Fansided

20 best quarterback seasons in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

PALO ALTO, CA - JANUARY 20: Joe Montana
PALO ALTO, CA - JANUARY 20: Joe Montana /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 20
Next
Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas (19) prepares to hand off in a 31-16 win over the New York Giants in a Championship game on December 27, 1959 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Fred Roe/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas (19) prepares to hand off in a 31-16 win over the New York Giants in a Championship game on December 27, 1959 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Fred Roe/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

10. Johnny Unitas, Colts (1959)

For so many years, he was considered by numerous people who know and played the game as the greatest player at his position. There are those who still hold Pro Football Hall of Fame signal-caller Johnny Unitas in high regard. He adorns many lists when it comes to the best quarterbacks in NFL annals.

One year after the Baltimore Colts won the franchise’s first league championship via “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” the 1959 version of the team was even better. There would be no 23-17 sudden-death overtime win over the New York Giants for the NFL title. Led by head coach Weeb Ewbank, the Colts finished 9-3 and would go on to defeat the Giants, 31-16, for a second straight league championship.

In 1959, Unitas started all 12 contests for Baltimore and threw for a league-leading 2,899 yards. He threw more than twice as many touchdown passes (32) as interceptions (14). He also ran for two scores on his way to being named the NFL’s Most Outstanding Player (MVP) that season.

In the 15-point win over the Giants for the title, Unitas hit on 18-of-29 throws for 264 yards and two scores plus ran for a touchdown as the Colts repeated as NFL champions.

Home/NFL