The 1968 National Football League championship game was the 36th annual championship game. The winner of the game would represent the NFL in the 3rd AFL-NFL World Championship Game also called the Super Bowl. The NFL title game was held December 29, 1968 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio.

[edit] Background

Baltimore Colts had finished the regular season with a record of 13-1 and won the Coastal Division. They defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-14 in the Western Conference championship game. The Colts were led by their head coach Don Shula. This was the Colts 4th championship game appearance since joining the NFL in 1953.

Cleveland Browns had finished the regular season with a record of 10-4, were the only team to defeat Baltimore during the regular season, and won the Century Division. The Browns defeated the Dallas Cowboys 31-20 in the Eastern Conference championship game. The Browns were led by their head coach Blanton Collier and RB Leroy Kelly. This was the Browns 10th NFL championship game appearance since joining the NFL in 1950.

The 1968 game was a rematch of the 1964 title game.

[edit] Game summary

Baltimore Colts 34, Cleveland Browns 0

Scoring

• BAL - FG Michaels 28 3-0 BAL
• BAL - Matte 1 run (Michaels kick) 10-0 BAL
• BAL - Matte 12 run (Michaels kick) 17-0 BAL
• BAL - Matte 2 run (Michaels kick) 24-0 BAL
• BAL - FG Michaels 10 27-0 BAL
• BAL - Brown 4 run (Michaels kick) 34-0 BAL

[edit] References

[1] Chuck Heaton, "Browns Title Bid Ends, 34-0", Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 29, 1968, Browns history database retrieved December 12, 2007