It was fifty years ago today- Sunday December 29, 1968 the Baltimore Colts visited the Cleveland Browns for the NFL Championship game and the right to represent the NFL in Super Bowl III. It wasn’t much of a game at all with the Colts who had been the NFL’s best team during the regular season going 13-1- destroying the Browns by the score of 34-0. The Browns had been the only team to beat the Colts in the regular season but the Colts got their revenge on this day. After a scoreless first quarter the Colts scored 17 points in the second quarter- scoring two touchdowns on runs by Tom Matte- Matte would add another touchdown in the third quarter. The Colts were led by head coach Don Shula and reserve quarterback Earl Morrall who that season filled in for the injured Johnny Unitas- and was the NFL MVP that season. The Colts would advance to Super Bowl III where they would face the winner of the AFL Championship Game- Oakland or NY Jets- at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
slicethelife 
Would Earl Morrall be considered one of the best backup quarterbacks? Colts and then the Dolphins…that I know about.
I would say he’s the greatest back up ever- took two teams to Super Bowls- when their starter went down- and Unitas and Griese both in the HOF>> and of course the Steelers had Morrall back in the 50’s- another one they let get away before Chuck Noll came to town. .off the top of my head- Don Strock and Steve Deberg outstanding back ups and of course the Eagles QB now
I remember Strock really well.
Morrall took over the Dolphins in the undefeated season I believe… I didn’t know he won a chapionship with the Colts til I read it a few minutes ago. I knew he was in the upset lost against the Jets but didn’t know about beating the Cowboys.
Morrall replaced the injured Unitas and was MVP that season- what were the odds on that?
Thanks for giving me a dose of Don Shula on this sad day for the Miami Dolphins. Black Monday will begin their blowup.
Dolphins since Shula/ Marino can’t keep a coach or a quarterback it seems.