12. 2021 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION LOS ANGELES RAMS at 5. 1959 NFL CHAMPION BALTIMORE COLTS
5. 1959 NFL CHAMPION BALTIMORE COLTS
RecordL 9-3
Pythag: 9-3
Off: 1st
Def: 7th
d. Giants NFL Title 31-16
HC: Weeb Ewbank
Memorial Stadium: 50 degrees
Chuck Thompson
Offense:
QB Johnny Unitas (26 Louisville) All Pro
RB Alan Ameche (26 Wisconsin)
RB Mike Sommer (25 G Washington)
RB Lenny Moore (26 Penn St) All Pro
WR Ray Berry (25 SMU) All Pro
WR Jim Mutscheller (29 N Dame)
LT Jim Parker (25 Ohio St) All Pro
LG Art Spinney (32 B College)
C Buzz Nutter (28 Va Tech)
RG Alex Sandusky (27 Clarion)
RT George Preas (26 Va Tech)
Defense
LDE Gino Marchetti (32 USF) All Pro
LDT Art Donovan (34 B College)
RDT Big Daddy Lipscomb (28 None) All Pro
RDE Don Joyce (30 Tulane)
LLB Bill Pellington (32 Rutgers)
MLB Dick Szymanski (27 N Dame)
RLB Don Shinnick (24 UCLA)
LDH Carl Taseff (31 J Carroll)
RDH Milt Davis (30 UCLA)
LS Andy Nelson (26 Memphis) All Pro
RS Ray Brown (23 Ole Miss)
K Steve Myhra (25 N Dakota)
P Dave Sherer (22 SMU)
KR/PR Johnny Sample (23 ME Shore)
We get a good one here in the 5/12, battle of World Champions - the 1959 Baltimore Colts host this one, top offense in football. Johnny Unitas is 26, All Pro, 34 total scores and 14 picks. Lenny Moore and Ray Berry are also 26, also All Pro and have a combined 22 scores (note, this is a 12 game season). Jim Parker's 25 at LT, the 4th All Pro on the offense. The defense won't help them much, despite 2 All Pros on the DLine, 32 year old Gino Marchetti, 28 year old Big Daddy Lipscomb. A third is in the secondary, 26 year old Andy Nelson.
12. 2021 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION LOS ANGELES RAMS
Record: 12-5
Pythag: 11-6
Off: 7th
Def: 15th
d. Cards WC 34-11
d. Bucs Div Rnd 30-27
d. Niners NFC Title 20-17
d. Bengals Super Bowl 23-20
HC: Sean McVay, OC Kevin O'Connell, DC Raheem Morris
Offense
QB Matthew Stafford (33 Georgia)
RB Sony Michel (26 Georgia)
WR Cooper Kupp All Pro (28 E Washington)
WR Van Jefferson (25 Florida)
WR Robert Woods (29 USC)
TE Tyler Higbee (28 W Kentucky)
T Rob Havenstein (29 Wisc)
G David Edwards (24 Wisc)
C Brian Allen (26 Mich St)
G Austin Corbett (26 Nevada)
T Andrew Whitworth (40 LSU)
Defense
DT Aaron Donald All Pro (30 Pitt)
DT Greg Gaines (25 Wash)
DT A'Shawn Robinson (26 Alabama)
LB Leonard Floyd (29 Georgia)
LB Troy Reeder (27 Delaware)
LB Von Miller (32 Tex A&M)
CB Jalen Ramsey All Pro (27 Florida St)
CB Darious Williams (28 UAB)
CB David Long (23 Mich)
SS Jordan Fuller (23 Ohio St)
FS Taylor Rapp (24 Wash)
K Matt Gay (27 Utah)
P Johnny Hekker (31 Ore St)
KR Brandon Powell (26 Florida)
PR Tutu Atwell (22 Louisville)
Over 60 years separating these 2 champions, it's a real test for the ability of a 50s champion to hang with an ultramodern champion. The Rams aren't special on either offense or defense, just okay in the context of 2021 and reach even as high as they do, the 12th seed in region 4, given the status as the most contemporary Super Bowl Champion. Matt Stafford is 33, 41 scores and 17 picks. The All Pro on offense is Cooper Kupp, 28, nearly 2000 yards receiving on 145 catches and 16 scores. 2 All Pros on defense, 30 year old Aaron Donald with 12.5 sacks and 27 year old Jalen Ramsey.
Can the '59 Colts, with the best offense in football - hang with the 2021 Super Bowl Champs?
Let's go to Baltimore for the kick
1st Qtr
Rams to start at the 28.
1/10 - The first play called by Sean McVay in the tournament is a run, Sony Michel, he gets 3.
2/7 - On the next play, Michel loses 4.
3/11 - Matt Stafford's first pass is to Michel in space, he finds room to run for 19.
1/10 - Darrell Henderson for 3.
2/7 - Incomplete
3/7 - Stafford to his TE Tyler Higbee, 7 yards and the first down at the Colt 44.
1/10 - Stafford to Cooper Kupp - 6 yards.
2/4 - Incomplete
3/4 - Stafford to Henderson for 4 and the first. 34 yard line.
1/10 - Henderson for 1.
2/9 - Stafford is dumped - Gino Marchetti sack. 3rd and long.
3/12 - Stafford picks it up - a dozen yards to Kupp at the Rams are at the 24.
1/10 - Henderson runs for 10 and it's a first and goal.
1/goal - Stafford goes to the end zone -- Van Jefferson -- TOUCHDOWN RAMS - really impressive opening drive, 14 plays and took half the first qtr.
Colts at the 24.
They get a first down on a Johnny Unitas to Lenny Moore 12 yard pass, but that's all and after the punt, LA opens at the 33.
1/10 - Sony Michel goes right up the gut - 28 big, big yards.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Incomplete
3/10 - McVay calls a draw play, Henderson gets close to the sticks - but doesn't make it - 4th and a yard - McVay goes conservative here, interesting decision - Matt Gay with the 48 yard FG.....and he misses it.
So thats a big moment - Rams drive down the field and score and drive down the field again but decide against taking a shot on 4th and 1 and they give the ball back to Baltimore.
Alan Ameche gets a yard.
Unitas to Ray Berry for 9 and the first.
Mike Sommer stacked up at the line as the qtr ends.
2nd Qtr
Rams came right out, drove down the field, sucked up half the first qtr, and take a 7-0 lead. Colts now with a 2nd and 10 near midfield after a missed LA FG.
The next 2 plays net 2 and the Colts punt.
Rams at the 28. 3 and out.
Colts at the 29. They pick up a first down on a Unitas 11 yarder to Barry, but it ends there.
Rams at the 36.
1/10 - Stafford finds Sony Michel, again, in space in the middle of the field, 23 yards, really good play design from McVay.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Henderson for 2.
3/8 - Stafford to Higbee for 17 yards - that's a big first down to the 22.
1/10 - Stafford to Henderson on the sideline - breaks a tackle -- and Henderson is gonna go - Henderson is gonna go -- TOUCHDOWN RAMS -- can a mediocre 1959 defense stop the 2021 Super Bowl Champions? It doesn't appear so, 14-0.
Colts at the 27, 1st and 15 after a penalty.
1/15 - Alan Ameche for 1.
2/14 - Lenny Moore for 3.
3/11 - Unitas finds Ray Berry for 15 and the Colts are at the 46.
1/10 - Moore for 2.
2/8 - Alan Ameche goes for 19 - a big play and the Colts are moving now, at the Rams 33 with 2:47 left in the half.
1/10 - Lenny Moore for 7.
2/3 - Moore is stacked up.
3/3 -- Mike Sommer gets a yard - and the Colts have 4th and 2 at the 25. 1:56.
So, big spot here - Colts down 14-0, under 2 minutes in the half - 4th and short.
Ewbank decides to go for it.
Unitas rolling out - looking toward the end zone - firing to Ray Barry at the goal line - Picked Off - by Jalen Ramsey -- And Ramsey Has Open Field! Ramsey down the sideline! Ramsey down the sideline! Ramsey across midfield. Ramsey to the 40 -- the 30 -- the 20 -- the 10 -- And He Is Brought Down From behind by Lenny Moore! Lenny Moore runs across the full length of the field and catches Jalen Ramsey from behind at the 5 yard line!
Huge play - the Colts go for it on 4th and short - Ramsey intercepts Unitas at the goal line and runs all the way to the Baltimore 5 yard line where he is tackled from behind - maybe a game saving play, as it's already 14-0, by Lenny Moore.
1:38 left.
On the next play - Stafford is Drilled by Gino Marchetti when attempting to pass - the ball is in the air - snatched by Big Daddy Lipscomb -- it's ruled to be a pass - and that's an Interception for the Colts! Wow - giant reversals in the last two plays - the result is it's still 14-0; Baltimore will get a couple of first downs before the end of the half on two 12 yard balls from Unitas to Jim Mutscheller. A Leonard Floyd sack of Unitas ends the half.
Third Qtr
Rams had their way, long scoring drives, but a missed FG and a pick keeps the Colts within shouting distance.
Colts start at the 20.
1/10 - Alan Ameche for 4.
2/6 - Unitas to Ameche for 8.
1/10 - Ameche again, 15 yards - and the Colts near midfield.
1/10 - Lenny Moore for 3.
2/7 - Unitas to Ameche again, 9 yards and another first at the Rams 41.
1/10 - Ameche again, 11 yards to the 30.
But that's it. The next 3 plays net 5 yards - and then Steve Myhra misses a 42 yard FG.
Colts come up empty. Rams regain possession at their own 32. 8:50 left in the third.
1/10 - Stafford goes downfield. Cooper Kupp. 30 yards.
1/10 - Stafford sacked by Marchetti. He's got 2.
2/16 - Sony Michel for 3.
3/13 - Stafford picks it up - 19 for Higbee -- Rams now at the 22 with 6 left in the third and a 14 pt lead.
The next 3 plays net 3 yards - Matt Gay FG makes it 17-0.
Colts at the 29. 3:41.
1/10 - Alan Ameche has been the Colts offense today, he goes for 16.
1/10 - Ameche again for 10 and Baltimore crosses midfield.
1/10 - Lenny Moore carry - 17 yards - the Colts getting big gains.
1/10 - Sommer loses 2.
2/12 - Runs on every play - Ameche goes for 12, it's a first down, a Sommer run is stacked up as the quarter ends - it's Colts ball at the Rams 18, 2nd and 10 as we switch ends.
4th Quarter
Rams solidly out front all day, 17-0; Baltimore moving the ball on the ground, but 3 scores down. 2nd and 10 at the LA 18.
Sommer loses a yard on the next play - it's 3rd and 11 -- and Unitas hits Ray Berry in the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN COLTS - Baltimore is on the board, early 4th, down 10.
Rams start at the 34. They go 3 and out, Big Daddy Lipscomb adds a sack to his INT.
Nice return for the Colts - Johnny Sample getting to the LA 34, where Baltimore takes over with 12:53 left, down 10.
1/10 - Sommer loses 4. Aaron Donald blowing up that one.
2/14 - Unitas to Berry - it's 18 yards and it's a first down and this 1959 Baltimore crowd is starting to stir.
1/10 - Ameche for 2.
2/8 - Sommer loses another yard. Third and long.
3/9 - Unitas to the endzone -- it's Mutscheller -- and it's a TOUCHDOWN COLTS - Baltimore scores twice in the first 5 minutes of the 4th quarter -- and now, with 9:49 left to go, the Rams lead is down to 17-14 and the game is in doubt for the first time today.
Rams at the 39.
And they go 3 and out. Hooooo, boy.
Baltimore ball. 26 yard line. 8:09 left. 17-14 Rams. Can Unitas do it?
1/10 - Ameche loses a yard, Donald again in the backfield.
2/11 - Sommer gets 2 and it's third and 9.
3/9 - Unitas to Ray Berry -- it's 18 yards - the Colts are at their own 45 with 6:14 to go and the Baltimore fans are roaring.
1/10 - Moore for 1.
2/9 - Lenny Moore goes for 15 yards - Jim Parker clearing the way -- the Colts are at the 39 yard line with 4:54 to go.
1/10 - Unitas finds Mutscheller for 11 - another first down.
1/10 - Sommer for 2.
2/8 - Unitas to Ray Berry -- he'll be just short of the sticks, Colts at the Rams 19 yard line with under 3 minutes to play. 21-17 Rams. Ohhhhh, boyyyyy...
3/1 - It's a give to Ameche - he's got the first down and more -- Alan Ameche all the way to the Rams 5 yard line! First and Goal for the Colts! 2:47 left.
1/goal - Unitas drops back - it's Lenny Moore in the endzone -- TOUCHDOWWWWWNNNN COLTS! -- 21 consecutive Colts points - and Baltimore goes up 21-17!
Rams get the ball back. Can Stafford turn this around? Can the Rams go win this game?
2:37 to go. Rams at the 20.
1/10 - It's a daw on first down, Henderson for 4.
2/6 - Incomplete.
3/6 -Stafford to Van Jefferson for 8 yards and a first down.
1/10 - Sony Michel gets a yard, that gets us to the 2 minute warning.
2/9 - Michel carries for 5. Third and 4, the Rams stopping the clock at their own 38.
3/4 - Incomplete.
So - 4th down and 4. 1:49 to go.
Stafford drops back -- and is Leveled On a Safety Blitz by Andy Nelson - Nelson sacks Stafford on 4th and 4 - and that is that - Colts will take possession at the LA 33 yard line with just 1:40 to play in the game.
Baltimore runs the ball 3 times. Gets only a yard. Rams burn their remaining timeouts.
With under a minute left - Myrha.....Misses....a 49 yard FG......
And the Rams get the ball back. 50 seconds left, out of time outs, at their own 39 yard line, down 21-17.
1/10 - Stafford goes to Higbee over the middle, a dozen yards, Rams cross midfield.
1/10 - Stafford runs to the line, spikes the ball - and so with 34 seconds left, Rams have 2nd and 10, no timeouts.
2/10 - Incomplete.
3/10 - Stafford dropping back - Stafford finding Robert Woods over the middle in space -- and Woods has some room - Woods breaks a tackle -- Woods is all the way down to the Colts 10 yard line! Woods to the Colts 10 yard line -- Stafford sprinting to the line - Stafford able to spike the ball to stop the clock with 3 seconds to go! 3 seconds to go! 3 seconds to go!
One play. That's it. One play. One team moves on, one goes home.
Rams at the Colts 10.
3 seconds left. Down by 4.
Stafford drops back - Stafford looking to the end zone - Stafford floats one in the corner -- to Cooper Kupp -- KUPP -----KUPP CATCHES IT - CUPP IS IN THE ENDZONE -- TOUCHDOWN RAMS! TOUCHDOWN RAMS! TOUCHDOWN RAMS!! Matt Stafford to Cooper Kupp on the final play of the game - and after the XP - it's all done, it's all done - Stafford, Kupp - and the LA Rams come into Baltimore, blow a 17 point lead -- but go 61 yards in the last 51 seconds with no timeouts and win the game as the clock strikes zero -- Stafford to Kupp -- Stafford to Kupp!!!!
Final: Rams 24 Colts 21
Baltimore had 9 more first downs and a 13 minute edge in time of possession and they go home while it's the Rams who head to Rnd 2.
Stafford: 19 for 30, 263 yds, 3 TD/1 INT
Unitas: 18 for 24, 206 yds, 3 TD/1 INT
Michel: 11 carries, 40 yds, 2 receptions, 42 yds
Ameche: 20 carries, 107 yds
Kupp: 7 catches, 67 receptions, 1 TD
Berry: 8 catches, 106 yds, 1 TD
Marchetti: 2 sacks
Lipscomb: 1 sack/1 INT
Player of the Game: Matthew Stafford
