1968 NFL Championship Game
The 1968 NFL Championship Game was the 36th annual championship of the National Football League (NFL), contested on December 29, 1968, between the Baltimore Colts and the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. In a decisive shutout, the Colts defeated the Browns 34–0, propelled by a dominant rushing attack and stifling defense, to claim the NFL title and advance as the league's representative in Super Bowl III against the New York Jets of the rival American Football League (AFL).[1] The Baltimore Colts entered the game as heavy favorites after a stellar regular season, finishing with a 13–1 record under quarterback Earl Morrall, who had taken over for the injured Johnny Unitas and earned NFL Most Valuable Player honors with 2,909 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.[2] Their only loss had come against the Browns in Week 7, a 30–20 defeat that fueled their motivation for the rematch. In the divisional round, the Colts had advanced by edging the Minnesota Vikings 24–14, showcasing a balanced offense led by running back Tom Matte (662 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns) and tight end John Mackey (644 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns), complemented by a defense anchored by end Bubba Smith that allowed just 144 points all season.[2] The Cleveland Browns, coached by Blanton Collier, had rebounded from a 2–3 start to finish 10–4 and secure the Century Division title, thanks largely to the dynamic duo of running back Leroy Kelly (1,239 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns) and wide receiver Paul Warfield (1,067 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns).[3] Quarterback Bill Nelsen provided steady leadership with 2,366 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, helping the Browns upset the Dallas Cowboys 31–20 in the divisional playoff just eight days earlier.[3][4] That victory marked Cleveland's first playoff win since 1965 and positioned them as underdogs seeking their first NFL title since 1964, when they had blanked the Colts 27–0 in the championship game at the same stadium. Played in chilly conditions—27 degrees Fahrenheit with 22-mile-per-hour winds—the championship highlighted the Colts' physicality from the outset. Matte rushed for 88 yards and three touchdowns (a then-NFL single-game postseason record-tying performance), while fullback Jerry Hill added 60 yards, as Baltimore built a 17–0 halftime lead en route to total dominance; the Browns managed just 173 total yards and twelve first downs.[1][5] Kicker Lou Michaels contributed two field goals and four extra points for the Colts, whose defense, including interceptions by Rick Volk and Mike Curtis, prevented any Cleveland scoring threat.[1] As the penultimate pre-merger NFL Championship before the AFL-NFL leagues fully integrated in 1970, the game underscored the era's competitive intensity and served as a showcase for the Colts' status as the NFL's premier team.[6] However, the triumph was bittersweet; despite entering Super Bowl III as 18-point favorites on January 12, 1969, the Colts suffered a stunning 16–7 upset loss to the Jets, quarterbacked by Joe Namath, which validated the AFL's parity and accelerated the merger's momentum.[7][6] The 1968 championship remains notable for its lopsided score and as a pivotal moment bridging the NFL's traditional dominance with the evolving landscape of professional football.Background
1968 NFL Season Overview
The 1968 NFL season consisted of 16 teams organized into the Eastern and Western Conferences, with each conference subdivided into two four-team divisions: the Capitol and Century Divisions in the East, and the Coastal and Central Divisions in the West. This structure, established by a league realignment in 1967 to accommodate the expansion New Orleans Saints, aimed to foster regional rivalries and balanced competition while maintaining the traditional East-West split.[8] Teams competed in a 14-game regular-season schedule, a format in place since 1961 that allowed for inter-conference and intra-division matchups to determine division winners. The season showcased notable competitive balance, as four NFL teams posted 10 or more victories, reflecting improved parity amid growing talent distribution league-wide. Although no major rule alterations were enacted for 1968, the ongoing effects of the 1966 NFL-AFL merger continued to shape the landscape, including a unified player draft since 1967 and the establishment of the Super Bowl as an annual AFL-NFL title clash, paving the way for complete league consolidation by 1970.[9] In the Eastern Conference, the Dallas Cowboys captured the Capitol Division with a 12–2 record, edging out the Philadelphia Eagles (3–11), Washington Redskins (5–9), and New Orleans Saints (3–11). The Cleveland Browns topped the Century Division at 10–4, ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals (9–4–1), New York Giants (7–7), and Pittsburgh Steelers (5–8–1). While the Western Conference saw the Baltimore Colts lead the Coastal Division at 13–1 and the Minnesota Vikings win the Central at 8–6, the Eastern outcomes held particular relevance for the playoff structure leading to the NFL Championship.[10]Team Profiles
The Baltimore Colts entered the 1968 NFL Championship Game with a roster bolstered by veteran talent and a coaching staff led by Don Shula, who emphasized a disciplined, versatile defense that allowed the fewest points in the league at 144 over 14 games.[2] Key offensive highlights included quarterback Johnny Unitas, who had returned from a severe preseason elbow injury that sidelined him for most of the regular season, providing leadership and experience despite limited play in just five games.[11] Running back Tom Matte anchored the ground game with 662 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, while wide receiver Willie Richardson contributed 698 receiving yards and eight scores, supporting a balanced attack that scored 402 points, second in the NFL.[12] The team's strengths lay in this offensive equilibrium paired with Shula's defensive scheme, which limited opponents to 10.3 points per game through aggressive play and coverage.[2] The Cleveland Browns, coached by Blanton Collier, relied on a potent rushing offense as their primary strength, led by running back Leroy Kelly, the NFL's leading rusher with 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns that season.[3] Quarterback Bill Nelsen directed the passing game effectively, throwing for 2,366 yards and 19 touchdowns in 11 starts, while wide receiver Paul Warfield added explosive deep threats with 1,067 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.[13] Collier's scheme prioritized the run-heavy approach, enabling the Browns to score 394 points, third in the league, but the defense exposed vulnerabilities by surrendering 273 points, ranking 7th overall and struggling against balanced attacks.[3] In comparison, the Colts finished the regular season with a 13-1 record, topping the NFL Coastal Division, while the Browns went 10-4 to claim the Century Division title; notably, Cleveland had defeated Baltimore 30-20 in their lone regular-season matchup earlier that year.[14][15] This contrast highlighted the Colts' superior defensive edge and overall consistency against the Browns' reliance on offensive firepower tempered by backfield weaknesses.Path to the Championship
Baltimore Colts Journey
The Baltimore Colts achieved a dominant 13–1 regular season record in 1968, securing the Western Conference's Coastal Division championship and the top seed in the NFL playoffs under head coach Don Shula. Their sole defeat occurred in Week 6, a 20–30 loss to the Cleveland Browns at home, after which they won their final 8 games of the regular season, including decisive victories over rivals such as the Green Bay Packers (16–3) and Minnesota Vikings (21–9). The team's offensive output averaged 28.7 points per game, while their defense allowed a league-low 10.3 points per contest, showcasing a balanced approach that propelled them to the conference lead.[2][6] Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas, the 1967 NFL MVP and recovering from a pre-season elbow injury, appeared in 5 games with limited effectiveness (11 completions of 32 attempts for 139 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions) before being sidelined; backup Earl Morrall seamlessly took over as starter from Week 1, directing the offense with poise and earning All-Pro honors and the NFL MVP award for his league-leading 26 touchdown passes and 2,909 yards through the air. Morrall's performance, supported by a robust running game led by fullback Jerry Hill and halfback Tom Matte, exemplified Shula's adaptive strategy that maintained the Colts' momentum despite the early setback at quarterback.[11][6] In the divisional playoff at Memorial Stadium, the Colts defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24–14 to advance to the NFL Championship Game. Morrall excelled, completing 13 of 22 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns—a 3-yard strike to tight end Tom Mitchell in the second quarter and a 49-yard bomb to John Mackey in the third—while the defense forced two interceptions, one each by cornerback Bobby Boyd and safety Jerry Logan, and capitalized on a fumble with a 60-yard return touchdown by linebacker Mike Curtis. This victory highlighted the Colts' defensive resilience and offensive efficiency, building significant confidence in Shula's game plan as the team prepared for the conference title clash.[16][17]Cleveland Browns Journey
The Cleveland Browns finished the 1968 regular season with a 10-4 record, capturing first place in the NFL's Century Division after overcoming a 2–3 start with an eight-game winning streak.[3] At Cleveland Municipal Stadium, the Browns excelled with a 5-2 home record, delivering dominant performances such as a 47-13 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles and a 45-10 victory over the New York Giants. Running back Leroy Kelly led the charge on the ground, rushing for 1,239 yards, while quarterback Bill Nelsen orchestrated an efficient passing attack, throwing for 2,366 yards after assuming the starting role early in the season.[18][19] Facing the 12-2 Dallas Cowboys in the Eastern Conference Championship game at home—effectively the divisional playoff—the Browns secured a 31-20 upset victory. Standout moments featured Leroy Kelly's 45-yard touchdown reception from Nelsen in the second quarter and his 35-yard rushing score in the third, alongside linebacker Dale Lindsey's 27-yard interception return for a touchdown that highlighted the defense's opportunistic stands.[4][20] This playoff triumph encapsulated the Browns' underdog story, as they transformed early-season inconsistencies into momentum, earning a home berth in the NFL Championship Game through a balanced offense and timely defensive plays.[3][20]Pregame Context
Venue and Officials
The 1968 NFL Championship Game took place at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 29. Completed in 1931 on the shores of Lake Erie, the stadium served as the home of the Cleveland Browns and had a football capacity of approximately 78,000; it previously hosted NFL championship games in 1950, 1952, 1954, and 1964, underscoring its role as a key venue in league title contests.[21][22] The contest drew a sellout crowd of 78,410 spectators. Weather conditions were cold and windy, with clear skies and temperatures of 27°F (–3°C) at kickoff, 22-mile-per-hour (35 km/h) winds, and a wind chill of 13°F (–11°C), providing playable footing without precipitation.[1] Officiating the game was a six-man crew led by referee Harry "Bud" Brubaker (number 23), with umpire Lou Palazzi (51), head linesman Ed Marion (26), line judge Bruce Alford (24), field judge Fritz Graf (34), and back judge Ralph Vandenberg (47). In 1968, NFL games employed six officials to cover the field, a standard that included positions for monitoring play from behind each end zone and along the sidelines but lacked the side judge role, which was not added until 1978 to address growing complexities in passing and coverage rules. The crew's calls were generally uncontroversial, reflecting the era's emphasis on basic enforcement without instant replay.[23][24]Expectations and Stakes
The Baltimore Colts entered the 1968 NFL Championship Game as 6-point favorites over the Cleveland Browns, despite playing at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, a reflection of widespread public sentiment favoring Baltimore's seasoned roster and dominant 13-1 regular season performance. This betting line underscored the perception of the Colts as the superior team, buoyed by their league-leading defense that allowed just 144 points all season, even after the Browns had upset them 30-20 in their regular-season meeting on October 20.[1][25] Media narratives portrayed the Browns as resilient underdogs, emphasizing their improbable eight-game winning streak to clinch the Century Division and their opportunity to return to the NFL title game for the first time since 1965. Coverage contrasted Cleveland's momentum-driven run under coach Blanton Collier with the Colts' quest for redemption, led by Don Shula, who faced intense pressure to deliver his first championship following playoff defeats in 1964 and 1965—including a 27-0 loss to the Browns in the 1964 title game. The anticipated availability of quarterback Johnny Unitas, sidelined since a preseason injury but cleared for playoffs, fueled speculation about a potential late-game insertion behind starter Earl Morrall, heightening the storyline of Baltimore's veteran depth against Cleveland's upstart challenge.[25][26][27] The stakes extended beyond divisional supremacy, as the victor would represent the NFL in Super Bowl III against the AFL champion New York Jets on January 12, 1969, in a matchup that bridged the rival leagues amid their impending merger. This game marked the final standalone NFL Championship before the 1970 completion of the AFL-NFL merger, agreed upon in 1966, amplifying the pressure on Shula to affirm the established league's dominance over the upstart AFL in what was effectively the Eastern Conference finale.[28]The Game
Overall Summary
The 1968 NFL Championship Game, played on December 29, 1968, at Cleveland Municipal Stadium before 78,410 spectators, ended in a decisive 34-0 shutout victory for the Baltimore Colts over the Cleveland Browns. This lopsided affair highlighted the Colts' offensive efficiency and defensive dominance, as they controlled the pace from the outset and never allowed the Browns to mount a serious threat. The heavily favored Colts, seeking to avenge their only regular-season defeat to Cleveland, delivered a comprehensive performance that propelled them to the NFL title and a berth in Super Bowl III.[1][6] The game unfolded as a one-sided defensive masterclass, with the Colts generating 353 total yards to the Browns' meager 173, while capitalizing on three Cleveland turnovers—including two interceptions and one lost fumble—that stifled any potential momentum shifts. The first quarter was scoreless, marked by mutual defensive stands and limited offensive production, before the Colts seized control in the second quarter, surging to a 17-0 halftime lead through sustained drives and opportunistic scoring. This early explosion set the tone, as Baltimore's defense continued to disrupt the Browns' rhythm, forcing punts and turnovers that preserved their advantage.[1][29] Building on their second-quarter surge, the Colts extended the lead to 24-0 by the end of the third quarter, methodically adding points while their defense maintained a shutout. The fourth quarter saw Baltimore tack on a final touchdown, sealing the 34-0 triumph in chilly, windy conditions. Throughout, the Colts' balanced attack and relentless pressure exemplified their status as the league's premier team that season, turning what was anticipated as a competitive matchup into a rout.[1][29]Key Plays and Performances
The Baltimore Colts' running back Tom Matte delivered a standout performance, earning game MVP honors with 17 carries for 88 yards and three rushing touchdowns, including a pivotal 2-yard scoring run in the third quarter that extended the lead to 24-0.[1][30] His efforts anchored the Colts' ground attack, which controlled the tempo and prevented any meaningful Browns comeback.[31] Quarterback Earl Morrall directed the offense effectively, completing 11 of 25 passes for 169 yards with one interception. On the Browns' side, quarterback Bill Nelsen struggled under pressure, completing 11 of 26 passes for 132 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions before being benched for Frank Ryan (2 of 6 for 19 yards), while enduring three sacks that resulted in a 27-yard loss and limiting Cleveland's aerial threat.[1] Running back Leroy Kelly was similarly contained, managing just 13 carries for 28 yards against the Colts' stout front.[1] The Colts' defense dominated, recording a shutout by sacking Nelsen repeatedly—including a notable 7-yard loss on first down by defensive end Ordell Braase and tackle Fred Miller—and forcing two turnovers to stifle Cleveland's offense.[1] Safety Rick Volk's interception of a Nelsen pass set up a scoring opportunity in the second quarter and shifted momentum decisively.[1] The Browns' missed opportunities were compounded by kicker Don Cockroft's three failed field goal attempts, which could have narrowed the gap early but instead left points off the board and highlighted Cleveland's inability to capitalize on rare field position advantages.[32] Additionally, a Browns fumble recovery by cornerback Erich Barnes led to an interception by linebacker Mike Curtis shortly after, further derailing any potential rally.[1]Scoring Summary
The 1968 NFL Championship Game was a one-sided affair, with the Baltimore Colts scoring all 34 points in a shutout victory over the Cleveland Browns. The scoring events occurred as follows, with the Browns unable to put points on the board despite three missed field goal attempts by kicker Don Cockroft.[1][33]| Quarter | Time | Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | — | BAL | Lou Michaels 28 yd. field goal | BAL 3–0 |
| 2nd | — | BAL | Tom Matte 1 yd. run (Lou Michaels kick) | BAL 10–0 |
| 2nd | — | BAL | Tom Matte 12 yd. run (Lou Michaels kick) | BAL 17–0 |
| 3rd | — | BAL | Tom Matte 2 yd. run (Lou Michaels kick) | BAL 24–0 |
| 4th | — | BAL | Lou Michaels 10 yd. field goal | BAL 27–0 |
| 4th | — | BAL | Timmy Brown 4 yd. run (Lou Michaels kick) | BAL 34–0 |