Willie Davis closes in on Colts running back Tom Matte as the Packers stuffed Baltimore 34-19. The victory was revenge the Packers whose last loss occurred in Baltimore last season.
Baltimore,Nov. 5 –The Green Bay Packers stumbled out of the gate but regained their form with seventeen second quarter points to defeat the Baltimore Colts,34-19. The victory was Green Bay’s eleventh consecutive win. Their last defeat came here in Baltimore on December 10,1966. An early interception by Bart Starr and a muffed punt by Willie Wood set the Colts up for two first quarter turnovers and an early 13-7 lead. Starr led the Packers on three consecutive scoring drives in the second quarter to take an eleven point halftime lead. Starr finished the game with an efficient 16 of 24 for 165 yards. His counterpart,Johnny Unitas,completed 17 of 37 attempts but managed a mere 104 aerial yards against the league leading Packer defense.
Green Bay running back Jim Grabowski gained a game-high 62 yards as the Packers outgained the Colts 335 to 198 yards. After a scoreless third quarter,Lou Michaels hit a pair of field goals to close the Packer lead to five points. However,Green Bay responded with a 20 yard chip shot by Don Chandler to push their lead to eight points with only five minutes remaining for Unitas to work any magic. On the Colts’second play,it appeared Bob Jeter ended Baltimore dreams with an interception. However,Green Bay was flagged for pass interference on an underneath route,and Unitas was granted a second life. But even a second life is a difficult one against this Packer defense which held Unitas and the Colts on downs. Baltimore held Green Bay to three plays,but Donnie Anderson’s punt pinned the Colts deep at their own nine yard line. In the end,it was Jeter who cashed in on a second chance as the Packer cornerback jumped in front a pass intended for Tom Matte and raced nineteen yards for the final score. It was Jeter’s eighth interception of the season.
The Packers will return to Lambeau Field next week to host the Cleveland Browns. The loss was crucial to the Colts who dropped two games behind the Los Angeles Rams in the Coastal Division. The Rams will host the Colts on the final weekend of the season.
