1971 Baltimore Colts Season

[@tommythomason6187]

They were still mainly at the top of their game. The defense was as ferocious as those 1960s units, and runningback talent, galore. The talent was deep at all positions, but they'd crumble in '72, and a lot of the younger talent would be gone by 73/74. Defensive end, Newsome, #81, ended up with the Saints, Nottingham ended up with Miami, Bulaich became a Philadelphia Eagle in '73...also, Mackey and Unitas went to the Chargers and Morrall, of course, led the 17-0 Dolphins in 1972, in injured Bob Griese's place. It had to be tough for the old timers to be a party to such a slide the next year. Colts, however, would be back as a title contender by 1975. I always loved 'em...always rooted for them - and I'm from Atlanta.

[@MaximusWolfe]

It’s still a profound tragedy that the Colts ever left Baltimore.

[@starwars518]

I agree but the arrival of the Ravens remedied that for sure

[@ciesaro]

Robert Irsay was not the best of NFL owners

[@WalterWhiteFootballSharing]

@@starwars518 2 Superbowl wins and a fantastic organization led by Ozzie Newsome; I'd say you been blessed. The Ravens have contended and went to playoffs 14 times since 96! I know the 08-11 years were frustrating as f___ with the Steelers. The Indy Colts were trash until Manning; and def were even more frustrating, since they were offense based and that always led to postseason fail.

[@Lewis9700]

I'm happier with the Ravens

[@kratzkamer]

the ravens are not the colts- they are the browns. there is no connection@@starwars518

[@mikevalle1743]

Loved those Colts, Matte and Bulaich in 71 were great!

[@fortynights1513]

Those two were good, Bulaich in particular, and the defense of the 71 Colts was phenomenal. They allowed the fewest first downs of any team in the 70’s, and nobody since has had as few (total or per game). Given how Unitas and Morrall passed this year (their passer ratings were pretty bad this year, and Baltimore was 20th of 26 teams), it’s impressive that they made one last conference championship game. Another fun fact about this team: it featured two future Alabama head coaches; Bill Curry and Ray Perkins.

[@josephmcfarland8442]

The first Colt team, season I remember, late loss to NE killed the season.

[@MartialFit50]

They could have won the division. The way they changed Unitas and Morrall all season had a negative effect on the offense

[@ciesaro]

During the Colts victory in Buffalo Sam Spence's composition "The Ramblin' Man From Grambling" was played. Spence wrote it for Buffalo quarterback James Harris who played in the game.

[@____2080_____]

I’m willing to bet if any of these old-time games get rebroadcast, they would break viewing records. Especially if their marketed in a way to have old NFL fans to relive yesterday.

[@barbaracaroll]

Last good year for this era of the Colts

[@michaelleroy9281]

In Week 11 the Colts gave the Raiders a rare ass kicking at home 37 14

[@howardcosell2022]

49ers smashed the playoff bound Raiders 38-7 at Oakland during the last game of 1970. The AFL was still getting acclimated to playing the NFL

[@davanmani556]

@@howardcosell2022 the AFC Central was the best competitive. The NFC West was either LA or San Fran. Falcons and Saints never got there.

[@ciesaro]

@@howardcosell2022 I was ten and was not weaned into the NFL then. I thought because Oakland already clinched a playoff spot they would not put off am maximum effort against San Francisco. Looking at the highlights apparently I was wrong

[@dennishipsley8703]

The Indianapolis Colts STILL doesn't sound right all these years later.

[@Fireyninjadog]

What a defense

[@ciesaro]

The Rams game against the Colts would be the Rams last visit to Baltimore until 1996

[@howardcosell2022]

The last of the juggernaut Colts. They should have kept Earl Morrall

[@ciesaro]

I suppose Baltimore would have high hopes for Marty Domres.

[@michaelleroy9281]

Both Morrall and Unitas were 37 years old in 1971 Both were going to eventually move on anyway

[@berniecioffoletti3398]

In the game against the Rams, with all due respect to "The Voice" John Fascenda, I don't know what he was talking about when he said the Rams gave the Colts a lot of trouble- since the Colts won their first championship in 1958 (the year of my birth), they've beaten the Rams 17 out of 24 games up to that point, including the '71 game, plus one tie (in 1967).

[@nala3038]

Facenda

[@drbonesshow1]

Shula would have his revenge in the Orange Bowl (AFC Championship) that year and then Landry would topple the Dolphins in Super Bowl VI: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6iVdJx9jdKHnck

[@clifforddriver9434]

By this time, the Rams owner and the Colts owner had exchanged franchises. Carol Rosenblum and Dan Reaves.

[@michaelleroy9281]

His name is Carroll he is not a female they didn't trade franchises until July 13, 1972

[@nala3038]

@@michaelleroy9281exactly

[@ciesaro]

If the drunk Baltimore Colt fan at 18:56 attacked the Steelers of three or four years later he may not be living

[@michaelleroy9281]

You know what Jack Lambert did to Cliff Harris in the Super Bowl

[@nala3038]

@@michaelleroy9281no I didn’t

[@michaelleroy9281]

​@@nala3038After Roy Gerala missed a field goal, Harris was rubbing it in that he missed, then Lambert threw him to the ground

[@jamestagariello8441]

The divisional round 20-3 win over the Browns would be there last playoff win as the Baltimore Colts .

[@Bacalao2929]

Jim Harbaugh beat charges and chiefs

[@____2080_____]

I wonder if the 1971/72 Baltimore Colts, who seemed to be better than the year they won the Super Bowl, would have beaten Dallas again in the Super Bowl, if they had met and played against Roger Starbauch? #WhatIf

[@michaelleroy9281]

I'll take things that never happened for 500, Alex

[@nala3038]

@@michaelleroy9281nice!

[@brucedavis3816]

Does anyone know y the bottom fell out the next year!!!