22nd season in franchise history
The 1974 Baltimore Colts season was the 22nd season for the team in the National Football League . The Colts finished with a record of 2 wins and 12 losses, fifth in the AFC East .
Second-year head coach Howard Schnellenberger was fired after three games,[1] after an argument with owner Robert Irsay over whether Marty Domres or Bert Jones should start at quarterback for the Colts.[2]
General manager Joe Thomas took over the head coaching duties for the remainders of the season, but could direct the team to only two wins, both on the road, as the Colts failed to win a home game during the 1974 season. This would be the last time the Colts would fail to win a home game in a non-strike season until their abysmal 1–15 1991 season , when the team was based in Indianapolis .
Offseason
NFL Draft
Staff
1974 Baltimore Colts staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Final roster
1974 Baltimore Colts roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
Regular season
All-Pro linebacker Ted Hendricks signed a future contract with the World Football League , and was then traded by the Colts to the Green Bay Packers by general manager Joe Thomas . (Hendricks never ended up playing for the bankrupt WFL, and made four more Pro Bowls in his career.)
Schedule
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
Game Recap
1
September 15
at Pittsburgh Steelers
L 0–30
0–1
Three Rivers Stadium
48,890
Recap
2
September 22
Green Bay Packers
L 13–20
0–2
Memorial Stadium
41,252
Recap
3
September 29
at Philadelphia Eagles
L 10–30
0–3
Veterans Stadium
64,205
Recap
4
October 6
at New England Patriots
L 3–42
0–4
Schaefer Stadium
59,502
Recap
5
October 13
Buffalo Bills
L 14–27
0–5
Memorial Stadium
40,626
Recap
6
October 20
at New York Jets
W 35–20
1–5
Shea Stadium
51,745
Recap
7
October 27
at Miami Dolphins
L 7–17
1–6
Orange Bowl
65,868
Recap
8
November 3
Cincinnati Bengals
L 14–24
1–7
Memorial Stadium
36,110
Recap
9
November 10
Denver Broncos
L 6–17
1–8
Memorial Stadium
33,244
Recap
10
November 17
at Atlanta Falcons
W 17–7
2–8
Atlanta Stadium
41,278
Recap
11
November 24
New England Patriots
L 17–27
2–9
Memorial Stadium
34,782
Recap
12
December 1
at Buffalo Bills
L 0–6
2–10
Rich Stadium
75,325
Recap
13
December 8
Miami Dolphins
L 16–17
2–11
Memorial Stadium
34,420
Recap
14
December 15
New York Jets
L 38–45
2–12
Memorial Stadium
31,651
Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Source: [3]
Season summary
Week 2 vs Packers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – MacArthur Lane 1-yard run (Chester Marcol kick). Packers 10–3. Drive:
GB – Chester Marcol 39-yard field goal. Packers 13–3. Drive:
BAL – Toni Linhart 23-yard field goal. Packers 13–6. Drive:
Third quarter
GB – MacArthur Lane 13-yard run (Chester Marcol kick). Packers 20–6. Drive:
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
GB – Jon Staggers – 3 receptions, 52 yards
BAL – Lydell Mitchell – 5 receptions, 47 yards
References
^ "Schnellenberger the last to know" . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon). Associated Press. September 30, 1974. p. 1C.
^ Neft, David S.; Cohen, Richard M.; and Korch, Rich The Sports Encyclopedia: Pro Football, 12th Edition , p. 270, Martin's Press, August 1994, ISBN 0-312-11073-1
^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book , Workman Publishing Co, New York, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2 , p. 296
See also
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (16) Conference championships (7) League championships (5) Retired numbers Media Current league affiliations
Played in Baltimore (1953–1983)