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1975 Baltimore Colts season
23rd season in franchise history
23rd season in franchise history
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Baltimore Colts |
| year | 1975 |
| record | 10–4 |
| division_place | T-1st AFC East |
| coach | Ted Marchibroda |
| owner | Robert Irsay |
| general_manager | Joe Thomas |
| stadium | Memorial Stadium |
| playoffs | Lost [Divisional Playoffs](1975-76-nfl-playoffs) |
| (at [Steelers](1975-pittsburgh-steelers-season)) 10–28 | |
| pro_bowlers | T George Kunz |
| RB Lydell Mitchell | |
| DE John Dutton | |
| shortnavlink | Colts seasons |
(at Steelers) 10–28 RB Lydell Mitchell DE John Dutton The 1975 Baltimore Colts season was the 23rd season for the team in the National Football League. Under first-year head coach Ted Marchibroda, the Colts finished the 1975 season with 10 wins and 4 losses, and tied for first in the AFC East division with the Miami Dolphins; Baltimore won the division tiebreaker based on a head-to-head sweep of Miami — the first sweep of the Dolphins in their six years under head coach Don Shula.
The Colts won their opener, lost four straight, then swept their final nine games and narrowly edged the Dolphins for the division title. The turnaround season became forever known by Colts fans afterward as The Miracle on 33rd Street.
This was the first of three consecutive AFC East titles for the Colts. Hired in January, Marchibroda was previously the offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins under head coach George Allen. The 1975 Colts coaching staff included 23-year-old assistant Bill Belichick, his first association with an NFL team and first coaching position.
Offseason
Draft
Main article: 1975 NFL draft
| Baltimore Colts}};" | Round | Baltimore Colts}};" | Selection | Baltimore Colts}};" | Player | Baltimore Colts}};" | Position | Baltimore Colts}};" | College | Baltimore Colts}};" | Notes | 1 | 3 | 3 | 53 | 56 | 4 | 80 | 93 | 5 | 105 | 6 | 131 | 7 | 157 | 160 | 168 | 8 | 184 | 187 | 192 | 9 | 209 | 10 | 236 | 11 | 261 | 12 | 288 | 13 | 313 | 14 | 340 | 15 | 365 | 16 | 392 | 399 | 416 | 17 | 417 | 426 | 440 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Huff | G | [North Carolina](1974-north-carolina-tar-heels-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mike Washington | CB | [Alabama](1974-alabama-crimson-tide-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dave Pear | DT | [Washington](1974-washington-huskies-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marshall Johnson | WR | [Houston](1974-houston-cougars-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul Linford | DT | [BYU](1974-byu-cougars-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roosevelt Leaks | RB | [Texas](1974-texas-longhorns-baseball-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Don Westbrook | WR | [Nebraska](1974-nebraska-cornhuskers-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kim Jones | RB | [Colorado State](1974-colorado-state-rams-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steve Joachim | QB | [Temple](1974-temple-owls-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derrel Luce | LB | [Baylor](1974-baylor-bears-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Bushong | DE | [Western Kentucky](1974-western-kentucky-hilltoppers-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greg Denboer | TE | [Michigan](1974-michigan-wolverines-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mario Cage | RB | Northwestern Louisiana | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Royce McKinney | DB | Kentucky State | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phil Waganheim | P | [Maryland](1974-maryland-terrapins-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David Hazel | WR | [Ohio State](1974-ohio-state-buckeyes-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brad Storm | LB | [Iowa State](1974-iowa-state-cyclones-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Roman | G | Idaho State | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mike Smith | C | [SMU](1974-smu-mustangs-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Goodie | RB | Langston | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bill Malouf | QB | [Ole Miss](1974-ole-miss-rebels-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mike Evavold | DT | MacAlester | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert Smith | DB | [Maryland](1974-maryland-terrapins-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David McKnight | LB | [Georgia](1974-georgia-bulldogs-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mike Bengard | DE | Northwestern (Iowa) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frank Russel | WR | [Maryland](1974-maryland-terrapins-football-team) |
Personnel
Staff
| 1975 Baltimore Colts staff |
|---|
| **Front office** |
Final roster
Regular season
Main article: 1975 NFL season
Schedule
| Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Week | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Date | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Result | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Record | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Venue | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Recap | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 21 | at [Chicago Bears](1975-chicago-bears-season) | **W** 35–7 | 1–0 | Soldier Field | 54,152 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197509210chi.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 28 | [Oakland Raiders](1975-oakland-raiders-season) | **L** 20–31 | 1–1 | Memorial Stadium | 40,657 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197509280clt.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 5 | at [Los Angeles Rams](1975-los-angeles-rams-season) | **L** 13–24 | 1–2 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 62,491 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197510050ram.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 12 | **[Buffalo Bills](1975-buffalo-bills-season)** | **L** 31–38 | 1–3 | Memorial Stadium | 43,907 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197510120clt.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 19 | at **[New England Patriots](1975-new-england-patriots-season)** | **L** 10–21 | 1–4 | Schaefer Stadium | 51,417 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197510190nwe.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 26 | at **[New York Jets](1975-new-york-jets-season)** | **W** 45–28 | 2–4 | Shea Stadium | 55,137 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197510260nyj.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 2 | [Cleveland Browns](1975-cleveland-browns-season) | **W** 21–7 | 3–4 | Memorial Stadium | 35,235 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197511020clt.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 9 | at **[Buffalo Bills](1975-buffalo-bills-season)** | **W** 42–35 | 4–4 | Rich Stadium | 77,320 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197511090buf.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 16 | **[New York Jets](1975-new-york-jets-season)** | **W** 52–19 | 5–4 | Memorial Stadium | 52,097 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197511160clt.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 23 | at **[Miami Dolphins](1975-miami-dolphins-season)** | **W** 33–17 | 6–4 | Orange Bowl | 61,986 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197511230mia.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 30 | [Kansas City Chiefs](1975-kansas-city-chiefs-season) | **W** 28–14 | 7–4 | Memorial Stadium | 42,122 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197511300clt.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 7 | at [New York Giants](1975-new-york-giants-season) | **W** 21–0 | 8–4 | Shea Stadium | 49,863 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197512070nyg.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 14 | **[Miami Dolphins](1975-miami-dolphins-season)** | **W** 10–7OT | 9–4 | Memorial Stadium | 59,398 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197512140clt.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 21 | **[New England Patriots](1975-new-england-patriots-season)** | **W** 34–21 | 10–4 | Memorial Stadium | 48,678 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197512210clt.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text. |
Standings
Playoffs
Main article: 1975–76 NFL playoffs
The team made it to the playoffs as a No. 3 seed and traveled to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers in the divisional round. Tied at seven at the half, Pittsburgh outscored the Colts 21–3 in the second half. The Steelers defense forced four turnovers and held the Colts to 154 total yards of offense in their 28–10 win.
| Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Round | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Date | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Opponent (seed) | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Result | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Record | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Venue | Baltimore Colts | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Recap | Divisional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 27 | at [Pittsburgh Steelers](1975-pittsburgh-steelers-season) (1) | **L** 10–28 | Three Rivers Stadium | 49,053 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197512270pit.htm) |
Awards and honors
- Sporting News Executive of the Year: Joe Thomas
- AP Coach of the Year, PFW Coach of the Year, Sporting News Coach of the Year, UPI AFC Coach of the Year: Ted Marchibroda
References
References
- Wallace, William N.. (December 15, 1975). "Colts in playoffs? Sure looks like it". Milwaukee Journal.
- (December 22, 1975). "Colts earn Super shot". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- (January 16, 1975). "Marchibroda steps up as coach of Colts". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- (December 28, 1975). "Steeler defense stops Baltimore". Spokesman-Review.
- (December 28, 1975). "Steeler defense too much". Milwaukee Journal.
- Mulvoy, Mark. (January 5, 1976). "A Steelclad case for the defense".
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