Main menu Navigation ●Main page ●Contents ●Current events ●Random article ●About Wikipedia ●Contact us ●Donate Contribute ●Help ●Learn to edit ●Community portal ●Recent changes ●Upload file

●Create account ●Log in ●Create account ● Log in Pages for logged out editors learn more ●Contributions ●Talk

(Top) 1 Roster 2 Preseason 3 Regular season 3.1 Schedule 4 Standings 5 References 6 See also

1961 Baltimore Colts season

●Italiano Edit links ●Article ●Talk ●Read ●Edit ●View history Tools Actions ●Read ●Edit ●View history General ●What links here ●Related changes ●Upload file ●Special pages ●Permanent link ●Page information ●Cite this page ●Get shortened URL ●Download QR code ●Wikidata item Print/export ●Download as PDF ●Printable version Appearance From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1961 Baltimore Colts season was the ninth for the team in the National Football League. They finished the 1961 season with a record of 8 wins and 6 losses, tied for third in the Western Conference with the Chicago Bears.

Upset by the expansion Minnesota Vikings on November 12, the Colts dipped to 4–5;^[1] they won four of the last five to finish with a winning record.

Roster

[edit]

**1961 Baltimore Colts roster**

	Quarterbacks 14 Lamar McHan 19 Johnny Unitas Running backs 45 Jerry Hill 27 Tom Matte 24 Lenny Moore 34 Joe Perry 32 Mark Smolinski Wide receivers 82 Raymond Berry 25 Alex Hawkins 28 Jimmy Orr Tight ends 85 Dee Mackey 84 Jim Mutscheller		Offensive linemen 77 Jim ParkerT 60 George PreasT 62 Palmer PyleG 52 Dick SzymanskiC Defensive linemen 81 Ordell BraaseDE 70 Art DonovanDT 89 Gino MarchettiDE 83 Billy Ray SmithDT		Linebackers 55 Jackie Burkett 66 Don Shinnick Defensive backs 40 Bobby BoydCB 43 Lenny LylesCB 80 Andy NelsonS 46 Jim WelchS Special teams 65 Steve Myhra G/LB/K		Reserve lists Practice squad Rookies in italics

[edit]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	August 12	vs. Pittsburgh Steelers	L 20–24	0–1	Victory Stadium	15,000
2	August 18	Minnesota Vikings	W 13–3	1–1	Memorial Stadium	10,203
3	August 26	vs. Washington Redskins	W 41–7	2–1	Foreman Field	20,302
4	September 1	vs. Dallas Cowboys	L 24–35	2–2	Oklahoma Memorial Stadium	19,000
5	September 10	vs. New York Giants	W 49–20	3–2	Yale Bowl	50,737

[edit]

Program for the December 3 game against the visiting San Francisco 49ers.

[edit]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	September 17	Los Angeles Rams	W 27–24	1–0	Memorial Stadium	54,259
2	September 24	Detroit Lions	L 15–16	1–1	Memorial Stadium	54,259
3	October 1	Minnesota Vikings	W 34–33	2–1	Memorial Stadium	54,259
4	October 8	atGreen Bay Packers	L 7–45	2–2	Lambeau Field	38,669
5	October 15	atChicago Bears	L 10–24	2–3	Wrigley Field	48,719
6	October 22	atDetroit Lions	W 17–14	3–3	Tiger Stadium	53,016
7	October 29	Chicago Bears	L 20–21	3–4	Memorial Stadium	57,641
8	November 5	Green Bay Packers	W 45–21	4–4	Memorial Stadium	57,641
9	November 12	atMinnesota Vikings	L 20–28	4–5	Metropolitan Stadium	38,010
10	November 19	St. Louis Cardinals	W 16–0	5–5	Memorial Stadium	56,112
11	November 26	atWashington Redskins	W 27–6	6–5	D.C. Stadium	41,062
12	December 3	San Francisco 49ers	W 20–17	7–5	Memorial Stadium	57,641
13	December 9	atLos Angeles Rams	L 17–34	7–6	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	41,268
14	December 16	atSan Francisco 49ers	W 27–24	8–6	Kezar Stadium	45,517
Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.

[edit]

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

[edit]

^ "Vikes jolt Colts with 28-20 kick". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. November 13, 1961. p. 2, part 2.

Postseason lore	"4th and 2" "Beast Quake" "The Comeback" "Double Doink" "Epic in Miami" "Ghost to the Post" "Immaculate Reception" "The Interception" "Philly Special" "Red Right 88" "The Sea of Hands"
Pre-AFL–NFL merger lore	"The Greatest Game Ever Played" "Heidi Game"
Sunday Night Football lore	16–0 "Butt Fumble" "Colts Catastrophe" Brady's first game against the Patriots Final game of the 2021 season
AFC Championship Game	1970 1971 1972 1974 1975 1976 1977 1995 "The Drive" "Freezer Bowl" "The Fumble"

Rivalries

Sunday Night Football

NFL Championship

AFL Championship

Super Bowl

Pre-AFL–NFL merger	I (1966) III (1968)
AFC package carrier (1970–1997)	V (1970) VII (1972) IX (1974) XI (1976) XIII (1978) XV (1980) XVII (1982) XX (1985) XXIII (1988) XXVII (1992) XXVIII (1993) XXX (1995) XXXII (1997)
Sunday Night Football era (2006–present)	XLIII (2008) XLVI (2011) XLIX (2014) LII (2017) LVI (2021) LX (2025)
Halftime shows	V (1970) XX (1985) XXIII (1988) XXVII (1992) XXX (1995) XLVI (2011) XLIX (2014) LII (2017) LVI (2021)

Pro Bowl

NFL Honors

This article relating to an American football season is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.