National Football League team season
The1950 Baltimore Colts season was their 5th & final season as a professional football franchise, their 4th & final season inBaltimore and their only season in theNational Football League .
As the "odd" 13th team in the league, the1950 Baltimore Colts did not play home-and-away games with all their conference rivals, as did the rest of the league, but rather played one game each against the entire league — with the exception they did not play theChicago Bears , in favor of home-and-away contests against theWashington Redskins , their geographically closest rival. This change allowed the two Chicago teams to continue to develop their own local rivalry with similar home-and-away games.[ 2]
After falling to defeat seven consecutive times in the preseason, the 1950 Colts matched theirprevious season's record of 1–11, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year.[ 3]
The 1950 Colts hold the dubious distinction of being the only team in NFL history to allow more than 50 points in four different games in a single season.[ 4] [ 5] Rams , the Colts became one of only three teams in NFL history to surrender 70 or more points in a regular season contest.[ 6]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources 1 September 17 Washington Redskins L 14–380–1 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 26,267 Recap [ 15] [ 16] 2 September 24 Cleveland Browns L 0–310–2 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 15,201 Recap [ 17] 3 October 2 atChicago Cardinals L 13–550–3 Comiskey Park 14,439 Recap [ 18] [ 19] 4 Bye 5 October 15 Philadelphia Eagles L 14–240–4 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 14,413 Recap [ 20] [ 21] [ 22] 6 October 22 atLos Angeles Rams L 27–700–5 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 16,025 Recap [ 23] [ 24] 7 October 29 atSan Francisco 49ers L 14–170–6 Kezar Stadium 14,800 Recap [ 25] [ 26] 8 November 5 Green Bay Packers W 41–211–6 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 12,981 Recap [ 27] [ 28] 9 November 12 atPittsburgh Steelers L 7–171–7 Forbes Field 24,141 Recap [ 29] [ 30] 10 November 19 New York Giants L 20–551–8 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 14,573 Recap [ 31] [ 32] [ 33] 11 November 26 atWashington Redskins L 28–381–9 Griffith Stadium 21,275 Recap [ 34] [ 35] 12 December 3 Detroit Lions L 21–451–10 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 12,058 Recap 13 December 10 atNew York Yanks L 14–511–11 Yankee Stadium 6,836 Recap Note: Intra-conference opponents are inbold text.
Program for the October 15 game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
Baltimores's in-season roster included the following players.[ 36]
Centers
Guards
Tackles
Ends
Quarterbacks
Fullbacks
Halfbacks
† - Denotes starter Baltimore Memorial Stadium with its faintly chalked lines over a dirt baseball infield — a far cry from a modern NFL stadium. Opening day, 1950. The crowd of 26,267 would be the largest of the year for the money-losing first Colts franchise. ^ While nominally in theNational Conference , the Colts were in fact a "swing team" whose scheduling was different from all other NFL teams. ^ Walter Collier (ed.), "Browns, Colts, 49ers Join NFL," inRedskins 1950: Official Press, Radio, and Television Guide. Washington, DC: Pro Football Inc., 1950, p. 5. ^ 1950 Baltimore Colts ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the NFL, in the regular season, requiring Points Allowed >= 50, sorted by most games in season matching criteria. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1950 to 1959, in the Regular Season, sorted by descending Points Allowed. ^ In a single game, from 1940 to 2012, in the Regular Season, requiring Points Allowed >= 60, sorted by descending Points Allowed. The1966 Giants surrendered 72 againstWashington .^ "Steelers Top Colts, 30–27: Geri's Goal Wins, Bobby Gage Stars," Cumberland News, Aug. 14, 1950, p. 7.^ "Browns Rout Colts, 34–7; Graham and Groza Star," Dayton Daily News, Aug. 20, 1950, sec. 4, p. 2.^ Dick Forbes,"Browns Whip Baltimore by Score of 34–7: 21,500 Fans at Pro Tussle," Cincinnati Enquirer, Aug. 20, 1950, p. 49. ^ Cameron C. Snyder,"Lujack Leads Chicago Bears to 21–17 Victory Over Colts: Passes to Kavanaugh for Winning Score in Games Fading Minutes," Baltimore Sun, Aug. 25, 1950, p. 15. ^ Cameron C. Snyder,"Forty-Niners Rally to Beat Colts, 27–14, at Stadium: Victors Tally Two Touchdowns in Last Half," Baltimore Sun, Aug. 31, 1950, pp. 19–20. ^ Frank Finch,"Rams Murder Colts, 70–21: Locals, Castigated Before Game, Roar to Ten Teedees," Los Angeles Times, Sept. 3, 1950, pp. 18, 20. ^ "Yankees Trim Colts, 42 to 17, in Football Exhibition: Toth Tallies 3 Touchdowns for New York," Baltimore Sun, Sept. 5, 1950, pp. 15–16.^ "Packers Edge Spirited Colts, 16–14; Detroit Next: Ted's FG Difference; Rote Passes Bring TDs," Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 11, 1950, p. 17.^ Cameron C. Snyder,"Washington Eleven Wins Over Colts, 38–14, in Opener: Taylor's Pass Catching Paces Redskin Attack," Baltimore Sun, Sept. 18, 1950, pp. 15,18 . ^ Lewis F. Atchison,"Victory Raises Hope Redskins Will Take Giant-Killer Role," Washington Evening Star, Sept. 18, 1950, p. 21. ^ Cameron C. Snyder,"Graham Leads Cleveland to 31–0 Victory Over Colts: Sends Visitors Ahead Early As Passes Click Seven Times Straight," Baltimore Sun, Sept. 25, 1950, p. 13. ^ Cameron C. Snyder,"Chicago Cards Defeat Colts Eleven by 55–13," Baltimore Sun, Oct. 3, 1950, pp. 17,21 . ^ Harry Warren,"Cards, Hardy's Passes Rout Colts, 55–13: Jim Pitches for 6 Scores, Five to Shaw," Chicago Tribune, Oct. 3, 1950, pt. 3, pp. 1,4 . ^ Cameron C. Snyder,"Philadelphia Eleven Defeats Colts by 24-to-14 Score: Eagles Prevent Upset by Scoring Ten Points in Final-Quarter Rally," Baltimore Sun, Oct. 16, 1950, pp. 13,15 . ^ Frank O'Gara,"Eagles Defeat Colts in Last 6 Minutes, 24–14: Ledbetter Gets TD, Patton Field Goal; Parmer, Ziegler, and Craft Injured," Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 16, 1950, pp. 27–28 . ^ Allen C. Hoffman,"Eagles Soar by Colts, 24–14, After Early-Period Scare: Champs Held to Tie for Three Quarters," Scranton Tribune, Oct. 16, 1950, p. 16. ^ Frank Finch,"Rams 'Coast' to 70–27 Win: Stydahar Uses Every Possible Combination," Los Angeles Times, Oct. 23, 1950, pt. 4, p. 1,4 . ^ James Ellis,"Los Angeles Rams Triumph Over Colts by 70 to 27: High-Scoring Contest Sets Two Records," Baltimore Sun, Oct. 23, 1950, pp. 13–14 . ^ Harry Borba,"49ers Nudge Colts in Stretch, 17–14: SF Reels at Finish: Gun Stops Losers After Locals Rally," San Francisco Examiner, Oct. 30, 1950, pp. 32,34 . ^ James Ellis,"San Francisco Forty-Niners Beat Colts by 17–14 Score: Tittle's Work Enables Baltimore Eleven to Threaten Until Finish," Baltimore Sun, Oct. 30, 1950, pp. 13-14 . ^ Cameron C. Snyder,"Colts Defeat Green Bay, 41 to 21, For First Victory: Winners Get 27 Points in Closing Quarter as Spavital Paces Attack," Baltimore Sun, Nov. 6, 1950, pp. 15-16 . ^ Art Daley,"Colts Splurge in Fourth Frame to Stop Packers, 41–21: Three Pass Interceptions Overcome Bays' 21–20 Edge," Green Bay Press-Gazette, Nov. 6, 1950, pp. 17–18 . ^ Jim Holton,"Steeler Gridders Corral Colts, 17–7: Pittsburgh, Behind Geri, Scores All 17 Points in First Half," Oil City Derrick, Nov. 13, 1950, p. 10. ^ Cameron C. Snyder,"Pittsburgh Eleven Scores 17–7 Triumph Over Colts: Steelers Gain 17-to-0 Lead in Opening Half," Baltimore Sun, Nov. 13, 1950, pp. 13–14 . ^ Cameron C. Snyder,"Giants Rally in Last Half to Down Colts by 55 to 20: New York Team Scores 48 Points in Final Two Periods of Game," Baltimore Sun, Nov. 20, 1950, pp. 15–16 . ^ Gene Ward,"Giants Spot Colts 20 Points Then Pyramid T to 55," New York Daily News, Nov. 20, 1950, p. 64. ^ Harold C. Burr,"Giants Open Attack Again: Roll Up Second Highest Score in History at Colts' Expense," Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Nov. 20, 1950, p. 22. ^ Cameron C. Snyder,"Washington Defeats Colts, 38–28, on Baugh's Passing: Veteran Back's Work Helps Redskins Take Lead in Second Period," Baltimore Sun, Nov. 27, 1950, pp. 13,15 . ^ Arthur Edson,"Baugh Leads 'Skins Over Colts, 38–28," Elmira Advertiser, Nov. 27, 1950, p. 6. ^ Baltimore Colts vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, October 15th, Memorial Stadium. Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Colts Football Club, Inc., 1950; pp. 10–12.
Baltimore Colts
The franchise Stadia Owner Head coaches Seasons Lore
