Wikipedia

1950 Baltimore Colts season

The 1950 Baltimore Colts season was their 5th & final season as a professional football franchise, their 4th & final season in Baltimore and their only season in the National Football League.

Program for the October 15 game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.
1950 Baltimore Colts season
Head coachClem Crowe
Home fieldBaltimore Municipal Stadium
Results
Record1–11
Division place13th NFL[1]
Playoff finishDid not qualify

As the "odd" 13th team in the league, the 1950 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 the Chicago Bears, in favor of home-and-away contests against the Washington Redskins, their geographically closest rival.

After falling to defeat seven consecutive times in the preseason, the 1950 Colts matched their previous season's record of 1–11, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year.[2]

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.[3] The 462 points (38.5 points-per-game) the Colts surrendered is the most of any NFL team in the decade of the 1950s.[4] In their Week 6 loss to the Rams, the Colts became one of only three teams in NFL history to surrender 70 or more points in a regular season contest.[5]

Preseason games

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Game Date Opponent Result Venue Attendance Source
0 August 8 Intersquad game Baltimore Memorial Stadium
1 August 13 Pittsburgh Steelers L 27–30 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 26,000 [6]
2 August 19 at Cleveland Browns L 7–34 Nippert Stadium (Cincinnati) 21,500 [7] [8]
3 August 24 Chicago Bears L 17–21 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 17,000 [9]
4 August 30 San Francisco 49ers L 14–27 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 6,000 [10]
5 September 2 at Los Angeles Rams L 21–70 Alamo Stadium (San Antonio) 16,380 [11]
6 September 4 at New York Yanks L 17–42 Fairgrounds Stadium (Shreveport, LA) 22,500 [12]
7 September 10 at Green Bay Packers L 14–16 Wisconsin State Fair Park (Milwaukee) 17,191 [13]

Schedule

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Game
recap 		Sources
1 September 17 Washington Redskins L 14–38 0–1 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 26,267 PFR [14]
2 September 24 Cleveland Browns L 0–31 0–2 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 15,201 PFR [15]
3 October 2 at Chicago Cardinals L 13–55 0–3 Comiskey Park 14,439 PFR [16] [17]
4 Bye
5 October 15 Philadelphia Eagles L 14–24 0–4 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 14,413 PFR [18] [19] [20]
6 October 22 at Los Angeles Rams L 27–70 0–5 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 16,025 PFR [21] [22]
7 October 29 at San Francisco 49ers L 14–17 0–6 Kezar Stadium 14,800 PFR [23] [24]
8 November 5 Green Bay Packers W 41–21 1–6 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 12,981 PFR [25] [26]
9 November 12 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 7–17 1–7 Forbes Field 24,141 PFR [27] [28]
10 November 19 New York Giants L 20–55 1–8 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 14,573 PFR [29] [30] [31]
11 November 26 at Washington Redskins L 28–38 1–9 Griffith Stadium 21,275 PFR [32] [33]
12 December 3 Detroit Lions L 21–45 1–10 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 12,058 PFR
13 December 10 at New York Yanks L 14–51 1–11 Yankee Stadium 6,836 PFR
Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.

Standings

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NFL National Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Los Angeles Rams 9 3 0 .750 9–2 466 309 W1
Chicago Bears 9 3 0 .750 8–2 279 207 W1
New York Yanks 7 5 0 .583 7–4 366 367 W1
Detroit Lions 6 6 0 .500 5–6 321 285 L1
San Francisco 49ers 3 9 0 .250 3–8 213 300 W1
Green Bay Packers 3 9 0 .250 2–9 244 406 L2
Baltimore Colts 1 11 0 .083 1–4 213 462 L5
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.


NFL American Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Cleveland Browns 10 2 0 .833 8–2 310 144 W6
New York Giants 10 2 0 .833 8–2 268 150 W6
Pittsburgh Steelers 6 6 0 .500 5–5 180 195 W1
Philadelphia Eagles 6 6 0 .500 4–6 254 141 L4
Chicago Cardinals 5 7 0 .417 3–6 233 287 L1
Washington Redskins 3 9 0 .250 1–8 232 326 L1
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.


Coaching staff

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Roster

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Baltimores's in-season roster included the following players.[34]

† - 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.

References

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  1. ^ While nominally in the National Conference, the Colts were in fact a "swing team" whose scheduling was different from all other NFL teams.
  2. ^ 1950 Baltimore Colts
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1950 to 1959, in the Regular Season, sorted by descending Points Allowed.
  5. ^ In a single game, from 1940 to 2012, in the Regular Season, requiring Points Allowed >= 60, sorted by descending Points Allowed. The 1966 Giants surrendered 72 against Washington.
  6. ^ "Steelers Top Colts, 30–27: Geri's Goal Wins, Bobby Gage Stars," Cumberland News, Aug. 14, 1950, p. 7.
  7. ^ "Browns Rout Colts, 34–7; Graham and Groza Star," Dayton Daily News, Aug. 20, 1950, sec. 4, p. 2.
  8. ^ Dick Forbes, "Browns Whip Baltimore by Score of 34–7: 21,500 Fans at Pro Tussle," Cincinnati Enquirer, Aug. 20, 1950, p. 49.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Frank Finch, "Rams Murder Colts, 70–21: Locals, Castigated Before Game, Roar to Ten Teedees," Los Angeles Times, Sept. 3, 1950, pp. 18, 20.
  12. ^ "Yankees Trim Colts, 42 to 17, in Football Exhibition: Toth Tallies 3 Touchdowns for New York," Baltimore Sun, Sept. 5, 1950, pp. 15–16.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Cameron C. Snyder, "Chicago Cards Defeat Colts Eleven by 55–13," Baltimore Sun, Oct. 3, 1950, pp. 17, 21.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ Frank Finch, "Rams 'Coast' to 70–27 Win: Stydahar Uses Every Possible Combination," Los Angeles Times, Oct. 23, 1950, pt. 4, p. 1, 4.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ Gene Ward, "Giants Spot Colts 20 Points Then Pyramid T to 55," New York Daily News, Nov. 20, 1950, p. 64.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ Arthur Edson, "Baugh Leads 'Skins Over Colts, 38–28," Elmira Advertiser, Nov. 27, 1950, p. 6.
  34. ^ Baltimore Colts vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, October 15th, Memorial Stadium. Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Colts Football Club, Inc., 1950; pp. 10–12.
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