1973 Baltimore Colts season

The 1973 Baltimore Colts season was the 21st season for the team in the National Football League. Under first-year head coach Howard Schnellenberger, the Colts finished with a record of 4 wins and 10 losses, tied for fourth in the AFC East with the New York Jets. The Colts lost the tiebreaker to the New York based on head-to-head series (0–2).

1973 Baltimore Colts season
Head coachHoward Schnellenberger
General managerJoe Thomas
OwnerRobert Irsay
Home fieldMemorial Stadium
Results
Record4–10
Division placeT-4th AFC East
Playoff finishdid not qualify

Baltimore was the only team to lose to the Houston Oilers, bowing 31–27 in week eight at home. The Oilers broke an 18-game losing streak with the victory.

Hired in February, Schnellenberger was previously the offensive coordinator with the Super Bowl champion Miami Dolphins,[1] who went undefeated in 1972 under head coach Don Shula.

This was the first year since 1955 in which long-time quarterback Johnny Unitas was not on the Baltimore roster.

Offseason

NFL Draft
Main article: 1973 NFL Draft
Round Pick Player Position School/Club Team
1 2 Bert Jones Quarterback LSU

Staff/Coaches
1973 Baltimore Colts staff
Front Office

Coaching Staff

Offensive Coaches

 Defensive Coaches

Final roster
1973 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
Main article: 1973 NFL season

Before the season, the Colts traded long-time quarterback Johnny Unitas to the San Diego Chargers. Unitas had been splitting quarterback duties with Earl Morrall and Marty Domres over the past few seasons; he played one season for San Diego and retired.

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Game Site Attendance
1 September 16 at Cleveland Browns L 14–24 0–1 Cleveland Municipal Stadium
74,303
2 September 23 New York Jets L 10–34 0–2 Memorial Stadium
55,942
3 September 30 New Orleans Saints W 14–10 1–2 Memorial Stadium
52,293
4 October 7 at New England Patriots L 16–24 1–3 Schaefer Stadium
57,044
5 October 14 at Buffalo Bills L 13–31 1–4 Rich Stadium
78,875
6 October 21 at Detroit Lions W 29–27 2–4 Tiger Stadium
48,058
7 October 28 Oakland Raiders L 21–34 2–5 Memorial Stadium
59,008
8 November 4 Houston Oilers L 27–31 2–6 Memorial Stadium
52,707
9 November 11 at Miami Dolphins L 0–44 2–7 Orange Bowl
60,332
10 November 18 at Washington Redskins L 14–22 2–8 RFK Stadium
52,675
11 November 25 Buffalo Bills L 17–24 2–9 Memorial Stadium
52,250
12 December 2 at New York Jets L 17–20 2–10 Shea Stadium
51,167
13 December 9 Miami Dolphins W 16–3 3–10 Memorial Stadium
58,446
14 December 16 New England Patriots W 18–13 4–10 Memorial Stadium
52,065

Standings
AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Miami Dolphins 12 2 0 .857 7–1 9–2 343 150 W1
Buffalo Bills 9 5 0 .643 6–2 7–4 259 230 W4
New England Patriots 5 9 0 .357 1–7 3–8 258 300 L2
New York Jets 4 10 0 .286 4–4 4–7 240 306 L2
Baltimore Colts 4 10 0 .286 2–6 2–9 226 341 W2

[2]

References
  1. "Colts wanted a winner, so it got Schnellenberger". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. February 15, 1973. p. 4B.
  2. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 296

See also
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