Editing Johnny Unitas (section)

====1964 MVP season====
In the [[1964 Baltimore Colts season|1964 season]] the Colts returned to the top of the Western Conference. After dropping their season opener to the [[1964 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], the Colts ran off 10 straight victories to finish with a 12–2 record. The season was one of Unitas's best as he finished with 2,824 yards passing, a league-best 9.26 yards per pass attempt, 19 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player by the AP and UPI for a second time. However, the season ended on a disappointing note for the Colts, as they were upset by the Cleveland Browns in the [[1964 NFL Championship Game]], losing 27–0.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamers |first=Ben |date=March 26, 2015 |title=Throwback Thursday: John Unitas' 1964 Season |url=https://www.stampedeblue.com/2015/3/26/8295229/throwback-thursday-john-unitas-1964-season |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Stampede Blue}}</ref>

Unitas resumed his torrid passing in 1965, throwing for 2,530 yards, 23 touchdowns and finishing with a league-high and career-best 97.1 passer rating. But he was lost for the balance of the season due to a knee injury in a week 12 loss to the Bears. Backup quarterback [[Gary Cuozzo]] also suffered a season-ending injury the following week, and running back [[Tom Matte]] filled in as the emergency quarterback for the regular season finale and in a playoff loss to the Packers. The Colts and Packers finished in a tie for first place in the Western Conference, and a one-game [[1965 NFL playoffs|playoff]] was played in Green Bay to decide who would be the conference representative in the [[1965 NFL Championship Game]]. The Colts lost in overtime 13–10 due in large part to a game-tying field goal by [[Don Chandler]] that many, including Colts hall of fame coach Don Shula and Chandler himself years later, say was incorrectly ruled good.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steadman |first=John |date=November 3, 1996 |title=Chandler's admission helps take sting out of 31-year-old bad call |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/11/03/chandlers-admission-helps-take-sting-out-of-31-year-old-bad-call/ |access-date=October 11, 2024 |website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Colts-Packers Playoff Remains Etched In Lore |url=https://www.packers.com/news/colts-packers-playoff-remains-etched-in-lore-2472744 |access-date=October 11, 2024 |website=www.packers.com}}</ref>

Unitas, healthy once more, threw for 2,748 yards and 22 touchdowns in 1966 in a return to [[Pro Bowl]] form. However, he posted a league-high 24 interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1966 NFL Passing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1966/passing.htm |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref>