Super Bowl V

Background

Both teams came into the game extremely eager for a win. For the Colts, the game represented a chance to redeem themselves for their humiliating loss to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III. After missing the playoffs during the previous season, the Colts advanced to Super Bowl V with late rallies and close wins. It also was an opportunity for Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas to earn a Super Bowl ring, one of the few things he had not yet accomplished in his outstanding career (although he won two NFL Championships in 1958 and 1959 prior to the first Super Bowl).

Related Topics:
New York Jets - Super Bowl III - Johnny Unitas - NFL Championships

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For the Cowboys, it was a chance to lose their reputation of "not being able to win the big games". In the past 5 seasons, the Cowboys had won more games, 52 out of 68, then any other professional football team, but they had never won any league title. Still, Dallas had to overcome many obstacles during the regular season, including the loss of fullback Calvin Hill to a leg injury, the benching of wide receiver Bob Hayes for poor performances, and a quarterback controversy between Craig Morton and Roger Staubach. Morton and Staubach alternated as the starting quarterback during the regular season, but head coach Tom Landry choose Morton to start Super Bowl V because he felt less confident that Staubach would follow his game plan.

Related Topics:
Calvin Hill - Craig Morton - Roger Staubach - Tom Landry

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