The 1959 National Football League season was a thrilling follow-up to "The Greatest Game Ever Played" and saw a familiar champion emerge. Building on their dramatic 1958 overtime victory, the Baltimore Colts, led by their charismatic quarterback Johnny Unitas, proved that their triumph was no fluke, culminating in another championship performance against their East Division rivals, the New York Giants.
The Regular Season: Unitas's Ascent and Giants' Dominance
The 1959 season, which ran from late September to mid-December, was marked by several significant events. Vince Lombardi took over as head coach of the Green Bay Packers, signaling the dawn of a new era in Wisconsin. Tragically, NFL Commissioner Bert Bell passed away during a game in October, leading to league treasurer Austin Gunsel being named interim commissioner.
In the Western Conference, the Baltimore Colts finished with a dominant 9-3 record, boasting the league's top offense with a staggering 374 points scored. Johnny Unitas cemented his status as the league's premier passer, leading the NFL in passing yards (2,899) and touchdowns (32), earning him the AP MVP award. He was aided by star receiver Raymond Berry, who led the league with 14 receiving touchdowns. The New York Giants, meanwhile, showcased the league's best defense, allowing a mere 170 points en route to a stellar 10-2 record and the Eastern Conference title. Their roster featured defensive stalwarts like Sam Huff and Andy Robustelli, making them a formidable opponent.
The 1959 NFL Championship Game: A Rematch in Baltimore
On December 27, 1959, the stage was set for a highly anticipated rematch of the previous year's epic championship. The Baltimore Colts hosted the New York Giants at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 57,545. While the previous year's game was a nail-biter decided in overtime, the 1959 contest saw the Colts assert their dominance in the second half.
The Giants' vaunted defense held the Colts scoreless in the second and third quarters, leading 9-7 at halftime and 16-7 heading into the fourth quarter. However, the Colts' powerful offense, fueled by Unitas's passing and a strong running game featuring Lenny Moore and Alan Ameche, exploded in the final period. Baltimore scored 24 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, turning a deficit into a commanding victory. The final score, 31-16, secured the Baltimore Colts their second consecutive NFL Championship.
The 1959 season and its championship game solidified the Baltimore Colts' place as the dominant team of the late 1950s, with Johnny Unitas at the helm of an innovative and potent offensive attack that would set the tone for passing offenses for years to come.
