Throwback Game of the Week - Patriots at Colts

 Dec. 18, 1977 – Colts 30, Patriots 24 (Baltimore)
The Colts rallied from an 18-point deficit thanks to the arm of quarterback Bert Jones to win the AFC Eastern Division title on the last day of the season. Jones had a great season finale by throwing for 340 yards and three TDs. He connected on a number of long bombs including a 78-yard TD strike to tight end Raymond Chester on a 3rd-and-18 in the third quarter.

 Sept. 6, 1981 – Colts 29, Patriots 28 (New England)
The Colts prevailed in this season opener with the help of an incredible pro debut by rookie running back and Baltimore native Randy McMillan. The team’s first round pick carried the ball 16 times for 146 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns. He rushed for 94 yards in the fourth quarter alone.

New England tight end Don Hasselbeck had six catches for 111 yards and 1 TD to lead New England’s attack.

Oct. 29, 1989 – Patriots 23, Colts 20 – OT (Indianapolis)
Patriots kicker Greg Davis nailed three long field goals including a 51-yarder 9:57 into overtime to give his team a win over division rival Colts. The New England offense was led by QB Steve Grogan who finished with 28 of 46 passes for 355 yards. At one point he connected on 13 straight completions and went 20 of 26 for 248 yards in the second half.

Much of Indy’s offense came via six catches for 129 yards and 1 TD by WR Andre Rison.

Sept. 19, 1999 – Patriots 31, Colts 28 (New England)
Patriots rallied from 21 points down and capped the dramatic victory with a 26-yard field goal by kicker Adam Vinatieri with 35 seconds left in the game. QB Drew Bledsoe orchestrated the comeback win by throwing four touchdown passes. New England WR Terry Glenn hauled in seven receptions for 122 yards.

The Colts had built a commanding 28-7 lead due much in part to the offensive trio of QB Peyton Manning, RB Edgerrin James and WR Marvin Harrison. In all, Manning threw three TDs while James rushed for 118 yards and Harrison had 105 yards on 7 catches and 3 TDs (42, 10, and 8).

Hall of Fame Perspective
Mike Haynes, Class of 1997

Cornerback Mike Haynes was the Patriots’ first round pick in 1976 out of Arizona State. He began his NFL career with a sensational rookie season in which he picked off a career-high 8 passes and led the AFC with 608 punt return yards. Haynes split his career between the Patriots (1976-1982) and the Los Angeles Raiders (1983-89). In all, the nine-time Pro Bowler had 46 interceptions.

Eight times, six as a Patriot and twice with the Raiders, Haynes recorded multi-interception games. His first two-interception performance of his NFL career came against the Colts on Nov. 14, 1976. He ended two crucial Colts’ drives picking off passes thrown by Baltimore quarterback Bert Jones.

-Back to top-

The Colts won what is perhaps the most memorable game in the history of the National Football League. The 1958 NFL Championship is known today as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” The game featured 17 future Hall of Famers and marked the first overtime game in NFL playoff history.

The Colts may be glad that former Patriots wide receiver Stanley Morgan is not lining up against them this week. Morgan, who played with the Pats from 1977-1989, is second all-time in touchdowns scored against the Colts with 14 (13 receiving, one on a punt return). Furthermore, Morgan holds the top mark against Colts with most 100-yard receiving games with eight. The Colts adopted the old “if you can’t beat them, join them” approach when they signed Morgan as a free agent for his final season in 1990.

One of the first great stars in Patriots history was the multi-purpose Gino Cappelletti who played as a wide receiver, kicker and defensive back during his 11-year career with the Patriots from 1960 to 1970. A five-time AFL All-Star selection, he was selected as the AFL Most Valuable Player in 1964 and is one of only three players to play in every game in the AFL’s 10-year history. He finished as the league’s all-time leader in points (1,100) and field goals (170).

Hall of Famer Raymond Berry was one of the game’s all-time greatest receivers. He starred for the Colts, who had selected him as a future choice in the 20th round of the 1954 draft, from 1955 to 1967. He retired as the game’s all-time leading receiver with 631 receptions for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdowns. A three-time All-NFL choice and six-time Pro Bowl selection, Berry built a reputation as a hard-working player who meticulously practiced his pass routes. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973.

Following his playing days, Berry embarked on a long coaching career that reached its pinnacle as the head coach of the New England Patriots. He compiled a 51-41-0 record during his six-season tenure as the Pats’ head man. With Berry leading the way, the Patriots made their first ever Super Bowl appearance during the 1985 season.

Patriots - The Patriots were charter members of the AFL in 1960 and played as the Boston Patriots through 1970. Throughout the franchise's existence…More>>>

Colts - The Colts began in Baltimore in 1953 and quickly established themselves as one of the NFL's elite teams. The team claimed NFL titles in 1958, 1959, and 1968. In 1970, the Colts …More>>>

Name, Position, Year of Induction

PATRIOTS
The Patriots have four long-time members inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Nick Buoniconti, LB, 2001
John Hannah, G, 1991
Mike Haynes, CB, 1997
Andre Tippett, LB, 2008

COLTS
The Colts have ten long-time members inducted into the Hall of Fame. In addition, two other Hall of Fame members spent part of his career, albeit brief, with the Colts.

Raymond Berry, WR, 1973
Eric Dickerson, RB, 1999
Art Donovan, DT, 1968
Weeb Ewbank, Coach, 1978
Ted Hendricks, LB, 1990
John Mackey, TE, 1992
Gino Marchetti, DE, 1972
Lenny Moore, RB, 1975
Jim Parker, G/T, 1973
*Joe Perry, RB, 1969
*Don Shula, Coach, 1997
Johnny Unitas, QB, 1979

*Notes that the Hall of Famer spent time with the Colts but made his major contribution to the NFL with another team.

1. Who holds the Patriots record for career rushing touchdowns?
a. Kevin Faulk
b. Curtis Martin
c. Jim Nance
d. Corey Dillon

2. Which Patriots QB has thrown for the most yards in a single game?
a. Tom Brady
b. Drew Bledsoe
c. Steve Grogan
d. Tony Eason

3. Who has the most receiving yards in Patriots history?
a. Ben Coates
b. Stanley Morgan
c. Irving Fryar
d. Terry Glenn

4. Who has the longest punt return in Patriots history?
a. Troy Brown
b. Mike Haynes
c. David Meggett
d. Irving Fryar

5. Which player has played the most games in a Patriots uniform?
a. Willie McGinest
b. John Hannah
c. Mosi Tatupu
d. Bruce Armstrong

1. Who has played the most games in Colts history?
a. Peyton Manning
b. Johnny Unitas
c. Lenny Moore
d. Marvin Harrison

2. Which Colts player holds the team record for most career touchdowns?
a. Lenny Moore
b. Alan Ameche
c. Marshall Faulk
d. Marvin Harrison

3. What defender holds the Colts record for most career interceptions?
a. Jerry Logan
b. Bob Sanders
c. Bobby Boyd
d. Eugene Daniels

4. Who has the most career punt return yardage?
a. Clarence Verdin
b. Troy Walters
c. Terrence Wilkins
d. Raymond Berry

5. Which Colt holds the record for most yards from scrimmage in a single game?
a. Joseph Addai
b. Edgerrin James
c. Anthony Johnson
d. Marshall Faulk

Many mementos from the Patriots and Colts are at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here are two such artifacts enjoyed by visitors to the museum in Canton.

Read the caption under the image below and then take a guess at what you’re looking at. Click on the picture for the full photo and more information on the treasured artifact.