Superbowl 5 Review: Summary, Statistics, and More
Baltimore Colts (11-2-1) -2.5, O/U 36 vs. Dallas Cowboys (10-4) +2.5, O/U 36 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, January 17, 1971 Attendance: 79,204 TV: NBC
By Wilson of Predictem.com
Superbowl V was not your clean, well executed football game. It was often referred to as the Stupor Bowl because of all the miscues, mistakes, and turnovers. The game had a record setting 11 turnovers! Baltimore still holds the record for most turnovers by a winning team in a superbowl game. The Colts had 7 turnovers and still managed to win!
This was also the first Super Bowl following the completion of the merger between the AFL and the NFL which resulted in 26 teams to form the official NFL (National Football League). 13 teams represented each division.
The Dallas Cowboys had their share of poor as well. Dallas accumulated 10 penalties for 133 yards which was also a superbowl record. The Cowboys Bubba Smith would not wear his superbowl 5 ring because of the embarrassing play.
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The Colts were destined to be in the superbowl this season as they managed to win a number of close games but they just kept getting the job done. Meanwhile the Cowboys were anything but a superbowl shoe-in as they were actually 5-4 at one point during the year. Dallas also got blown out a number times but they put it together late in the season and fought their way to Miami.
Miami had no idea how this superbowl would go down, thank God for FG kickers to add a little drama!
Game Summary:
The Cowboys scored first on a 14-yard field goal by Mike Clark to take the lead in the opening quarter. Dallas would get on the board again in the 2nd quarter with another Clark kick from 30 yards out to make it 6-0 in favor of the Cowboys.
Johnny Unitas connected with WR John Mackey for a 75-yard touchdown pass but the point after kick failed leaving the score at a 6-6 tie.
Dallas QB Craig Morton hit WR Duane Thomas for a 7-yard TD pass and after a Clark kick the Cowboys headed into the locker room at halftime with a 13-6 lead over the Colts.
The 3rd quarter was not a fan favorite as niether team scored. This was in part due to the blunders and poor play from both squads.
The Colts were down by a TD going into the 4th quarter but then tied the game on a Tom Nowatzke 2-yard run.
The fans would finally get a bit of dramatics with the superbowl tied when the Colts kicker Jim Obrien stole the show by kicking the game winning FG from 32 yards to seal the superbowl victory.
Final Score: Colts 16, Cowboys 13
Point Spread: Colts -2.5, Cowboys +2.5
Over/Under: 36
Game MVP: Chuck Howley (first defensive player to win MVP and first to win on losing team)
Head Coaches: Baltimore Colts: Don McCafferty (Rookie Head Coach) Dallas Cowboys: Tom Landry
National Anthem: Tommy Loy (Trumpeter)
Halftime Show: Southeast Missouri State College with Anita Bryant
30-Second Commercial: $72,000
Behind the Scenes Story:
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley refused to accept the MVP award stating that he would not feel worthy because the team he was on didnt win. He turned down the award. Can amagine even having the opportunity to turn down such a stellar prize? Well, this SB wasnt the most memorable but thats why the play the game folks!
There were a few names on these rosters that many fans might recognize, they included such NFL legends as Dan Reeves, Mike Ditka, and oh yeah, Roger Stabauch who didnt play.