Super Bowl V, held on January 17, 1971, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, is a game that has gone down in history as both a spectacle and a comedy of errors. It was a contest where the Baltimore Colts ultimately triumphed over the Dallas Cowboys 16-13 in a nail-biter that was as messy as it was memorable. This game, known affectionately (or perhaps derisively) as the “Blunder Bowl,” offered fans a rollercoaster of emotions, complete with thrilling plays, head-scratching mistakes, and a twist ending worthy of a Hollywood script.
The backdrop for this clash was intriguing. The Cowboys, led by head coach Tom Landry and quarterback Craig Morton, were looking to shed their reputation as playoff chokers. Meanwhile, the Colts were seeking redemption after their shocking upset loss to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III. Quarterback Johnny Unitas, though past his prime, still had the arm and the grit to lead Baltimore to glory.
From the opening kickoff, it became clear that this game would be far from a masterpiece. The first half was a parade of turnovers, penalties, and missed opportunities. The teams combined for 11 turnovers by the game’s end, a Super Bowl record that still stands. The Colts’ offense, in particular, struggled to find any rhythm. Unitas threw an interception early, and another pass bounced off the hands of Eddie Hinton before being miraculously caught by John Mackey for a 75-yard touchdown. The play was as spectacular as it was fortuitous, and it served as one of the rare bright spots in a game filled with miscues.
Not to be outdone, the Cowboys had their fair share of blunders. Craig Morton struggled mightily under center, throwing three interceptions and missing open receivers with alarming regularity. Dallas’ defense, led by the ferocious Bob Lilly, tried to pick up the slack, but their efforts were often undone by penalties. The Cowboys committed 10 infractions for 133 yards, with several coming at the most inopportune moments. Lilly, in a moment of frustration, famously hurled his helmet across the field after one particularly costly penalty, a snapshot of the game’s chaotic nature.
Despite the miscues, the game remained tantalizingly close. The Cowboys held a 13-6 lead entering the fourth quarter, thanks in part to a touchdown run by Duane Thomas and a pair of field goals from Mike Clark. But the Colts, guided by head coach Don McCafferty, refused to quit. Unitas had left the game with an injury, and backup Earl Morrall stepped in to steady the ship. Morrall, no stranger to big moments, engineered a drive that culminated in a Jim O’Brien field goal to cut the deficit to 13-9.
With time winding down, the Colts mounted one final push. Morrall orchestrated a drive deep into Dallas territory, aided by a critical interference penalty against the Cowboys. With nine seconds left on the clock, O’Brien lined up for a 32-yard field goal to seal the game. The snap was clean, the hold was steady, and O’Brien’s kick sailed through the uprights, giving Baltimore a 16-13 lead and setting off jubilant celebrations on the Colts’ sideline.
The Cowboys had one last chance to respond, but a desperate Hail Mary attempt fell incomplete, sealing their fate. As the final whistle blew, the Colts emerged as champions, their victory a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.
One of the most peculiar aspects of Super Bowl V was the awarding of the game’s Most Valuable Player trophy. In a twist that perfectly encapsulated the game’s odd nature, the honor went to Dallas linebacker Chuck Howley—the first and only time a player from the losing team has won the award. Howley, who recorded two interceptions and was a disruptive force throughout, accepted the accolade with characteristic humility, saying, “It’s nice to be recognized, but I’d rather have the ring.”
Super Bowl V may not have been a showcase of perfection, but it was undeniably entertaining. It was a reminder that football, for all its strategy and skill, is also a game of humanity, where mistakes and redemption often go hand in hand. The Colts’ victory brought joy to Baltimore fans who had waited decades for a championship, while the Cowboys were left to stew in frustration and plot their eventual return to glory.
Looking back, Super Bowl V stands as a quirky chapter in the NFL’s storied history—a game where brilliance and bungling shared equal billing. It’s a game that taught us an important lesson: sometimes, the messiest battles make for the most unforgettable stories.