Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Were the 11-1-2 1967 Baltimore Colts the best team to not make the playoffs?

Four points from being tied in leading the league in scoring and the Colts surrendered only two more points than the NFL's stingest defense, the Los Angeles Rams, who by the way also led the league in scoring.

Other teams as one of the best to not make the playoffs conversation?

1968 Rams: 10-3-1

Eight Pro Bowlers, fifth in points scored and third in points allowed. Eighth in yards gained and first in yards allowed.

They were 10-1-1 going into their Week 13 game with Chicago, and they had the Colts coming to LA in the season finale with a chance to set up a showdown for the Coastal title.

However, they were upset 17-16 by the Bears when a late rally fell short, and it ended their season (and kept Chicago's hopes for winning the Norris division alive).

The '67 Colts missed out behind the Rams, and the next year, the Rams missed out behind the Colts. Not as much of a miss because the '68 Rams were 10-3-1, and they lost both of their games against the Colts. But they were also 5th in points and 3rd in points allowed, and #1 for fewest yards allowed.

I actually believe the 1948 49ers, who only lost to the Browns could have given the NFL champion Eagles a great game.

I hate to keep on bringing up the Packers in all these discussions, but the 1963 Packers have a case. They lost two games - both to the Bears - in an 11-2-1 season. I guess you could say they made the "playoffs" because they played in the "Playoff Bowl," but that doesn't really count. They scored 28 or more points in all of their wins except for the last one. To think they were one win over the Bears from three-peating... ooh, that stings.

Crazy Packers Fan wrote: ↑Fri Jul 24, 2026 9:20 pm I hate to keep on bringing up the Packers in all these discussions, but the 1963 Packers have a case. They lost two games - both to the Bears - in an 11-2-1 season. I guess you could say they made the "playoffs" because they played in the "Playoff Bowl," but that doesn't really count. They scored 28 or more points in all of their wins except for the last one. To think they were one win over the Bears from three-peating... ooh, that stings.

...and the 1942 Packers went 8-2-1 and their only losses were to the undefeated Bears.

1963 Raiders. 10-4 beat the eventual Champion Chargers twice.
Started 2-4. Davidson was replaced at QB by Flores after they went 2-3

Clem Daniels led the league in rushing yards and avg per catch
Art Powell led the league in receiving yards and receiving TDs
Punt Returner Gibson led the leagues in Punt returns, yards, average, and TDs
Flores led the league in TD%, yds per att, yds per catch
15 TD passes of 38 yards or more. (Chargers had 8)

Sonny9 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 25, 2026 5:58 am 1963 Raiders. 10-4 beat the eventual Champion Chargers twice.
Started 2-4. Davidson was replaced at QB by Flores after they went 2-3

Clem Daniels led the league in rushing yards and avg per catch
Art Powell led the league in receiving yards and receiving TDs
Punt Returner Gibson led the leagues in Punt returns, yards, average, and TDs
Flores led the league in TD%, yds per att, yds per catch
15 TD passes of 38 yards or more. (Chargers had 8)

Wasn't this Al Davis's first year with the team and as HC?

91 Eagles belong in the conversation for sure, one of the best defenses but were playing with 3rd string QB by end of the year finished 10-6 and missed out. I got to believe they could have shaken some things up in the playoffs even with Jim Mcmahon at QB.

89 Packers, beat the 89 49ers in Candlestick in great game that had playoff type atmosphere to it, Majkowski one hit wonder season something like 7 game winning drives, and Tim Harris was a monster on defense, finished 10-6 and missed out at a time when there were only 5 playoff spots per conference.

The 1963 Packers could have won the Western Conference despite the two losses to Chicago.

Thanksgiving Day in Detroit. The Lions showed remarkable resilience late in the first half and again at the end of the game. Wayne Walker booted his second field goal, a 42 yard effort, on the last play of the first half for a tie at 6 at halftime. In the fourth quarter, Nick Petrosante scored a touchdown
with second left for a tie at 13. Having said this, Green Bay missed two chip shot field goals and an extra point. Winning this game would have meant a 12-2 record.

The following Sunday at Forbes Field the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Bears played to a 17 all tie. The first half was even with two touchdowns each. The Steelers had two drives in the third quarter but Lou Michaels missed field goals of 32 and 28 yards. Early in the fourth quarter, it looked like Ed Brown threw a screen to Dick Hoak for a touchdown. By mistake the official ruled him down by contact. Fans thought he broke the tackle. After an 11 yard field goal, the Steelers led 17 to 14.

After the kickoff, Mike Ditka made his now famous tackle break which led to a 63 yard gain. Roger LeClere kicked the tying field goal. The Steelers should have won. This would have given Chicago an 11-2-1 record.