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1970 Baltimore Colts season
18th season in franchise history; first in the AFC East and first Super Bowl win
18th season in franchise history; first in the AFC East and first Super Bowl win
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Baltimore Colts |
| year | 1970 |
| record | 11–2–1 |
| division_place | 1st AFC East |
| owner | Carroll Rosenbloom |
| general_manager | Don Klosterman |
| coach | Don McCafferty |
| stadium | Memorial Stadium |
| playoffs | **Won [Divisional Playoffs](1970-71-nfl-playoffs)** |
| (vs. [Bengals](1970-cincinnati-bengals-season)) 17–0 | |
| **Won [AFC Championship](1970-71-nfl-playoffs)** | |
| (vs. [Raiders](1970-oakland-raiders-season)) 27–17 | |
| **Won Super Bowl V** | |
| (vs. [Cowboys](1970-dallas-cowboys-season)) 16–13 | |
| shortnavlink | Colts seasons |
(vs. Bengals) 17–0 Won AFC Championship (vs. Raiders) 27–17 Won Super Bowl V (vs. Cowboys) 16–13
The 1970 Baltimore Colts season was the 18th season of the second Colts franchise in the National Football League (NFL). Led by first-year head coach Don McCafferty, the Colts finished the season with a regular season record of 11 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie to win the first AFC East title. The Colts completed the postseason in Miami with a victory over the Cowboys in Super Bowl V, their first Super Bowl title and fourth NFL championship (1958, 1959, 1968, and 1970).
Season history
In February 1970, head coach Don Shula departed after seven seasons for the Miami Dolphins, now in the same division, and offensive backfield coach McCafferty was promoted in early April.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w3FIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=x4IMAAAAIBAJ&pg=660%2C2601701 |work=Youngstown Vindicator |location=Ohio |agency=UPI |last=Riker |first=Dan |title=Don McCafferty, ex-Kent State mentor, is named Baltimore head coach
NFL draft
Main article: 1970 NFL draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | School/Club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | Norm Bulaich | Running Back | [TCU](1969-tcu-horned-frogs-football-team) |
| 2 | 44 | Jim Bailey | Defensive tackle | [Kansas](1969-kansas-jayhawks-football-team) |
| 3 | 70 | Jim O'Brien | Wide Receiver / Kicker | Cincinnati |
| 3 | 74 | Ara Person | Tight End | Morgan State |
| 4 | 95 | Steve Smear | Linebacker | [Penn State](1969-penn-state-nittany-lions-football-team) |
| 5 | 122 | Billy Newsome | Defensive End | Grambling State |
| 6 | 148 | Ron Gardin | Defensive Back | [Arizona](1969-arizona-wildcats-football-team) |
| 7 | 174 | Gordon Slade | Quarterback | [Davidson](1969-davidson-wildcats-football-team) |
| 8 | 199 | Bob Bouley | Tackle | [Boston College](1969-boston-college-eagles-football-team) |
| 9 | 226 | Barney Harris | Defensive Back | [Texas A&M](1969-texas-a-m-aggies-football-team) |
Personnel
Staff/Coaches
| 1970 Baltimore Colts staff |
|---|
| **Front office** |
Final roster
Preseason
| Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Week | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Date | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Result | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Record | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Venue | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Recap | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at [Oakland Raiders](1970-oakland-raiders-season) | **W** 33–21 | 1–0 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 53,519 | [Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1970nflbal.html) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at [Kansas City Chiefs](1970-kansas-city-chiefs-season) | **W** 17–3 | 2–0 | Municipal Stadium | 34,341 | [Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1970nflbal.html) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at [Denver Broncos](1970-denver-broncos-season) | **W** 24–7 | 3–0 | Mile High Stadium | 42,499 | [Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1970nflbal.html) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at **[Miami Dolphins](1970-miami-dolphins-season)** | **L** 13–20 | 3–1 | Miami Orange Bowl | 73,533 | [Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1970nflbal.html) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| vs. [Detroit Lions](1970-detroit-lions-season) | **W** 20–14 | 4–1 | Carter–Finley Stadium (Raleigh, NC) | 34,500 | [Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1970nflbal.html) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at [Washington Redskins](1970-washington-redskins-season) | **L** 14–17 | 4–2 | RFK Stadium | 46,045 | [Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1970nflbal.html) |
Regular season
Main article: 1970 NFL season
Schedule
| Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Week | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Date | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Result | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Record | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Venue | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 20 | at [San Diego Chargers](1970-san-diego-chargers-season) | **W** 16–14 | 1–0 | San Diego Stadium | 47,782 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [Kansas City Chiefs](1970-kansas-city-chiefs-season) | **L** 24–44 | 1–1 | Memorial Stadium | 53,911 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 4 | at **[Boston Patriots](1970-boston-patriots-season)** | **W** 14–6 | 2–1 | Harvard Stadium | 38,235 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 11 | at [Houston Oilers](1970-houston-oilers-season) | **W** 24–20 | 3–1 | Astrodome | 48,050 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 18 | at **[New York Jets](1970-new-york-jets-season)** | **W** 29–22 | 4–1 | Shea Stadium | 63,301 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 25 | **Boston Patriots** | **W** 27–3 | 5–1 | Memorial Stadium | 60,240 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 1 | **[Miami Dolphins](1970-miami-dolphins-season)** | **W** 35–0 | 6–1 | Memorial Stadium | 60,240 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at [Green Bay Packers](1970-green-bay-packers-season) | **W** 13–10 | 7–1 | Milwaukee County Stadium | 48,063 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 15 | **[Buffalo Bills](1970-buffalo-bills-season)** | **T** 17–17 | 7–1–1 | Memorial Stadium | 60,240 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 22 | at **Miami Dolphins** | **L** 17–34 | 7–2–1 | Miami Orange Bowl | 67,699 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 29 | [Chicago Bears](1970-chicago-bears-season) | **W** 21–20 | 8–2–1 | Memorial Stadium | 60,240 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 6 | [Philadelphia Eagles](1970-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **W** 29–10 | 9–2–1 | Memorial Stadium | 60,240 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 13 | at **Buffalo Bills** | **W** 20–14 | 10–2–1 | War Memorial Stadium | 34,346 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **New York Jets** | **W** 35–20 | 11–2–1 | Memorial Stadium | 60,240 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text. |
Game summaries
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
This was the Super Bowl III rematch and it was truly a rematch but this time it favors the Colts as they opened up a 19–0 lead and never looked back. The Jets did mount a challenge led by Joe Namath's 392 yards passing, but he also had 6 interceptions as the Colts gain some revenge on this day.
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
The Colts clinched the division title with the win.
Week 14
- Earl Morrall 18/33, 348 Yds
Standings
Postseason
Main article: 1970–71 NFL playoffs
The team made it to the playoffs with the best record in the AFC. The Colts hosted both AFC playoff games that they played in. (It wasn't until the 1975 season that playoff teams were seeded by record; the fact that the Colts hosted both playoff games was just due to the rotation set up with the AFL–NFL merger.) The team won both AFC playoff games as well as Super Bowl V.
| Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Round | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Date | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Result | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Record | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Venue | Baltimore Colts | year=1970 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Divisional | AFC Championship | Super Bowl V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 26 | [Cincinnati Bengals](1970-cincinnati-bengals-season) | **W** 17–0 | 1–0 | Memorial Stadium | 51,127 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 3, 1971 | [Oakland Raiders](1970-oakland-raiders-season) | **W** 27–17 | 2–0 | Memorial Stadium | 56,368 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 17, 1971 | [Dallas Cowboys](1970-dallas-cowboys-season) | **W** 16–13 | 3–0 | Miami Orange Bowl | 80,055 |
Divisional
The Colts hosted the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round. The Colts relied on their defense, which had carried them all season, to best the Bengals 17–0, holding Cincinnati to only 139 total yards.
Conference Championship
The Colts next hosted the Oakland Raiders for the AFC Championship Game. The Colts jumped out to an early lead over the Raiders, 10–3 at halftime. Oakland came back to tie it up early in the 3rd quarter. The Colts would respond with a Jim O'Brien field goal and a second Bulaich touchdown. Johnny Unitas extended the lead with a 68-yard touchdown pass to Ray Perkins that made the score 27–17. The Colts would seal the win with an interception in the end zone.
Super Bowl
Main article: Super Bowl V
The Colts made it to the Super Bowl for the second time in franchise history and played the Dallas Cowboys for the NFL championship. In the 2nd quarter, Johnny Unitas threw a pass that was tipped twice before John Mackey caught it for a 75-yard score. Later in the quarter Unitas was injured and Earl Morrall completed a sloppy and turnover-filled game: the Colts committed a total of 7 turnovers, the Cowboys 4. Following an interception by Mike Curtis, Jim O'Brien kicked the game-winning 32-yard field goal, giving Baltimore a 16–13 lead with 5 seconds left in the game, and the victory.
References
References
- (February 19, 1970). "Shula replaces Miami's Wilson". Milwaukee Sentinel.
- (February 19, 1970). "Dollar signs convince Shula to jump to Miami Dolphins". Eugene Register-Guard.
- (April 7, 1970). "Colts passed up 3 head coaches". Reading Eagle.
- (April 7, 1970). "McCafferty Colt coach". Milwaukee Sentinel.
- "Baltimore Colts at San Diego Chargers - September 20th, 1970".
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197009280clt.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Sep-28.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197010040nwe.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Sep-28.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197010110oti.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Sep-29.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197010180nyj.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Sep-29.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197010250clt.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Sep-29.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197011010clt.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Sep-29.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197011090gnb.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Sep-29.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197011290clt.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Oct-01.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197012060clt.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Oct-03.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197012130buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197012190clt.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Oct-04.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197012260clt.htm "Cincinnati Bengals 0 at Baltimore Colts 17. Saturday, December 26, 1970"]. [[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]. Retrieved 2014-Oct-04.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197101030clt.htm "Oakland Raiders 17 at Baltimore Colts 27, Sunday, January 3, 1971"]. [[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]. Retrieved 2014-Oct-04.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197101170clt.htm "Baltimore Colts 16 vs. Dallas Cowboys 13, Sunday, January 17, 1971"]. [[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]. Retrieved 2014-Oct-04.
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