[1][2] The Baltimore Colts (13–1) won the Coastal Division and defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24–14 in the Western Conference championship game.
The Browns were led by head coach Blanton Collier, running back Leroy Kelly, and quarterback Bill Nelsen.
Cleveland crossed midfield only twice, just once in each half, and kicker Don Cockroft missed three field goal attempts.
The Browns then drove to the Colts 35-yard line, with Bill Nelsen completing passes to Paul Warfield and Milt Morin for gains of 16 and 22 yards.
He managed to lead the team back to the 35 by the time they got to 4th down, but Cockroft 42-yard field goal attempt was blocked by defensive tackle Bubba Smith.
Later on, the Colts seemed to blow a scoring chance when tight end John Mackey lost a fumble that was recovered by Erich Barnes and returned 9 yards to the Browns 23.
Sunday, December 29, 1968 Kickoff: 2:35 p.m. EST[2] The NFL had six game officials in 1968; the side judge was added in 1978.