Super Bowl power rankings: Miami games from 10-1

MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 12, 1969: Runningback Matt Snell #41 of the New York Jets runs with the ball during Super Bowl III on January 12, 1969 against the Baltimore Colts at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The Jets beat the Colts, 16-7.
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1969 Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images

5. III: New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7

In case it has gone unnoticed, the Colts have made a habit of playing Super Bowls in South Florida. All four the franchise’s appearances have occurred in this area. Of course, their first Super Sunday appearance is best known for what they didn’t do. Led by head coach Don Shula, the then-Baltimore Colts went 13-1 in 1968 their only loss at home to Cleveland. They would avenge that defeat by blasting the Browns in the NFL title game, 34-0, and were huge favorites to dismiss the upstart New York Jets from the American Football league.

It made sense. After all, the NFL heavyweight from Green Bay had taken care of business in the first two Super Bowls by rolling the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders, respectively, by a combined 68-24 score. Of course, Jets’ quarterback Joe Namath uttered the G-word poolside in Miami and it was game on.

But Shula’s team was not on its game. There were five Baltimore turnovers, including three interceptions by quarterback Earl Morrall. The game’s only score of the first half came via running back Matt Snell’s four-yard run. New York’s unsung hero totaled 30 carries for 121 yards. Namath threw for 206 yards on 17-of-28 throwns and Weeb Ewbank’s club owned the ball for 36:10.

You could make a case that this is the most famous of the 10 South Florida Super Bowls. And what it lacked in thrills it made up for in its importance to the league.

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