| 1965 Baltimore Colts season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Carroll Rosenbloom |
| General manager | Don "Red" Kellett |
| Head coach | Don Shula |
| Home field | Memorial Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–3–1 |
| Division place | T-1st NFL Western (playoff) |
| Playoff finish | Lost Western Conference Playoff (at Packers) 10–13 Won NFL Playoff Bowl (vs. Cowboys) 35–3 |
The 1965 Baltimore Colts season was the 13th season for the team in the National Football League. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1965 season with a record of 10 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie, which tied for first in the Western Conference with the Green Bay Packers. No tie-breaking system was in place, and a playoff game was required to determine the Western Conference champion, who would host the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Browns for the NFL title.
The Colts were victims of the alleged Sports Illustrated cover jinx after linebacker Dennis Gaubatz was featured in late November. According to the article on the team's defense, the 9–1 Colts would soon clinch the Western title.[1] But the team was beset with numerous obstacles from that point on, not the least of which were serious injuries to both of their quarterbacks, future Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas and back-up Gary Cuozzo.
After it was ruled that veteran free agent Ed Brown had been acquired too late for inclusion on the postseason roster, halfback Tom Matte (who had played quarterback at Ohio State for Woody Hayes) was pressed into service behind center. Yet the Colts were a remarkably resilient bunch, and if not for a blown call in the playoff game, they would have advanced to the league championship game, which they would have hosted at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.
- ^ Maule, Tex (November 29, 1965). "Heroes without headlines". Sports Illustrated. p. 30.