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1964 NFL Championship Game
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| Date | December 27, 1964 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Stadium | Cleveland Municipal Stadium Cleveland, Ohio | ||||||||||||||||||
| MVP | Gary Collins (Wide Receiver; Cleveland) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Attendance | 79,544 | ||||||||||||||||||
| TV in the United States | |||||||||||||||||||
| Network | CBS | ||||||||||||||||||
| Announcers | Ken Coleman Chuck Thompson Frank Gifford | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nielsen ratings | 28.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Radio in the United States | |||||||||||||||||||
| Network | CBS | ||||||||||||||||||
| Announcers | Jack Drees, Jim Morse | ||||||||||||||||||
The 1964 NFL Championship Game was the 32nd annual championship game, held on December 27 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.[1][2] With an attendance of 79,544,[3][4] it was the first NFL title game to be televised by CBS.
The game marked the last championship won by a major-league professional sports team from Cleveland until 2016, when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Finals. Through 2025, this is the Browns' most recent league title.
Background
[edit]The Baltimore Colts finished the 1964 regular season with a record of 12–2 and handily won the Western Conference for the first time since 1959, clinching the title with three games remaining;[5] the runner-up Green Bay Packers were at 8–5–1. The Colts were led by second-year head coach Don Shula and quarterback Johnny Unitas. This was the Colts' third NFL championship game appearance since joining the National Football League in 1953, seeking to win their first since repeating in 1959.
The Cleveland Browns finished the regular season with a record of 10–3–1,[6] winning the Eastern Conference by a half game over the St. Louis Cardinals at 9–3–2.[7] The Browns were led by second-year head coach Blanton Collier, quarterback Frank Ryan, running back Jim Brown, and receivers Gary Collins and rookie Paul Warfield. This was the Browns' eighth NFL championship game appearance since joining the NFL in 1950, but the first in seven years.
Ticket prices for the championship game were six, eight, and ten dollars,[8] and the Colts were seven-point favorites on the road.[9][10]
Game summary
[edit]The first half went scoreless, as both teams struggled to move the ball with a light snow and driving wind hampering their efforts. Baltimore drove to midfield but lost the ball on a fumble by fullback Jerry Hill. The Browns then moved to the Colt 35 but Paul Warfield slipped going for a Ryan pass and the ball was intercepted by Colt linebacker Don Shinnick. As the second quarter began, Baltimore had moved deep into Browns territory. The Colts attempted a 27-yard field goal by Lou Michaels, but holder Bobby Boyd had to reach for the snap from center and was hauled down behind the line of scrimmage. Near the end of the first half, Unitas got another drive going into Cleveland territory. However, from the Brown 46 he threw slightly behind tight end John Mackey, who could only deflect the pass; it was intercepted by Vince Costello. The scoreless first half ended after Ryan missed on a long pass to Warfield.
Having held their own with Baltimore in the first half, the Browns changed their offensive and defensive tactics. With the wind at his back, Browns' kicker Lou Groza booted the second half kickoff well beyond the end zone. The Cleveland rush put pressure on Unitas and the Colts had to punt into the wind. With good field position at the Colt 48, the Browns got a first down on a screen pass to running back Jim Brown. The Colt defense stiffened and Groza kicked a field goal from the 43. Baltimore could not move and the Browns went on the attack again. From the Cleveland 36, Brown took a pitchout around the left side and nearly went all the way. Safety Jerry Logan finally hauled him down from behind at the Colt 18. Ryan dropped back and fired a pass between the goalposts to the leaping Gary Collins for the game's first touchdown and a 10–0 lead. The momentum had clearly swung to home underdog Cleveland.
Baltimore's Tony Lorick made the bad decision to run the kickoff out of the end zone and was tackled at the Baltimore 11. A clipping penalty moved the Colts back further and they soon had to punt again into the stiff wind. The kick went out of bounds on the Baltimore 39 and Ryan went right back to work. The Browns lost yardage on a broken reverse play, but Ryan dropped back from the 42 and found Collins all alone down the middle at the five; the big flanker waltzed into the end zone and the Browns were up 17–0.
Unitas finally got the Colts across midfield against the aroused Browns defense, but running back Lenny Moore fumbled a handoff at the Cleveland 47 and the Browns recovered. Brown rumbled 23 yards with another pitchout to the Colt 14 as the third quarter ended. Ryan hit Warfield at the one-yard line but the Colts then held. Groza hit a short field goal from a sharp angle to the right to make the score 20–0. Baltimore's troubles continued as Unitas threw deep to Jimmy Orr on the sidelines at the Cleveland 15, but Orr could not get the ball under control before he fell out of bounds, and they had to punt again. The Browns moved to their 49 and Ryan threw deep to Collins. With defensive back Boyd all over him, Collins made the catch at the Colt 10, kept his balance, and scored for the third time.[3] As the fourth quarter wound down and with the Browns on the move again, the game was halted with 27 seconds remaining, as thousands of fans surged onto the field.[11]
The Browns dominated the statistics over the favored Colts. Unitas completed 12 of 20 passes for only 95 yards with two interceptions. The Colts managed only 92 yards rushing. Ryan hit on 11 of 18 tosses for 206 yards and three TDs. The Browns' Collins set a title game record with three touchdown catches in one game, and grabbed five passes for 130 yards total. Groza kicked field goals of 42 and 10 yards, and Brown carried the ball 27 times for 114 yards.[12]
Scoring summary
[edit]Sunday, December 27, 1964
Kickoff: 1:35 p.m. EST[9]
- First quarter
- no scoring
- Second quarter
- no scoring
- Third quarter
- CLE – FG Lou Groza 43, 3–0 CLE
- CLE – Gary Collins 18 yard pass from Frank Ryan (Groza kick), 10–0 CLE
- CLE – Collins 42 yard pass from Ryan (Groza kick), 17–0 CLE
- Fourth quarter
- CLE – FG Groza 9, 20–0 CLE
- CLE – Collins 51 yard pass from Ryan (Groza kick), 27–0 CLE
Officials
[edit]
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The NFL had five game officials in 1964; the line judge was added in 1965 and the side judge in 1978.
This was also the last NFL Championship Game televised in black-and-white, as well as the last game in which penalty flags in NFL games were white. The league switched to bright yellow flags the next season.
Players' shares
[edit]The gate receipts for the game were about $635,000 and the television money was $1.9 million.[9][13] Each player on the winning Browns team received about $8,000, while Colts players made around $5,000 each.[14][2][15] This was about triple the amount for the players' shares in the AFL championship game.[16]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Johnson, Chuck (December 28, 1964). "Browns play best game of year, Colts their worst - result: 27-0". Milwaukee Journal. p. 10, part 2.
- ^ a b "Cleveland Browns blank Colts for NFL title". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 28, 1964. p. 7.
- ^ a b "Cleveland wallops Baltimore, 27-0". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). December 28, 1964. p. 1D.
- ^ Maule, Tex (January 4, 1965). "Upset of the mighty". Sports Illustrated. p. 8.
- ^ "Colts jar Rams, 24-7, to clinch Western title". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. November 23, 1964. p. 4, part 2.
- ^ "Browns rout Giants; clinch Eastern title". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 13, 1964. p. 1, sports.
- ^ "Pro football standings". Milwaukee Sentinel. December 14, 1964. p. 5, part 2.
- ^ "Browns taking 'title orders'". Milwaukee Sentinel. UPI. December 14, 1964. p. 6, part 2.
- ^ a b c "Moore, Unitas lead Colts". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. December 27, 1964. p. 4B.
- ^ Taylor, Jim (December 27, 1964). "Colts seven-point favorites". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). p. F1.
- ^ "Browns Upset Colts for N.F.L. Title, 27-0". The Chicago Tribune. December 28, 1964. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "Pro Football Reference". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "Pro football players await big payday from title game". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 22, 1964. p. 14.
- ^ "Each member of NFL champs will get $8,000". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. December 22, 1964. p. 2, part 2.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Facts and figures". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. December 28, 1964. p. 13, part 2.
- ^ "Linebacker key in Buffalo win". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. December 28, 1964. p. 10.
External links
[edit]- Heaton, Chuck (December 27, 1964). "Browns Capture Crown, 27–0". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on September 1, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
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1964 NFL Championship Game
View on GrokipediaBackground
1964 NFL Season Overview
The 1964 NFL season featured 14 teams split evenly between the Eastern and Western Conferences, with each franchise playing a 14-game regular-season schedule. Unlike modern formats, there were no wild card playoff berths; instead, the top team from each conference advanced directly to the NFL Championship Game. This structure emphasized divisional rivalries and consistent performance throughout the season.[8] In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Browns secured first place with a 10-3-1 record, narrowly ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals at 9-3-2, while the rest of the division included the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins at 6-8. The Western Conference saw the Baltimore Colts dominate with a 12-2 mark, outpacing the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, both finishing 8-5-1, in a tightly contested race for the top spots. The Browns' success was bolstered by a robust 5-1-1 home record at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, where they lost only once to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, the Colts' offense, orchestrated by quarterback Johnny Unitas under second-year head coach Don Shula, led the league in scoring with 428 points.[8][9] League-wide developments included significant off-field changes, such as the reinstatement of Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alex Karras by Commissioner Pete Rozelle on March 16, following their 1963 suspensions for gambling on NFL games; both players returned to contribute to their teams' efforts. To enhance player safety, the NFL implemented rule adjustments prohibiting receiving team players from blocking below the waist during kickoffs, marking a step toward reducing injury risks in special teams play. Additionally, CBS secured television rights for the regular season and championship games, reflecting the league's growing media presence. These elements set the stage for the Browns and Colts to meet in the postseason.[10][11][11]Path to the Championship
The Cleveland Browns entered the 1964 season under head coach Blanton Collier and finished with a 10-3-1 record, securing first place in the Eastern Conference.[12] Their campaign featured a balanced attack led by running back Jim Brown, who rushed for 1,446 yards and 7 touchdowns, complemented by quarterback Frank Ryan's 2,404 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes.[12] Key victories included a 28-20 road win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, where the defense held Philadelphia to 20 points despite a late rally, and a 38-24 home triumph against the same Eagles in Week 12, showcasing the Browns' offensive firepower with 38 points scored. A notable tie came in Week 2 against the St. Louis Cardinals, ending 33-33 after a high-scoring affair that highlighted both teams' potent offenses but exposed defensive vulnerabilities early in the season.[13] The Browns' defense proved resilient overall, allowing 293 points across 14 games—ranking fifth in the league—and forcing 40 turnovers, including 19 interceptions, which provided crucial momentum in close contests.[12] In the Eastern Conference race, the Browns clinched the title with their superior win percentage of .769, edging out the St. Louis Cardinals (9-3-2, .750) without needing a playoff; late-season wins, such as a 52-20 rout of the New York Giants in Week 14, solidified their position and built confidence heading into the championship.[8] Meanwhile, the Baltimore Colts, coached by Don Shula, dominated the Western Conference with a 12-2 record, earning their spot as league favorites through a potent passing game orchestrated by quarterback Johnny Unitas.[14] Unitas threw for 2,824 yards and a league-leading 19 touchdowns, guiding the team to an impressive streak of 11 consecutive wins from Weeks 2 through 12 after an opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings.[15] Standout performances included a 52-0 shutout of the Chicago Bears in Week 3, where the Colts amassed 456 total yards and held Chicago scoreless, and narrow victories over the rival Green Bay Packers, 21-20 in Week 2 and 24-21 in Week 6, both reliant on Unitas's clutch throws.[16] The defense anchored the season, allowing just 225 points—the fewest in the NFL—and recording 41 takeaways. A pivotal late-season win came in Week 11, a 24-7 road victory over the Los Angeles Rams that clinched the Western Conference title, as Baltimore controlled the line with 285 total yards and limited the Rams to 7 points.[14][17] A Week 13 loss to the Detroit Lions (31-14) served as a minor setback but did not derail their path. As the Eastern and Western Conference winners, the Browns and Colts advanced directly to the NFL Championship Game on December 27, 1964, with no additional Western Conference playoff required beyond Baltimore's regular-season dominance.[8]Pregame Context
Venue and Conditions
The 1964 NFL Championship Game took place at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 27, 1964.[1] The venue, a multi-purpose outdoor facility on the shore of Lake Erie, featured a natural grass surface that provided a standard playing field for the era, with conventional end zones marked for professional football.[1] Its football configuration accommodated a capacity of approximately 81,000 spectators, reflecting the stadium's expansion and popularity as a host for major events.[18] Official attendance reached 79,544, nearly filling the stadium despite the late-December timing and potential for inclement weather, marking one of the largest crowds for an NFL title game at the time.[2] This turnout was influenced by strong local support for the Cleveland Browns, though the chilly conditions may have deterred some from the highest seats. Pre-game preparations included setup for a halftime performance originally planned with the Florida A&M University Marching Band, but due to high winds, the Cleveland Browns Band took the field instead.[19] Weather conditions were cool and breezy, with a game-time temperature of 34°F, 75% relative humidity, and winds of 15 mph gusting off Lake Erie, resulting in a wind chill around 23°F.[1] Clear skies prevailed, offering better visibility and footing than the snowy, sub-zero playoff games Cleveland had hosted previously, such as the 1950 NFL Championship.[2] These factors created a crisp but playable environment, contrasting with the more severe winter elements that had plagued prior title contests in the city.Officials and Personnel
The officiating crew for the 1964 NFL Championship Game consisted of five officials, as was standard for the league at the time prior to the addition of the line judge position in 1965. Referee Norm Schachter led the group, with umpire Joe Connell, head linesman George Murphy, field judge Mike Lisetski, and back judge Tom Kelleher completing the team.[20] The Cleveland Browns were coached by head coach Blanton Collier in his second season as head coach, following his tenure as an assistant under Paul Brown and a successful stint at the University of Kentucky. Collier's staff included defensive coordinator Howard Brinker and offensive line coach Fritz Heisler, among others who contributed to the Browns' balanced offensive and defensive schemes during the season.[21] For the Baltimore Colts, Don Shula served as head coach in his second season, having led the team to a 12-2 regular-season record; his staff featured defensive line coach Bill Arnsparger, who helped develop the Colts' stout front four, and ends coach Charlie Winner, supporting Shula's innovative defensive strategies.[22][23] The game was televised nationally on CBS—marking the network's first broadcast of an NFL Championship Game—with play-by-play handled by Ken Coleman for the first half and Chuck Thompson for the second half, alongside color commentator Frank Gifford.[24] Radio coverage aired on the NBC Radio Network, featuring Ken Coleman providing commentary for the Browns' audience and local announcers such as Frank Messer for the Colts, capturing the pre-game anticipation surrounding quarterback Johnny Unitas as the confirmed starter despite lingering concerns from a mid-season performance dip.[19]Game Execution
Quarter-by-Quarter Narrative
The 1964 NFL Championship Game opened with a tense, scoreless first quarter at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, where both teams' defenses set the tone amid blustery Lake Erie winds. The Browns received the opening kickoff and mounted an initial drive, advancing to midfield through runs by Ernie Green and Jim Brown before stalling and punting to the Colts' 22-yard line. Baltimore's offense, led by Johnny Unitas, managed short gains but faltered when Jerry Hill fumbled a handoff, which was recovered by Cleveland's Dick Modzelewski at the Browns' 49. The Browns responded with a push to the Colts' 39, but Frank Ryan's deep pass intended for Paul Warfield was intercepted by Baltimore's Don Shinnick near the goal line. The Colts then drove to the Cleveland 41 on a completion to Raymond Berry, but the quarter expired without points, highlighting early defensive stands on both sides.[1] The second quarter continued the defensive struggle, keeping the halftime score at 0-0 as neither team could break through decisively. Baltimore advanced to the Browns' 19-yard line on passes to Berry and Jimmy Orr, but a fumbled snap on a 27-yard field goal attempt by Lou Michaels resulted in holder Bobby Boyd being tackled short of the line. Cleveland countered with a balanced drive featuring runs by Brown and Green to the Colts' 49, only to be set back by a sack from Ordell Braase and a holding penalty, forcing another punt by Gary Collins into the end zone. The Colts reached the Cleveland 46 on additional aerial work, but linebacker Vince Costello intercepted a Unitas pass at the Browns' 29, preserving the stalemate and underscoring Cleveland's opportunistic secondary in a gritty, low-scoring half.[1] A pivotal shift occurred in the third quarter, where the Browns exploded for 17 points to seize control, capitalizing on turnovers and the changing wind direction. After receiving the kickoff, Cleveland drove for a 43-yard field goal by Lou Groza, providing the game's first points and a 3-0 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Colts fullback Tony Lorick fumbled, recovered by Cleveland's Dick Little at the Baltimore 47; this set up a drive featuring a 46-yard sweep by Jim Brown to the Colts' 18, followed by an 18-yard touchdown pass from Ryan to Collins, with Groza's extra point making it 10-0. Momentum surged further when, after the kickoff, Baltimore advanced but Lenny Moore fumbled a handoff, recovered by Paul Wiggin at the Cleveland 47; the Browns then marched 53 yards, capped by a 42-yard touchdown strike from Ryan to Collins, extending the lead to 17-0 after Groza's kick. Baltimore's attempts to respond fizzled amid the Browns' defensive pressure, marking a dominant quarter that transformed the contest.[1][2] The fourth quarter saw Cleveland methodically seal the 27-0 shutout, adding 10 more points while Baltimore's offense remained stifled. The Browns marched to the Colts' 1-yard line but opted for a 10-yard field goal by Groza, pushing the score to 20-0. Despite gaining the wind advantage, Baltimore could not mount a comeback, as their drives ended in punts and turnovers, including an interception by Walter Beach off Unitas. Cleveland's offense responded with a decisive 51-yard touchdown pass from Ryan to Collins, with Groza's kick finalizing the rout at 27-0. No rushing touchdowns materialized, but the aerial attack overwhelmed Baltimore's secondary. Overall, the Browns' offensive dominance—amassing 339 total yards against the league's highest-scoring team—contrasted sharply with the Colts' scoreless effort, delivering the first NFL Championship shutout since the Chicago Bears blanked the Washington Redskins in 1940.[1][25]Key Plays and Statistics
The 1964 NFL Championship Game featured several pivotal plays that underscored the Cleveland Browns' dominance over the Baltimore Colts. In the third quarter, quarterback Frank Ryan connected with wide receiver Gary Collins on an 18-yard touchdown pass after a fumble recovery, breaking a scoreless tie and setting the tone for the Browns' offensive explosion. Later in the same quarter, following Lenny Moore's fumble recovered by Paul Wiggin, Ryan found Collins again for a 42-yard touchdown reception, with Groza's extra point extending the lead to 17-0. Collins capped his record-setting performance with a 51-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, marking the third scoring pass from Ryan to him in the game and solidifying a 27-0 shutout victory. Additionally, Browns kicker Lou Groza contributed with field goals of 43 yards in the third quarter and 10 yards in the fourth, providing crucial points during the lopsided affair.[1][26] Defensive plays were equally decisive, as the Browns capitalized on Baltimore's miscues. The turnovers included two fumbles (by Jerry Hill and Tony Lorick early, and Lenny Moore later) and two interceptions of Unitas by Vince Costello and Walter Beach. The Colts' defense, while limiting Cleveland to modest rushing gains overall, struggled to generate pressure on Ryan, allowing the Browns' passing attack to flourish unchecked.[1][2][26] Team statistics reflected Cleveland's comprehensive control. The Browns amassed 339 total yards, including 206 passing yards on 11-of-18 completions from Ryan (3 touchdowns, 1 interception), and 133 rushing yards led by Jim Brown's 27 carries for 114 yards. They converted 20 first downs and committed just one turnover. In contrast, the Colts managed only 181 total yards, with 95 passing yards on 12-of-20 attempts from Unitas (2 interceptions) and 86 rushing yards, while suffering four turnovers (2 interceptions by Browns defenders Vince Costello and Walter Beach, and 2 fumbles) and earning 11 first downs. The Browns' defense intercepted two passes and recovered both fumbles, stifling Baltimore's high-powered offense that had led the league in scoring during the regular season.[1][27]| Team Statistic | Cleveland Browns | Baltimore Colts |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 27 | 0 |
| Total Yards | 339 | 181 |
| Passing Yards | 206 | 95 |
| Rushing Yards | 133 | 86 |
| First Downs | 20 | 11 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 4 |