1981 Baltimore Colts season

1981 Baltimore Colts season
1981 Baltimore Colts season
Owner	Robert Irsay
General manager	Dick Szymanski
Head coach	Mike McCormack
Home field	Memorial Stadium
Results
Record	2–14
Division place	T-4th AFC East
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	None
	← 1980; Colts seasons; 1982 →;

The 1981 Baltimore Colts season was the 29th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL). The Colts finished the NFL's 1981 season with a record of 2 wins and 14 losses, finishing in a tie with the New England Patriots for both last place in their division, the AFC East, and the worst record in the league. However, by virtue of beating the Patriots for their only two wins of the season, the Colts finished ahead of New England on a tiebreaker. Those wins came in the first and last weeks of the season, as the Colts lost their other fourteen games consecutively.

The Colts’ defense had one of the worst seasons in NFL history, setting records for points (533) and yards (6,793) allowed. (The yardage record was later surpassed by the 2012 New Orleans Saints, who allowed 7,042.) The Colts gave up more than twice as many points as they scored (259). Conversely, the Patriots, with whom they were tied in the AFC East, only gave up 48 more points than they scored. The Colts’ pass defense surrendered a staggering 8.19 yards-per-dropback, the most surrendered by any team in NFL history.^[1]

The Colts’ -274 point differential (points scored vs. points allowed) is the second-worst since the 1970 merger, second only to the 1976 expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who finished 0–14 (ironically, the next year's Colts team went winless as well).^[2] The 1981 Colts are the first of only two NFL teams since 1940 to suffer eleven losses in a season during which they never had a lead.^[3]^{[note 1]} The Colts allowed 40 points in 4 separate games during the season (including 3 games in a row from weeks 6-8), which is still an NFL record. According to Football Outsiders, they have the worst overall defense and passing defense in their ranking's history.^[4]

The season included a bizarre incident in which, during the Colts’ 38–13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on November 15, team owner Bob Irsay called plays from the coaches’ booth. Quarterback Bert Jones told Sports Illustrated in 1986:

[Irsay] couldn’t have told you how many players there were on the field, never mind what plays we had. All he was trying to do was embarrass the coaches and the players. When he told me to run, I threw. When he told me to throw left, I ran right.^[5]

Offseason

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1981 Baltimore Colts draft
1	12	Randy McMillan	Fullback	Pittsburgh
1	18	Donnell Thompson	Defensive end	North Carolina	from Minnesota
3	68	Randy Van Divier	Tackle	Washington
4	94	Tim Sherwin	Tight end	Boston College
6	149	Bubba Green	Defensive tackle	Penn State
7	178	Obed Ariri	Kicker	Clemson
8	204	Ken Sitton	Defensive back	Oklahoma
8	220	Hosea Taylor	Defensive tackle	Houston
9	233	Tim Gooch	Defensive tackle	Kentucky
10	256	Gregg Gerken	Linebacker	Northern Arizona
10	259	Trent Bryant	Cornerback	Arkansas
11	288	Holden Smith	Wide receiver	North Carolina
12	315	Eric Scoggins	Linebacker	USC
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

Staff

**1981 Baltimore Colts staff**
	Front office President and Treasurer – Robert Irsay General Manager – Dick Szymanski Assistant General Manager – Ernie Accorsi Head coaches Head Coach – Mike McCormack Offensive coaches Offensive Backfield – John Idzik Receivers – Dick Bielski Offensive Line – Ray Wietecha			Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Chuck Weber Defensive Line – Ed Khayat Defensive Backfield – John Symank Special teams coaches Special Teams – George Boutselis

Roster

**1981 Baltimore Colts roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 10 David Humm 7 Bert Jones Running backs (RB) 27 Curtis Dickey 31 Zachary Dixon 23 Don McCauley 32 Randy McMillan FB Wide receivers (WR) 80 Ray Butler 84 Randy Burke 81 Roger Carr 87 Brian DeRoo 85 David Shula 21 Kevin Williams Tight ends (TE) 86 Reese McCall 83 Tim Sherwin		Offensive linemen (OL) 53 Ray Donaldson C 78 Tim Foley T 66 Chris Foote C 69 Wade Griffin T 68 Jeff Hart T 62 Ken Huff G 65 Jimmy Moore G 61 Robert Pratt G 79 Randy Van Divier T Defensive linemen (DL) 91 Bubba Green DT 88 Herb Orvis DT 71 Mike Ozdowski DE 90 Hosea Taylor DE 99 Donnell Thompson DE 92 Daryl Wilkerson DE		Linebackers (LB) 50 Joe Federspiel 57 Dallas Hickman 51 Ricky Jones 55 Barry Krauss MLB 54 Sanders Shiver 52 Ed Smith Defensive backs (DB) 26 Kim Anderson FS 47 Larry Braziel CB 25 Nesby Glasgow CB/FS 42 Derrick Hatchett CB 40 Bruce Laird SS 37 Reggie Pinkney SS Special teams 9 Mike Garrett P 16 Mike Wood K				Reserve 58 Steve Heimkreiter LB (IR) 11 Greg Landry QB (IR) 56 Ed Simonini MLB (IR) 59 Mike Woods OLB (IR) Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	September 6	at New England Patriots	W 29–28	1–0	Schaefer Stadium	49,572
2	September 13	Buffalo Bills	L 3–35	1–1	Memorial Stadium	45,772
3	September 20	at Denver Broncos	L 10–28	1–2	Mile High Stadium	74,804
4	September 27	Miami Dolphins	L 28–31	1–3	Memorial Stadium	41,630
5	October 4	at Buffalo Bills	L 17–23	1–4	Rich Stadium	77,811
6	October 11	Cincinnati Bengals	L 19–41	1–5	Memorial Stadium	33,060
7	October 18	San Diego Chargers	L 14–43	1–6	Memorial Stadium	41,921
8	October 25	at Cleveland Browns	L 28–42	1–7	Cleveland Municipal Stadium	78,986
9	November 1	at Miami Dolphins	L 10–27	1–8	Miami Orange Bowl	46,061
10	November 8	New York Jets	L 14–41	1–9	Memorial Stadium	31,521
11	November 15	at Philadelphia Eagles	L 13–38	1–10	Veterans Stadium	68,618
12	November 22	St. Louis Cardinals	L 24–35	1–11	Memorial Stadium	24,784
13	November 29	at New York Jets	L 0–25	1–12	Shea Stadium	53,593
14	December 6	Dallas Cowboys	L 13–37	1–13	Memorial Stadium	54,871
15	December 13	at Washington Redskins	L 14–38	1–14	RFK Stadium	46,706
16	December 20	New England Patriots	W 23–21	2–14	Memorial Stadium	17,073
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at New England Patriots

Week 1: Baltimore Colts at New England Patriots – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	10	3	3	13	29
Patriots	0	14	0	14	28

at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Date: September 6
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Cloudy, 63 °F (17 °C)
Game attendance: 49,572
Box score

Game information

First quarter

BAL – Mike Wood 48-yard field goal. Colts 3–0.
BAL – Curtis Dickey 19-yard run (Mike Wood kick). Colts 10–0.

Second quarter

NE – Mosi Tatupu 8-yard pass from Andy Johnson (John Smith kick). Colts 10–7.
BAL – Mike Wood 19-yard field goal. Colts 13–7.
NE – Carlos Pennywell 22-yard pass from Steve Grogan (John Smith kick). Patriots 14–13.

Third quarter

BAL – Mike Wood 35-yard field goal. Colts 16–14.

Fourth quarter

BAL – Randy McMillan 35-yard run (kick failed). Colts 22–14.
NE – Don Calhoun 1-yard run (John Smith kick). Colts 22–21.
BAL – Randy McMillan 2-yard run (Mike Wood kick). Colts 29–21.
NE – Don Hasselbeck 4-yard pass from Steve Grogan (John Smith kick). Colts 29–28.

Top passers

BAL – Bert Jones – 12/20, 113 yards
NE – Steve Grogan – 14/27, 261 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

BAL – Randy McMillan – 16 rushes, 146 yards, 2 TD
NE – Tony Collins – 15 rushes, 81 yards

Top receivers

BAL – Roger Carr – 2 receptions, 34 yards
NE – Don Hasselbeck – 6 receptions, 111 yards, TD

Statistics

Statistics	BAL	NE
First downs	21	22
Total yards	346	388
Rushing yards	249	114
Net passing yards	97	274
Sacked–yards	2–16	3–11
Turnovers	1	3
Penalties–yards	10–75	8–84

Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 2: Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Colts – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	7	14	7	7	35
Colts	0	3	0	0	3

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: September 13
Game time: 2:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 78 °F (26 °C)
Game attendance: 45,772
Box score

Game information

First quarter

BUF – Joe Cribbs 33-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 7–0.

Second quarter

BAL – Mike Wood 22-yard field goal. Bills 7–3.
BUF – Jerry Butler 54-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 14–3.
BUF – Mark Brammer 5-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 21–3.

Third quarter

BUF – Buster Barnett 3-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 28–3.

Fourth quarter

BUF – Roland Hooks 5-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 35–3.

Top passers

BUF – Joe Ferguson – 16/28, 261 yards, 4 TD, INT
BAL – Greg Landry – 7/17, 90 yards, INT

Top rushers

BUF – Joe Cribbs – 17 rushes, 66 yards
BAL – Curtis Dickey – 14 rushes, 35 yards

Top receivers

BUF – Frank Lewis – 4 receptions, 82 yards
BAL – Roger Carr – 4 receptions, 50 yards

Statistics

Statistics	BUF	BAL
First downs	26	11
Total yards	430	147
Rushing yards	169	73
Net passing yards	261	74
Sacked–yards	0–0	5–46
Turnovers	3	3
Penalties–yards	9–65	1–5

Week 3: at Denver Broncos

Week 3: Baltimore Colts at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	0	10	0	10
Broncos	0	14	14	0	28

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

Date: September 20
Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT/2:00 p.m. MDT
Game weather: Sunny, 70 °F (21 °C)
Game attendance: 74,804
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays

Second quarter

DEN – Ron Egloff 7-yard pass from Craig Morton (Fred Steinfort kick). Broncos 7–0.
DEN – Steve Watson 29-yard pass from Craig Morton (Fred Steinfort kick). Broncos 14–0.

Third quarter

BAL – Mike Wood 21-yard field goal. Broncos 14–3.
BAL – Curtis Dickey 63-yard run (Mike Wood kick). Broncos 14–10.
DEN – Steve Watson 18-yard pass from Craig Morton (Fred Steinfort kick). Broncos 21–10.
DEN – Steve Watson 48-yard pass from Craig Morton (Fred Steinfort kick). Broncos 28–10.

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays

Top passers

BAL – Bert Jones – 7/19, 65 yards, INT
DEN – Craig Morton – 20/28, 291 yards, 4 TD, 4 INT

Top rushers

BAL – Curtis Dickey – 12 rushes, 115 yards, TD
DEN – Rick Parros – 14 rushes, 65 yards

Top receivers

BAL – Randy McMillan – 4 receptions, 29 yards
DEN – Steve Watson – 7 receptions, 143 yards, 3 TD

Statistics

Statistics	BAL	DEN
First downs	10	27
Total yards	209	442
Rushing yards	161	127
Net passing yards	48	315
Sacked–yards	2–17	3–26
Turnovers	3	4
Penalties–yards	8–63	9–65

Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 4: Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Colts – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins	7	7	7	10	31
Colts	0	7	14	7	28

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: September 27
Game time: 2:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 67 °F (19 °C)
Game attendance: 41,630
Box score

Game information

First quarter

MIA – Tommy Vigorito 31-yard pass from David Woodley (Uwe von Schamann kick). Dolphins 7–0.

Second quarter

MIA – Andra Franklin 10-yard run (Uwe von Schamann kick). Dolphins 14–0.
BAL – Curtis Dickey 32-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Dolphins 14–7.

Third quarter

BAL – Ray Butler 19-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Tied 14–14.
MIA – Nick Giaquinto 14-yard pass from David Woodley (Uwe von Schamann kick). Dolphins 21–14.
BAL – Ray Butler 67-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Tied 21–21.

Fourth quarter

MIA – Andra Franklin 1-yard run (Uwe von Schamann kick). Dolphins 28–21.
BAL – Curtis Dickey 1-yard run (Mike Wood kick). Tied 28–28.
MIA – Uwe von Schamann 27-yard field goal. Dolphins 31–28.

Top passers

MIA – David Woodley – 19/30, 309 yards, 2 TD
BAL – Bert Jones – 20/27, 357 yards, 3 TD, INT

Top rushers

MIA – Andra Franklin – 20 rushes, 76 yards, 2 TD
BAL – Curtis Dickey – 13 rushes, 77 yards, TD

Top receivers

MIA – Duriel Harris – 3 receptions, 73 yards
BAL – Ray Butler – 4 receptions, 145 yards, 2 TD

Statistics

Statistics	MIA	BAL
First downs	22	20
Total yards	428	514
Rushing yards	119	166
Net passing yards	309	348
Sacked–yards	0–0	1–9
Turnovers	0	1
Penalties–yards	4–35	6–52

Week 5: at Buffalo Bills

Week 5: Baltimore Colts at Buffalo Bills – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	3	0	14	17
Bills	14	0	3	6	23

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Date: October 4
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 47 °F (8 °C)
Game attendance: 77,811
Box score

Game information

First quarter

BUF – Jerry Butler 16-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 7–0.
BUF – Roosevelt Leaks 1-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 14–0.

Second quarter

BAL – Mike Wood 32-yard field goal. Bills 14–3.

Third quarter

BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 34-yard field goal. Bills 17–3.

Fourth quarter

BAL – Roger Carr 6-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Bills 17–10.
BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 44-yard field goal. Bills 20–10.
BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 45-yard field goal. Bills 23–10.
BAL – Ray Butler 14-yard pass from Bert Jones (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 23–17.

Top passers

BAL – Bert Jones – 22/36, 275 yards, 2 TD, INT
BUF – Joe Ferguson – 14/29, 148 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

BAL – Curtis Dickey – 10 rushes, 78 yards
BUF – Joe Cribbs – 17 rushes, 159 yards

Top receivers

BAL – Curtis Dickey – 3 receptions, 80 yards
BUF – Jerry Butler – 4 receptions, 73 yards, TD

Statistics

Statistics	BAL	BUF
First downs	23	22
Total yards	378	366
Rushing yards	133	229
Net passing yards	245	137
Sacked–yards	4–30	1–11
Turnovers	2	1
Penalties–yards	10–55	7–49

Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 6: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Colts – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	3	14	7	17	41
Colts	0	5	0	14	19

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: October 11
Game time: 2:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Mostly sunny, 53 °F (12 °C)
Game attendance: 33,060
Referee: Fred Wyant
TV: NBC
Box score

Game information

First quarter

CIN – Jim Breech 38-yard field goal. Bengals 3–0.

Second quarter

BAL – Pat McInally punt blocked out of end zone. Bengals 3–2.
BAL – Mike Wood 19-yard field goal. Colts 5–3.
CIN – Cris Collinsworth 18-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Jim Breech kick). Bengals 10–5.
CIN – David Verser 20-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Jim Breech kick). Bengals 17–5.

Third quarter

CIN – Dan Ross 2-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Jim Breech kick). Bengals 24–5.

Fourth quarter

BAL – Cleveland Franklin 1-yard run (Mike Wood kick). Bengals 24–12.
CIN – Jim Breech 24-yard field goal. Bengals 27–12.
CIN – Pete Johnson 1-yard run (Jim Breech kick). Bengals 34–12.
BAL – Reese McCall 65-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Bengals 34–19.
CIN – Jimmy Hargrove 1-yard run (Jim Breech kick). Bengals 41–19.

Top passer

CIN – Ken Anderson – 21/27, 257 yards, 3 TD
BAL – Bert Jones – 22/30, 310 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

CIN – Pete Johnson – 20 rushes, 75 yards, TD
BAL – Zachary Dixon – 6 rushes, 23 yards

Top receivers

CIN – Dan Ross – 7 receptions, 106 yards, TD
BAL – Curtis Dickey – 11 receptions, 88 yards

Statistics

Statistics	CIN	BAL
First downs	24	22
Total yards	378	350
Rushing yards	121	56
Net passing yards	257	294
Sacked–yards	0–0	4–42
Turnovers	0	4
Penalties–yards	5–54	6–51

Week 7: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 7: San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Colts – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	7	16	7	13	43
Colts	7	0	7	0	14

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: October 18
Game time: 2:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Cloudy, 53 °F (12 °C)
Game attendance: 41,921
Referee: Bob McElwee
TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone and Gene Washington
Box score

Game information

BAL – Roger Carr 29-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Colts 7–0.
SD – Chuck Muncie 3-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick). Tied 7–7.

Second quarter

SD – John Cappelletti 12-yard pass from Dan Fouts (kick field). Chargers 13–7.
SD – Charlie Joiner 23-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick). Chargers 20–7.
SD – Rolf Benirschke 30-yard field goal. Chargers 23–7.

Third quarter

SD – Chuck Muncie 3-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick). Chargers 30–7.
BAL – Curtis Dickey 5-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Chargers 30–14.

Fourth quarter

SD – John Cappelletti 1-yard run (kick failed). Chargers 36–14.
SD – Clarence Williams 7-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick). Chargers 43–14.

Top passers

SD – Dan Fouts – 26/43, 298 yards, 3 TD
BAL – Bert Jones – 20/37, 255 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

SD – James Brooks – 14 rushes, 72 yards
BAL – Curtis Dickey – 6 rushes, 32 yards

Top receivers

SD – Charlie Joiner – 6 receptions, 82 yards, TD
BAL – Roger Carr – 3 receptions, 63 yards, TD

Statistics

Statistics	SD	BAL
First downs	30	18
Total yards	470	264
Rushing yards	172	68
Net passing yards	298	196
Sacked–yards	0–0	6–59
Turnovers	1	3
Penalties–yards	6–30	5–45

Week 8: at Cleveland Browns

Week 8: Baltimore Colts at Cleveland Browns – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	7	14	7	28
Browns	7	21	7	7	42

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Date: October 25
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C)
Game attendance: 78,986
Box score

Game information

First quarter

CLE – Ozzie Newsome 1-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Matt Bahr kick). Browns 7–0.

Second quarter

CLE – Greg Pruitt 22-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Matt Bahr kick). Browns 14–0.
CLE – Dave Logan 40-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Matt Bahr kick). Browns 21–0.
BAL – Curtis Dickey 3-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Browns 21–7.
CLE – Charles White 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick). Browns 28–7.

Third quarter

BAL – Greg Landry 11-yard fumble return (Mike Wood kick). Browns 28–14.
BAL – Ray Butler 36-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Browns 28–21.
CLE – Ricky Feacher 28-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Matt Bahr kick). Browns 35–21.

Fourth quarter

BAL – Ray Butler 5-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Browns 35–28.
CLE – Mike Pruitt 16-yard run (Matt Bahr kick). Browns 42–28.

Top passers

BAL – Bert Jones – 17/37, 249 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
CLE – Brian Sipe – 30/41, 444 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

BAL – Randy McMillan – 14 rushes, 57 yards
CLE – Mike Pruitt – 16 rushes, 87 yards, TD

Top receivers

BAL – Roger Carr – 3 receptions, 58 yards
CLE – Greg Pruitt – 9 receptions, 104 yards, TD

Statistics

Statistics	BAL	CLE
First downs	18	30
Total yards	357	562
Rushing yards	118	131
Net passing yards	239	431
Sacked–yards	2–10	1–13
Turnovers	3	6
Penalties–yards	5–33	6–56

Week 9: at Miami Dolphins

Week 9: Baltimore Colts at Miami Dolphins – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	10	0	0	10
Dolphins	7	7	10	3	27

at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

Date: November 1
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Mostly sunny, 78 °F (26 °C)
Game attendance: 46,061
Box score

Statistics

Statistics	BAL	MIA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Net passing yards
Sacked–yards
Turnovers
Penalties–yards

Week 10: vs. New York Jets

Week 10: New York Jets at Baltimore Colts – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	10	14	7	10	41
Colts	7	7	0	0	14

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: November 8
Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Clear, 49 °F (9 °C)
Game attendance: 31,521
Box score

Statistics

Statistics	NYJ	BAL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Net passing yards
Sacked–yards
Turnovers
Penalties–yards

Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 11: Baltimore Colts at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	6	0	0	7	13
Eagles	7	14	10	7	38

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Date: November 15
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 51 °F (11 °C)
Game attendance: 68,618
Box score

Statistics

Statistics	BAL	PHI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Net passing yards
Sacked–yards
Turnovers
Penalties–yards

Week 12: vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Week 12: St. Louis Cardinals at Baltimore Colts – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	14	7	7	7	35
Colts	10	0	7	7	24

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: November 22
Game time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 39 °F (4 °C)
Game attendance: 24,784
Box score

Statistics

Statistics	STL	BAL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Net passing yards
Sacked–yards
Turnovers
Penalties–yards

Week 13: at New York Jets

Week 13: Baltimore Colts at New York Jets – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	0	0	0	0
Jets	7	6	9	3	25

at Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York

Date: November 29
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 42 °F (6 °C)
Game attendance: 53,593
Box score

Game information

First quarter

NJY – Freeman McNeil 30-yard run (Pat Leahy kick). Jets 7–0.

Second quarter

NYJ – Pat Leahy 37-yard field goal. Jets 10–0.
NYJ – Pat Leahy 22-yard field goal. Jets 13–0.

Third quarter

NYJ – Freeman Mcneil 1-yard run (kick failed). Jets 19–0.
NYJ – Pat Leahy 27-yard field goal. Jets 22–0.

Fourth quarter

NYJ – Pat Leahy 27-yard field goal. Jets 25–0.

Top passers

BAL – Bert Jones – 10/24, 142 yards, INT
NYJ – Richard Todd – 16/28, 143 yards

Top rushers

BAL – Zachary Dixon – 12 rushes, 22 yards
NYJ – Freeman McNeil – 24 rushes, 93 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

BAL – Ray Butler – 5 receptions, 88 yards
NYJ – Bobby Jones – 4 receptions, 46 yards

Statistics

Statistics	BAL	NYJ
First downs	11	22
Total yards	152	300
Rushing yards	49	161
Net passing yards	103	139
Sacked–yards	5–39	1–4
Turnovers	1	0
Penalties–yards	9–82	6–40

Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 14: Dallas Cowboys at Baltimore Colts – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	17	10	0	10	37
Colts	6	0	7	0	13

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: December 6
Game time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Cold, 39 °F (4 °C), wind chill 29 °F (−2 °C)
Game attendance: 54,871
Referee: Ben Dreith
TV announcers (CBS): Jim Kelly and John Dockery
Box score

Statistics

Statistics	DAL	BAL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Net passing yards
Sacked–yards
Turnovers
Penalties–yards

Week 15: at Washington Redskins

Week 15: Baltimore Colts at Washington Redskins – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	7	0	7	0	14
Redskins	7	21	10	0	38

at RFK Stadium, Washington, D. C.

Date: December 13
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Cloudy, 35 °F (2 °C)
Game attendance: 46,706
Box score

Statistics

Statistics	BAL	WAS
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Net passing yards
Sacked–yards
Turnovers
Penalties–yards

Week 16: vs. New England Patriots

Week 16: New England Patriots at Baltimore Colts – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	7	7	0	7	21
Colts	10	7	6	0	23

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: December 20
Game time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Mostly sunny, 21 °F (−6 °C)
Game attendance: 17,073
Referee: Ben Dreith
Box score

Game information

First quarter

BAL – Mike Wood 30-yard field goal. Colts 3–0.
NE – Sam Cunningham 4-yard run (John Smith kick). Patriots 7–3.
BAL – Don McCauley 5-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Colts 10–7.

Second quarter

NE – Don Westbrook 15-yard pass from Tom Owen (John Smith kick). Patriots 14–10.
BAL – Ray Butler 53-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick). Colts 17–14.

Third quarter

BAL – Ray Butler 37-yard pass from Bert Jones (kick failed). Colts 23–14.

Fourth quarter

NE – Don Westbrook 2-yard pass from Matt Cavanaugh (John Smith kick). Colts 23–21.

Top passers

NE – Matt Cavanaugh – 11/16, 145 yards, TD
BAL – Bert Jones – 17/28, 267 yards, 3 TD, INT

Top rushers

NE – Don Calhoun – 9 rushes, 34 yards
BAL – Zachary Dixon – 13 rushes, 52 yards

Top receivers

NE – Harold Jackson – 4 receptions, 71 yards
BAL – Ray Butler – 2 receptions, 90 yards, 2 TD

Statistics

Statistics	NE	BAL
First downs	20	19
Total yards	350	383
Rushing yards	77	128
Net passing yards	273	255
Sacked–yards	1–8	1–12
Turnovers	4	2
Penalties–yards	6–20	6–53

The Colts ended the 1981 season by snapping their 14-game losing streak and swept the Patriots. However, the win would cause the Colts to lose out on the first overall pick in the following draft, which would go the Patriots, and the Colts would secure the second overall pick instead.

Standings

AFC East
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Miami Dolphins⁽²⁾	11	4	1	.719	5–2–1	8–3–1	345	275	W4
New York Jets⁽⁴⁾	10	5	1	.656	6–1–1	8–5–1	355	287	W2
Buffalo Bills⁽⁵⁾	10	6	0	.625	6–2	9–3	311	276	L1
Baltimore Colts	2	14	0	.125	2–6	2–10	259	533	W1
New England Patriots	2	14	0	.125	0–8	2–10	322	370	L9

Records set

Most Points Allowed, Season, 533
Worst Point Differential, 16-game season, -274
Most First-Half Points Allowed, 16-game season, 307^[6]
Most Touchdowns Allowed, Season, 68
Most First Downs Allowed Season, 406
Fewest Punt Returns, Season, 12

^[7]

Notes

^ The other team to never lead in eleven losses is the 1990 New England Patriots.

References

^ "Ryan Kalil ad: Carolina D not up to the task". www.coldhardfootballfacts.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2012.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1970 to 2011, in the regular season, sorted by ascending Points Differential
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, team never had a lead during the game, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.
^ "1981 DVOA: 49ers Finally Win It All, but Eagles Rule DVOA | Football Outsiders". www.footballoutsiders.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022.
^ Wilson, Phillip B., 100 Things Colts Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die 17 (2013). Retrieved December 11, 2014.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1978 to 2012, in the Regular Season, sorted by descending Opp First Half score.
^ The '81 Colts held the record for most total yards allowed in a 16-game season—6,793—until it was broken by the 2012 New Orleans Saints (7,042).

[4] The other team to never lead in eleven losses is the 1990 New England Patriots.

[1] "Ryan Kalil ad: Carolina D not up to the task". www.coldhardfootballfacts.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2012.

[2] Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1970 to 2011, in the regular season, sorted by ascending Points Differential

[3] Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, team never had a lead during the game, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.

[5] "1981 DVOA: 49ers Finally Win It All, but Eagles Rule DVOA | Football Outsiders". www.footballoutsiders.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022.

[6] Wilson, Phillip B., 100 Things Colts Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die 17 (2013). Retrieved December 11, 2014.

[7] Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1978 to 2012, in the Regular Season, sorted by descending Opp First Half score.

[8] The '81 Colts held the record for most total yards allowed in a 16-game season—6,793—until it was broken by the 2012 New Orleans Saints (7,042).

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v t e Indianapolis Colts
Founded in 1953 Played in Baltimore (1953–1983) Based and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana
Franchise	History in Baltimore relocation to Indianapolis All-time roster Quarterbacks Coaches Seasons Draft First-round draft picks Ring of Honor
Stadiums	Memorial Stadium RCA Dome Lucas Oil Stadium
Culture	Carroll Rosenbloom Robert Irsay Jim Irsay 12th Man AAFC Colts Baltimore Colts Marching Band Blue Cheerleaders Elway to Marino Parks and Recreation
Lore	Dayton Triangles The Greatest Game Ever Played 1970 AFC Championship Game Ghost to the Post Move to Indianapolis Immaculate Deflection Immaculate Redemption/The Tackle Deflategate Colts Catastrophe Snowvertime Minneapolis Miracle II
Rivalries	Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars New England Patriots Brady–Manning rivalry Tennessee Titans
Division championships (16)	1968 1970 1975 1976 1977 1987 1999 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2013 2014
Conference championships (7)	1958 1959 1964 1968 1970 2006 2009
League championships (5)	1958 1959 1968 1970 (V) 2006 (XLI)
Retired numbers	18 19 22 24 70 77 82 89
Media	Broadcasters WFNI-AM Bob Lamey Jim Sorgi
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League Conference: American Football Conference Division: South Division
Category

v t e Indianapolis Colts seasons
Played in Baltimore (1953–1983)
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Bold indicates NFL Championship (1920–65) or Super Bowl (1966–present) victory Italics indicates NFL Championship (1920–65) or Super Bowl (1966–present) appearance

Offseason

NFL draft

Personnel

Staff

Roster

Regular season

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: at New England Patriots

Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 3: at Denver Broncos

Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 5: at Buffalo Bills

Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 7: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 8: at Cleveland Browns

Week 9: at Miami Dolphins

Week 10: vs. New York Jets

Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 12: vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Week 13: at New York Jets

Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 15: at Washington Redskins

Week 16: vs. New England Patriots

Standings

Records set

See also

Notes

References