Tag: Baltimore Colts

The biggest upsets in Super Bowl history based on point spreads

There have been some pretty stunning Super Bowl results over the years.

The Kansas City Chiefs enter Super Bowl 57 as a 1.5-point underdog, making this one of the most even Super Bowls in NFL history as far as bookmakers in Las Vegas are concerned.

But that’s not always the case when the AFC and NFC meet to determine a league champion. And the underdogs aren’t always as out-matched as the spread makes it seem on paper.

Below is a look at the biggest underdogs to have won the Super Bowl, with all historical spreads provided via Pro Football Reference.

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Flashback Friday: Colts shut out Giants, 21-0, in 1975

The Baltimore Colts, led by RB Lydell Mitchell, shut out the New York Giants, 21-0, at Shea Stadium in 1975.

Let’s begin by stating the New York Giants-Indianapolis Colts rivalry isn’t really a thing. This Sunday will mark just the 17th regular season matchup between the two franchises since the Colts came into the NFL as the Baltimore Colts in 1953.

The two clubs met just five times in the regular season between 1953 and the NFL/AFL merger of 1970. The Baltimore Colts were one of three teams (along with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers) to move from the NFL to the new AFC to balance out the conferences at 13 teams apiece.

The teams would meet just three times over the next 20 years. In the 1970s, Baltimore dominated the Giants, beating them 31-7 in both 1971 and 1979 and shutting them out, 21-0, in between in 1975.

The 1975 game was played on December 7 at Shea Stadium, Anyone who has ever been to a late-season game at Shea (present company included) will tell you, it wasn’t pretty. Windy, dusty, and just bitter cold, regardless of the temperature.

On this day, the 8-3 Colts came into Flushing as 10-point favorites over Bill Arnsparger’s 3-8 Giants. Giant fans were weary of traveling all over the Tri-State area to watch this mess of a franchise get embarrassed. There was light at the end of the tunnel as it was announced that Giants Stadium in New Jersey would be ready for the 1976 season. Finally, a place to call home.

The Colts were clearly the better team and they didn’t need star quarterback Bert Jones to do much more than hand off to running back Lydell Mitchell and let the defense do the rest.

All the scoring was done in the first half. Murray Chass, who covered the game for the New York Times that day, wrote this:

On the first scrimmage play of the game, (Giants running back) Doug Kotar fumbled and the Colts went on to score a touchdown. Later in the first quarter, (Colts linebacker) Stan White intercepted a (Giants quarterback Craig) Morton pass and rambled 23 yards for a touchdown. And in the second quarter, the Colts traveled 96 yards for a touchdown after (Colts defensive back) Jim Choyunski stole another Morton pass, this one thrown from Baltimore’s 10‐yard line.

The second half of the game was moot. Morton, who the Giants foolishly acquired via trade two years earlier, was booed mercilessly by a less-than-capacity crowd.

To Morton’s credit, the clueless Giants front office gave him little to work with and he just wasn’t good enough to carry a team on his back. In fact, no quarterback of that era would have succeeded in New York. The Giants were that bad.

Morton was sacked a Colts’ franchise record eight times before the Giants sent in the mercurial Carl Summerell to relieve him in the fourth quarter, who wasn’t sacked, but was just as ineffective and threw an interception of his own.

Morton had a telling quote after the game, per Chass.

“I’m getting paid to do a job and I’m not doing it,” the bewildered quarterback said. “They’re going to react accordingly. . . . I don’t know if you can blame it on the breaks. We’re just not playing well. Could be a few of us are overpaid, huh?”

The Giants somehow won their final two games that year to finish at 5-9. Morton played better but still got sacked five times in those games. The next season, the Giants did move to New Jersey but not until mid-October. They played their first four games on the road — all losses. In fact, they lost their first nine which resulted in Arnsparger’s dismissal.

The Giants finished 3-11 and Morton was traded to Denver after the season. In 1977, Morton led the Broncos to the Super Bowl and was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Year and NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

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Giants vs. Colts: 3 reasons for concern in Week 17

The New York Giants square off in a Sunday afternoon battle against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17. Here are three reasons for concern.

With a victory on Sunday, the New York Giants will clinch their first postseason berth since 2016. They will face off against Nick Foles and the Indianapolis Colts in their last home game of the regular season.

The Colts are coming off an embarrassing loss on Monday Night Football to the Los Angeles Chargers where the scoreboard was much closer than the game played out.

Meanwhile, the Giants are coming off a heartbreaking loss on Christmas Eve in Minnesota against the Vikings on a last-second field goal.

Big Blue is favored headed into the game — a rare spread in the Giants’ favor in the 2022-2023 season.

Here are three causes for concern going into the game against the Colts.

Great Baltimore Colts RB Tom Matte dies at 82

Great Baltimore Colts running back Tom Matte died at age 82

Tom Matte played his entire 12-year NFL career with the Baltimore Colts. After football, he remained part of the Charm City.

On Tuesday, the city lost one of its beloved athletes and personalities as Matte died at the age of 82.

Matte rushed for 4,646 yards and scored 45 touchdowns. To some, he is best remembered for a game he didn’t play running back, exactly.

Per Baltimoresun.com:

He is best remembered for his time at quarterback late in 1965, when the playoff-hopeful Colts lost both Johnny Unitas and his backup, Gary Cuozzo, to injuries on successive weeks. In went Mr. Matte, who hadn’t taken a snap since college. First, while wearing a wristband “cheat sheet” listing plays for a streamlined offense, he led Baltimore to a 20-17 upset of the Los Angeles Rams, rushing for 99 yards. Then, in a playoff for the Western Conference championship, Matte led the Colts (10-3-1) against the favored Green Bay Packers.

Teammates dubbed him “The Arm.” America took note. Walter Cronkite interviewed the “instant quarterback” on the CBS Evening News. Telegrams poured in.

Green Bay won, 13-10, in overtime. Mr. Matte completed five of 12 passes for 40 yards and rushed for 57 more.

“He didn’t botch a handoff or muff a signal all day,” Colts coach Don Shula said afterward.

Many paid tribute:

 

Former college, Colts coach Howard Schnellenberger dies at 87

Coaching great Howard Schnellenberger has died at the age of 87, Florida Atlantic University announced on Saturday.

Coaching great Howard Schnellenberger has died at the age of 87, Florida Atlantic University announced on Saturday.

Schnellenberger held head coaching positions with the Baltimore Colts and in college for the University of Miami, University of Oklahoma, University of Louisville, and Florida Atlantic University. He won a national championship with Miami in 1983.

Schnellenberger was an assistant coach at the college and pro levels, including as part of the staff of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins.

He is also recruited Joe Namath to Alabama for Bear Bryant in 1961.

Schnellenberger succeeded John Sandusky as head coach of the Baltimore Colts on Feb. 14, 1973. The Colts went 4–10–0 in his one full season but managed to upset the defending Super Bowl champion Dolphins towards the end of the 1973 season. He was fired three games into the next season.

Per FAUSports.com:

Beverlee Schnellenberger, who is grateful for the 61 years of marriage to Howard and enjoyed every moment of their life together as well as their football journey, expressed the Schnellenberger family’s appreciation, thanking those who have sent love and prayers, especially through the last several weeks and months. The couple met in 1958 and moved through life with Howard referring to Beverlee as either his bride or his assistant head coach.

“Howard always allowed me to be a part of his football life,” said Beverlee. “Watching him on the sidelines was an opportunity that gave us a special closeness – win or lose – that not many wives get. Even though he never smiled, he was always smiling in his heart. We loved all the moves and challenges. I will miss his warm heart, his warm hands and soft kisses. Howard always treated me special, like a queen, and was truly a husband that every Canadian girl dreams of. You will always be my love, now and forever. I’m proud to be your wife. You were a great leader of men and the leader of our lives.”

Coach Schnellenberger (March 16, 1934 – March 27, 2021) touched so many lives and left an impact upon those who were viewed by his steely blue eyes or addressed by his signature baritone voice. His impact will be carried on through today’s leaders and through the strong men and women who were lucky to fall under his tutelage.

A story that explains the how the Schnellenberger Family Foundation came to be can be read if you click here.

First ‘Instant QB’ Tom Matte praises Broncos’ Kendall Hinton in letter

Tom Matte was the first instant QB and he told Kendall Hinton how proud he was of the Denver Bronco

The need for an emergency — call it more like a panic — quarterback doesn’t happen frequently.

The NFL saw it this past weekend when the Denver Broncos’ quartet of rostered and practice squad QBs got themselves in a COVID-19 thicket. The team turned to Kendall Hinton, who made the best of an absolutely impossible situation.

In 1965, the Baltimore Colts had a quarterback quandary. Johnny Unitas and Gary Cuozzo were unavailable. The Colts turned their offense over to running back Tom Matte, who handled himself quite well.

Matte, now 81, reached out to Hinton this week.

“Fifty-five years ago, I was in your shoes,” Matte wrote per DenverBroncos.com. “I was the Baltimore Colts’ ‘instant quarterback’ and believe me, it was an experience I’ll never forget! Late in the 1965 season, our quarterbacks – John Unitas and Gary Cuozzo – were injured. My usual position with the Colts was halfback but, having played quarterback in college, I was technically the team’s third-string QB. So when Unitas and Cuozzo went down, my initial reaction was simply, ‘Oh, my god. Don’t tell me I have to play quarterback.'”

Here’s an article that details Matte’s run — literally and figuratively — as the Baltimore Colts’ QB, 55 years ago.

Matte told Hinton how proud he was and how the starting role will be something he can proud of for many years, decades.

“As the only two ‘Instant Quarterbacks’ in NFL history, we have a strong connection, thanks to our shared experience,” Matte wrote. “I’m proud of how you stepped up for your teammates, particularly in what was an impossible situation in difficult circumstances. Decades from now, I hope you’ll look back with pride on your experience – you’ll have quite a story to tell your grandchildren!”

The complete text of Matte’s letter to Hinton can be found below:

Please read on for the full letter:

Dear Kendall:

When you took the field against the New Orleans Saints today and lined up under center, not many people watching could relate to you – but I could.

Fifty-five years ago, I was in your shoes. I was the Baltimore Colts’ “instant quarterback” and believe me, it was an experience I’ll never forget! Late in the 1965 season, our quarterbacks – John Unitas and Gary Cuozzo – were injured. My usual position with the Colts was halfback but, having played quarterback in college, I was technically the team’s third-string QB. So when Unitas and Cuozzo went down, my initial reaction was simply, “Oh, my god. Don’t tell me I have to play quarterback.” My confidence wasn’t bolstered when I got into the huddle and the whole offensive line had this message for me: “Good luck, Matte.” I needed luck, as I hadn’t played the position in nearly five years. My teammates followed up with this question, “Do you even know how to call the plays?”

By the time I took the field against the Los Angeles Rams – and faced the formidable “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line of Rosey Grier, Lamar Lundy, and future Hall-of-Famers Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen – I’d had a crash course in playing quarterback in the National Football League. The coaches had prepared a game plan better suited to my abilities – that is, fewer passes and far more running plays – and my wife had written the plays on a wristband that I wore. To my astonishment, the Colts beat the Rams that day!

After defeating the Rams, we faced the Green Bay Packers in a conference championship game that would determine which team would go on to the NFL Championship Game. Typical of Colts-Packers games, this one was close. Late in the game, the Packers tied the score with a field goal that sailed wide of the uprights, but was ruled good by a referee. (Years later, in fact, kicker Don Chandler admitted the kick was wide.) The game went to overtime and Chandler kicked another field goal – this one legitimate – that sent the Packers to the championship game and the Colts to a runner-up game with the Dallas Cowboys.

Against the Cowboys, Colts’ Head Coach Don Shula added several passing plays to the game plan, despite his lack of confidence in my passing ability. In fact, he warned the Colts’ defense that they were likely to see a lot of playing time, as he expected quite a few of my passes to be intercepted. To the surprise of Coach Shula and my teammates, I threw two touchdown passes and we trounced the Cowboys, 35-3. That ended my quarterback days, and while I never made it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, my wristband did!

As the only two “Instant Quarterbacks” in NFL history, we have a strong connection, thanks to our shared experience. I’m proud of how you stepped up for your teammates, particularly in what was an impossible situation in difficult circumstances. Decades from now, I hope you’ll look back with pride on your experience – you’ll have quite a story to tell your grandchildren!

Tom Matte

 

 

Ravens vs. Colts: 7 fun facts about this Week 9 matchup

Seven nuggets for you to impress your friends with regarding this matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts in Week 9

Week 9 of the 2020 season features at least one game between two teams firmly in the AFC playoff picture. The 5-2 Baltimore Ravens take on the 5-2 Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, with the Ravens looking to bounce back after losing to the Steelers last week. The Colts meanwhile are coming off a comfortable victory over the Detroit Lions.

This matchup goes beyond the action on the field, both for the teams and the people of Baltimore. There are a host of connections between these two teams, some you may be aware of and others that may surprise you. Here are seven nuggets about this rivalry for you to drop into conversations leading up to the game, leaving your listeners blown away by the depth of your knowledge.

Paul Rochester, member of Jets’ Super Bowl III team, dead at 81

Paul Rochester, a member of the Jets’ Super Bowl III team has died at the age of 81.

Former Jets defensive tackle Paul Rochester died this past weekend at the age of 81.

A member of the Jets from 1963 to 1969, Rochester was part of the Super Bowl III team that upset the Colts. He spent the first few years of his career with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs.

Rochester is one of 20 players in football history to play from the beginning to the end of the American Football League. Throughout his time with the Jets, Rochester was a starting defensive tackle.

Most modern stats weren’t recorded back in the 60s, but Rochester did have two fumble recoveries and one sack in 1968 with the Jets. The sack came in the AFL Championship Game against the Oakland Raiders. It was the only sack of the entire game. The Jets then went on to beat the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.

Rochester wasn’t looked at as one of the big names on those Jets teams back in the 60s. However, he did contribute in stopping the run game and opening up lanes for his fellow teammates.

“Paul was an underrated defensive tackle who played a major role on the Jets’ Super Bowl championship team,” former Jets public relations director Frank Ramos said. “He was a great run stopper who enabled defensive ends Gerry Philbin and Verlon Biggs to rush from the outside and John Elliott, the quick defensive tackle, to rush up the middle. Walt Michaels came up with a scheme to use undersized linebacker Carl McAdams at DT on passing downs, leading the 1968 Jets to have the number one defense in the AFL.”

NBCSN to re-air Jets’ Super Bowl III win over Colts

NBC Sports Network is re-airing the Jets’ Super Bowl III victory over the Baltimore Colts.

If you’re missing Jets football right now, there is a way to fix that.

NBC Sports Network is re-airing the Jets’ Super Bowl III victory over the Baltimore Colts on Sunday, June 7 at 8 p.m. ET as part of NBCSN’s Super Bowl week. During the broadcast of the game, Liam McHugh will interview Super Bowl III MVP Joe Namath.

Super Bowl III is the only big game experience in Gang Green history. The Jets won 16-7 over the Colts. At the time, it was considered one of the biggest upsets in sports history.

Namath himself didn’t have the greatest game, but he was good enough to lead the Jets to victory. Running back Matt Snell actually led the Jets offensively with 30 carries for 121 yards and one touchdown. The Jets defense also did an amazing job, forcing the Colts to turn the ball over five times. The Jet defense only allowed Johnny Unitas to throw for 110 yards in the game. He also threw an interception.

This game should particularly interest younger Jets fans who have never seen the Jets win a championship. For the older crowd, it’s a flashback to the past, a time when the Jets were actually capable of winning something.

So if you have nothing else to do on a Sunday night and need some Jets football, NBCSN is where you’ll want to tune into.