Editing Indianapolis Colts (section)

=== Robert Irsay era (1971–1996) ===
Citing friction with the City of Baltimore and the local press, Rosenbloom traded the Colts franchise to [[Robert Irsay]] on July&nbsp;13, 1972, and received the [[Los&nbsp;Angeles Rams]] in return.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1086414/2/index.htm|title=Fed up with his Colts, Carroll Rosenbloom traded for the Rams|access-date=July 5, 2012|last=Maule|first=Tex|date=August 14, 1972|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|archive-date=November 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114111050/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1086414/2/index.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Under the new ownership, the Colts did not reach the postseason for three consecutive seasons after 1971, and after the [[1972 Baltimore Colts season|1972 season]], starting quarterback and legend Johnny Unitas was traded to the [[San&nbsp;Diego Chargers]].<ref name="Baltimore Colts History"/> Following Unitas' departure, the Colts made the playoffs three consecutive seasons from 1975 to 1977, losing in the divisional round each time. The Colts' 1977 playoff loss in double overtime against the Oakland Raiders was famous for the fact that it was the last playoff game for the Colts in Baltimore and is also known for the [[Ghost to the Post]] play.<ref name="e606">{{cite web | last=DeArdo | first=Bryan | title=Raiders vs. Colts: Re-visiting the classic 'Ghost to the post' 1977 playoff game | website=CBSSports.com | date=2020-12-10 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/raiders-vs-colts-re-visiting-the-classic-ghost-to-the-post-1977-playoff-game/ | access-date=2024-08-18}}</ref> These consecutive championship teams featured 1976 NFL Most Valuable Player [[Bert Jones]] at quarterback and an outstanding defensive line, nicknamed the "Sack Pack".<ref name="w969">{{cite web | last=Schwab | first=Frank | title=Moment of Glory: Bert Jones, Johnny Unitas' Colts replacement, won an MVP and became a Bill Belichick favorite | website=Yahoo! Sports | date=2020-05-18 | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/moment-of-glory-bert-jones-johnny-unitas-colts-replacement-won-an-mvp-and-became-a-bill-belichick-favorite-131827347.html | access-date=2024-08-18}}</ref>

Following the 1970s success, the team endured nine consecutive losing seasons beginning in [[1978 NFL season|1978]]. In [[1981 Baltimore Colts season|1981]], the Colts defense allowed an NFL-record 533 points, set an all-time record for fewest sacks (13), and also set a modern record for fewest punt returns (12).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1981.htm|title=1981 Baltimore Colts Statistics|access-date=July 4, 2012|publisher=Pro Football Reference|archive-date=July 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702001619/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1981.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, the offense collapsed, including a game against the [[Buffalo Bills]] where the Colts' offense did not cross mid-field the entire game. The Colts finished 0–8–1 in the strike-shortened 1982 season, thereby earning the right to select [[Stanford Cardinal football|Stanford]] quarterback [[John Elway]] with the first overall pick. Elway, however, refused to play for Baltimore, and using leverage as a draftee of the [[New&nbsp;York Yankees]] baseball club, forced a trade to [[Denver Broncos|Denver]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stanforddaily.com/2012/05/03/football-a-look-back-at-stanfords-other-no-1-picks/|title=Football: A look back at Stanford's other No. 1 picks|access-date=July 5, 2012|last=Blanchat|first=Jack|work=The Stanford Daily|date=May 3, 2012|archive-date=May 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512021830/http://www.stanforddaily.com/2012/05/03/football-a-look-back-at-stanfords-other-no-1-picks/|url-status=live}}</ref> Behind an improved defense the team finished 7–9 in [[1983 Baltimore Colts season|1983]], but that would be their last season in Baltimore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1983 Baltimore Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1983.htm |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>