Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl 5, a game that would go down in history as one of the most unusual and dramatic championship matchups in NFL history. This contest between the Baltimore Colts and the Dallas Cowboys took place on January 17, 1971, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. As we delve into the details of this historic game, we'll explore the lead-up, the key players, the dramatic moments, and the lasting impact of what would become known as the "Blunder Bowl”. The 1970 NFL season was a year of transition. It marked the first season after the AFL-NFL merger, with the leagues now unified under the NFL banner. The Baltimore Colts, representing the newly formed American Football Conference (AFC), and the Dallas Cowboys, from the National Football Conference (NFC), would face off in this historic Super Bowl. The Baltimore Colts entered Super Bowl 5 with a chip on their shoulder. Just two years earlier, they had suffered a shocking upset loss to the New York Jets in Super Bowl 3, a defeat that still stung for many on the team. The Colts were led by head coach Don McCafferty, who was in his first year at the helm after taking over from the legendary Don Shula. At quarterback, the Colts had a unique situation. They boasted two exceptional signal-callers in Johnny Unitas and Earl Morrall. Unitas, known as "The Golden Arm," was a legend in Baltimore and one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. However, he had been plagued by injuries in recent years. Earl Morrall, who had led the team to Super Bowl 3 before being benched in that game, had performed admirably when called upon the Colts' offense also featured a strong running game led by Norm Bulaich and Tom Nowatzke. Their receiving corps was anchored by future Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, along with wide receivers Roy Jefferson and Eddie Hinton. On defense, the Colts boasted a formidable unit led by defensive end Bubba Smith and linebacker Mike Curtis. The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, were making their first Super Bowl appearance after years of playoff frustrations. Led by innovative head coach Tom Landry, the Cowboys had earned the nickname "Next Year's Champions" due to their inability to win the big game. They were determined to shed that label and prove they could perform on the biggest stage. The Cowboys' offense was led by quarterback Craig Morton, who had beaten out Roger Staubach for the starting job that season. Morton had a strong arm and a talented group of receivers to throw to, including Bob Hayes and Lance Rentzel. The running game was anchored by the duo of Duane Thomas and Walt Garrison. On defense, the Cowboys boasted one of the best units in the league. Known as the "Doomsday Defense," it featured future Hall of Famers Bob Lilly and Mel Renfro, along with other standouts like Chuck Howley and Lee Roy Jordan. As game day approached, the Colts were slight favorites, but many experts expected a close, hard-fought contest. What unfolded over the next sixty minutes of play would exceed even those expectations, though not always for the right reasons. The game began with both teams showing signs of nerves. The first quarter was a defensive struggle, with neither offense able to gain much traction. The Cowboys managed to get on the board first with a 14 yard field goal from kicker Mike Clark, giving them a 3 oh  lead. The second quarter saw the game's first touchdown, but it came in an unusual fashion. Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas attempted a pass to Eddie Hinton, but the ball bounced off Hinton's hands, then off the fingertips of Cowboys defender Mel Renfro, and into the arms of Colts tight end John Mackey, who ran it in for a 75-yard touchdown. However, the extra point attempt was blocked, leaving the score at 6 to 3 in favor of the Colts. The Cowboys responded with a touchdown of their own later in the quarter. Running back Duane Thomas punched it in from the 7-yard line, giving Dallas a 13 to 6 lead at halftime. The third quarter saw the game take several dramatic turns. First, Johnny Unitas was knocked out of the game with a rib injury after a hit by Cowboys linebacker Lee Roy Jordan. Earl Morrall came in to replace him, just as he had in Super Bowl 3 two years earlier. The Colts managed to tie the game at 13 to 13 on a 2-yard run by Tom Nowatzke, but the real drama was yet to come. Both teams' offenses struggled mightily, with turnovers and penalties becoming the defining feature of the game. In total, the two teams would combine for 11 turnovers - a Super Bowl record that still stands today. As the fourth quarter began, the game remained tied at 13 to 13. Both defenses continued to dominate, forcing punts and turnovers. The Cowboys seemed to have a golden opportunity when they recovered a fumble deep in Colts territory, but they were unable to capitalize, missing a field goal attempt. With just over a minute left in the game, Colts linebacker Mike Curtis intercepted a Craig Morton pass, giving Baltimore excellent field position. This set up what would be the game-winning field goal, a 32 yard kick by rookie Jim O'Brien with just five seconds left on the clock. As the final whistle blew, the Baltimore Colts had emerged victorious with a score of 16 to 13. They had exorcised the demons of their Super Bowl 3 loss and claimed their first NFL championship since 1958. In a surprising twist, the Super Bowl 5 MVP award was given to Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley, marking the first and only time in Super Bowl history that a player from the losing team was named MVP. Howley had an outstanding game, recording two interceptions and a fumble recovery. His selection as MVP was a testament to the defensive nature of the game and the struggles of both offenses. The game would go down in history with several unflattering nicknames, including the "Blunder Bowl" and the "Stupor Bowl," due to the high number of turnovers and mistakes. However, it was also one of the most dramatic and closely contested Super Bowls to date, with the outcome in doubt until the final seconds. For the Colts, the victory was sweet redemption after their upset loss two years earlier. Players like Johnny Unitas, who had been part of the Colts' NFL championship teams in the late Nineteen Fifties, could now add a Super Bowl title to their illustrious careers. For younger players like Jim O'Brien, the rookie kicker who booted the winning field goal, it was a dream start to their NFL careers. The Cowboys, meanwhile, were left to wonder what might have been. Their "Next Year's Champions" label seemed more apt than ever, but they would not have to wait long for redemption. The following year, they would return to the Super Bowl and claim their first championship. Super Bowl 5 was significant for several reasons beyond the game itself. It was the first Super Bowl played after the AFL, NFL merger, marking the beginning of the modern NFL era. It was also the first Super Bowl to be played on artificial turf, as the Orange Bowl had installed AstroTurf the previous year. The game also highlighted the importance of defense in championship football. While high-scoring, offense-driven games would become more common in later years, Super Bowl 5 showed that a strong defense could still be the key to victory in the biggest game of all. For the players involved, Super Bowl 5 represented the pinnacle of their careers. Many of them, including Johnny Unitas, John Mackey, and Bubba Smith from the Colts, and Bob Lilly and Mel Renfro from the Cowboys, would go on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The game had a lasting impact on both franchises. For the Colts, it would be their last Super Bowl appearance while representing Baltimore. The team would infamously move to Indianapolis in 1984, leaving behind a passionate fan base and a rich history. The Cowboys, despite the loss, were on the verge of becoming "America's Team." They would return to the Super Bowl the following year and win, beginning a dynasty that would see them become one of the most successful and popular franchises in NFL history. As we look back on Super Bowl 5 from our vantage point today, it's easy to focus on the mistakes and turnovers that characterized the game. However, it's important to remember the context of the time. This was an era of dominant defenses, when rule changes favoring offense had not yet been implemented. The struggle between these two talented teams, culminating in a last-minute field goal, created a drama that is still remembered half a century later. The game also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports. Despite all the analysis and predictions, once the players take the field, anything can happen. The bounces of an oblong football, the split-second decisions of players under pressure, and the thin line between victory and defeat - all of these elements were on full display in Super Bowl 5. In conclusion, Super Bowl 5, for all its flaws and peculiarities, remains a fascinating chapter in NFL history. It was a game that showcased the drama of football, the importance of defense, and the fine margins that often decide championships. From Johnny Unitas injury to Earl Morrall's relief appearance, from Chuck Howley's MVP performance in a losing effort to Jim O'Brien's clutch game-winning kick, Super Bowl 5 provided moments that would be remembered and discussed for decades to come. As we continue to watch and enjoy Super Bowls today, with their high-powered offenses and astronomical television ratings, it's worth remembering games like Super Bowl 5. They remind us of the NFL's roots, of the grit and determination that have always been at the heart of the sport, and of the eternal truth that in football, as in life, it's not always pretty - but it's always compelling. Thank you for joining us on this journey back to Super Bowl 5, a game that proved that sometimes, the most memorable contests are the ones that don't go according to plan.