1970 Divisional Playoff vs Browns

Lore & Background

The narrative of the game is one of total dominance by the Colts' offense against a Browns defense that had rarely been held scoreless in their history. Unitas, often criticized for his age and perceived decline, silenced all doubters with a masterclass performance. He orchestrated the scoring drives with surgical precision, exploiting the secondary and finding receivers like Raymond Berry's successors in open space. The shutout was particularly stinging for Cleveland, as it highlighted the Colts' evolution from a run-heavy team to a balanced powerhouse capable of controlling any game.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Memorial Stadium bit cold, carrying the scent of popcorn and damp wool coats. On the field, Johnny Unitas stood in the pocket, his jersey number 19 stark against the gray sky. He scanned the defense, his eyes locking onto a sliver of daylight downfield. With a flick of his wrist that had defined a decade, he launched the ball. It spiraled perfectly, cutting through the wind to land in waiting arms for another touchdown. In that moment, the history books were being rewritten, not with a whimper, but with a resounding shutout.

Reader's Guide

The occasion was the AFC Divisional Playoff on December 26, 1970, where the Baltimore Colts hosted the Cleveland Browns at Memorial Stadium. The game is remembered for its lopsided nature and the historic significance of it being the final playoff contest played by the franchise in Baltimore before their move to Indianapolis. What happened was a complete offensive dismantling of the Browns. Johnny Unitas led the Colts to a 34-0 victory, throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for one himself. The Colts' defense held Cleveland's offense scoreless, stifling their running game and forcing turnovers that kept the momentum firmly in Baltimore's favor throughout all four quarters. It is remembered today as 'The Last Dance' of the Baltimore era. While the team would eventually move north to Indianapolis later that year, this victory sent them to Super Bowl V. The shutout performance by Unitas served as a perfect capstone to his tenure in Baltimore, proving he could still lead when it mattered most before the franchise began its new chapter.

Did You Know?

• The Colts played a playoff game in Baltimore on December 26, 1971 (a divisional playoff vs. Cleveland), but they lost that game. Their only home playoff game in 1972 was on December 24, a loss to the Dolphins.
• The 34-0 scoreline marked one of the most dominant performances in Colts playoff history.
• This victory propelled the Colts to Super Bowl V, where they would face the Dallas Cowboys.