Fansided

Top 30 NFL teams in history

By Jarrett Bailey

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 9: Quarterback Terry Bradshaw #12 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass as snow falls during a game against the Baltimore Colts at Three Rivers Stadium on December 9, 1978 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Colts 35-13. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 9: Quarterback Terry Bradshaw #12 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass as snow falls during a game against the Baltimore Colts at Three Rivers Stadium on December 9, 1978 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Colts 35-13. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE – OCTOBER 27: Defensive linemen Lamar Lundy #85 and Deacon Jones #75 of the Los Angeles Rams try to get to quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 of the Baltimore Colts during a game on October 27, 1968 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE – OCTOBER 27: Defensive linemen Lamar Lundy #85 and Deacon Jones #75 of the Los Angeles Rams try to get to quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 of the Baltimore Colts during a game on October 27, 1968 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

13. 1968 Baltimore Colts

The 1968 Baltimore Colts are largely remembered for losing to Joe Namath and the Jets in Super Bowl III, but this team was absolutely fantastic.

The Colts scored 402 points in 1968, the second most in the league. They were also fourth in the league in total offense and led the NFL with 28 passing touchdowns. Baltimore had the NFL’s top scoring defense that season. They held opponents to a combined 144 points, and were also second in the league in fewest total yards allowed and had 41 takeaways on the season, which was good for fourth in the league.

The Colts went 13-1 on the season. They beat Minnesota in the Divisional Round, and shut out the Browns 34-0 in the NFL Championship Game. Unfortunately, the Colts couldn’t finish the job against the Jets. Namath guaranteed victory for his Jets, who were heavy underdogs to the NFL powerhouse. The Jets won 16-7, and set in motion the eventual NFL-AFL merger in 1970.

Regardless of the end result of Super Bowl III, the Colts had one of the best all-around seasons in NFL history. In a way, losing to the Jets gave us the NFL we have today, so Colts fans can’t be too upset looking back on everything.

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