game appearance for the Colts since joining the NFL in 1953, and they entered the game as seven-point favorites. Both teams had two weeks to prepare: the first half was uneventful and scoreless, but the home underdog Browns scored seventeen points in the third quarter in their 27–0 rout of the Colts.

1964 NFL Championship Game: at Cleveland Browns

;Third Quarter

• CLE - Lou Groza 43 yard field goal - Browns 3-0
• CLE - Gary Collins 18 yard pass from Frank Ryan - (Lou Groza kick) Browns 10-0
• CLE - Gary Collins 42 yard pass from Frank Ryan - (Lou Groza kick) Browns 17-0 ;Fourth Quarter
• CLE - Lou Groza 10 yard field goal - Browns 20-0
• CLE - Gary Collins 51 yard pass from Frank Ryan - (Lou Groza kick) Browns 27-0 ;Colts

;Browns

Awards and honors

• Johnny Unitas, Bert Bell Award

Personnel

Staff/coaches

:Source:

Roster

C/P

OLB/MLB

K/DE

References

References

1. (January 11, 1965). "How the Colts met triumph — and disaster".
2. (January 18, 1965). "The road to the title in the West".
3. (November 23, 1964). "Colts jar Rams, 24-7, to clinch Western title". Milwaukee Sentinel.
4. (September 14, 1964). "Vikings, 34-24". Eugene Register-Guard.
5. (November 30, 1964). "Colts edge fumbling Frisco". Eugene Register-Guard.
6. (December 7, 1964). "Lions smash Baltimore, 31-14". Eugene Register-Guard.
7. (December 14, 1964). "Moore, Berry break records". Eugene Register-Guard.
8. Johnson, Chuck. (December 28, 1964). "Browns play best game of year, Colts their worst - result: 27-0". Milwaukee Journal.
9. (December 28, 1964). "Cleveland Browns blank Colts for NFL title". Spokesman-Review.
10. (December 28, 1964). "Cleveland wallops Baltimore, 27-0". Eugene Register-Guard.
11. Walter Taylor, "Baltimore Colts," in William H. Martin and Lee O. Ryan (eds.), ''Petersen's 9th Annual Edition: Pro Fotball 1964.'' Los Angeles, CA: Petersen Publishing Co., 1964; pp. 20–23.
12. Jim Kensil (ed.), ''National Football League 1964 Record Manual.'' New York: National Football League, 1964; p. 49.
13. Kensil (ed.), ''National Football League 1964 Record Manual,'' p. 47.
14. Bob Oates, "Baltimore Colts," in Sam E. Andre (ed.), ''Pro Football: Street and Smith's 1964 Yearbook.'' New York: Conde Nash Publications, 1964; pp. 19–21.
15. Kensil (ed.), ''National Football League 1964 Record Manual,'' p. 51.
16. Jim Kensil (ed.), ''National Football League 1965 Record Manual.'' New York: National Football League, 1965; p. 50.
17. (December 27, 1964). "Moore, Unitas lead Colts". Eugene Register-Guard.
18. Taylor, Jim. (December 27, 1964). "Colts seven-point favorites". Toledo Blade.
19. "Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients".