Colts Edge Giants in OT for 1958 NFL Title

Landmark game helped propel NFL's rise to national popularity

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:20am

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In a thrilling 1958 NFL championship game, the Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants 23-17 in sudden-death overtime. The game, which featured Hall of Famers Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry, was the first NFL title to go to overtime and is considered a landmark moment that helped the league surpass baseball in popularity.

Why it matters

Prior to this game, professional football was not a nationally beloved sport, with baseball still considered America's pastime. However, the excitement and star power on display in this championship game, which was the first to be nationally televised, helped set the NFL on a path to becoming the most-watched sport in the country.

The details

The Colts had a modern, explosive passing game led by Unitas and Berry, who accounted for 178 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Giants' Charlie Conerly kept the game close, but Unitas led a late field goal drive to tie it at 17 and send the game to overtime. In the extra period, Colts running back Alan Ameche scored the game-winning touchdown from one yard out to give Baltimore the title.

  • The 1958 NFL championship game was played on December 28.
  • The game went into sudden-death overtime, the first time an NFL title tilt had done so.

The players

Johnny Unitas

Hall of Fame quarterback for the Baltimore Colts who threw for a pre-Super Bowl record 349 yards in the game.

Raymond Berry

Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts who had 12 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown in the game.

Charlie Conerly

Quarterback for the New York Giants who battled Unitas throughout the game.

Alan Ameche

Colts running back who scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

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The takeaway

This landmark 1958 NFL championship game, with its thrilling overtime finish and star-studded players, helped propel the league to new heights of national popularity and set the stage for the rise of the Super Bowl as the most-watched annual sporting event in the United States.