The 1995 Indianapolis Colts season was the 43rd season for the team in the National Football League and 12th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 1995 season with a record of 9 wins and 7 losses, and finished tied for second in the AFC East division with the Miami Dolphins. However, the Colts finished ahead of Miami based on head-to-head sweep (2–0).
The Colts' 9–7 record was good enough to get them into the playoffs for the first time since 1987, largely due to the insertion of Jim Harbaugh into the starting quarterback role. It was only the second playoff appearance for the franchise since it moved from Baltimore in 1984, and was its first playoff appearance in a non-strike year since 1977. They defeated the defending conference champion San Diego Chargers in their first playoff game (their first playoff win since 1971, when the team was still located in Baltimore), then upset the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Playoffs. The Colts would fall short in the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a game that came down to the final play.
1995 Expansion Draft
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Undrafted free agents
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1995 Indianapolis Colts staff
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Front office
- President/treasurer – Robert Irsay
- Vice president/general manager – Jim Irsay
- Vice president/director of football operations – Bill Tobin
- Assistant general manager – Bob Terpening
- Director of pro player personnel – Clyde Powers
- Director of college player personnel – George Boone
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
- Strength and conditioning – Tom Zupancic
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1995 Indianapolis Colts final roster
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
53 active, 4 inactive, 1 practice squad
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Preseason Game summaries
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Preseason Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Bengals |
7 |
10 |
10 | 7 | 34 |
Colts |
3 |
8 |
0 | 10 | 21 |
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
- Date: August 4, 1995
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 39,946
- TV: WTTV
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
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CIN
|
Passing |
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Rushing |
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Receiving |
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IND
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Passing |
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Rushing |
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Receiving |
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Bengals
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Game Statistics
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Colts
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First downs
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Rushes–yards
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Passing yards
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Passes
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Sacked–yards
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Net passing yards
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Total yards
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Return yards
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Punts
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Fumbles–lost
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Penalties–yards
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Time of possession
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Preseason Week 2: Indianapolis Colts at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Colts |
3 |
0 |
7 | 10 | 20 |
Seahawks |
0 |
0 |
3 | 14 | 17 |
at Kingdome • Seattle, Washington
- Date: August 12, 1995
- Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 38,006
- TV: WTTV
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
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IND
|
Passing |
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Rushing |
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Receiving |
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SEA
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Passing |
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Rushing |
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Receiving |
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Colts
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Game Statistics
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Seahawks
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First downs
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Rushes–yards
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Passing yards
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Passes
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Sacked–yards
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Net passing yards
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Total yards
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Return yards
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Punts
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Fumbles–lost
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Penalties–yards
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Time of possession
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Preseason Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | OT | Total |
Colts |
6 |
0 |
3 | 8 | 3 | 20 |
Packers |
0 |
17 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Lambeau Field • Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Date: August 19, 1995
- Game time: 12 Noon EST
- Game attendance: 55,624
- TV: WTTV
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
IND
|
Passing |
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Rushing |
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Receiving |
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GB
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Passing |
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Rushing |
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Receiving |
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Colts
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Game Statistics
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Packers
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First downs
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Rushes–yards
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Passing yards
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Passes
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Sacked–yards
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Net passing yards
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Total yards
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Return yards
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Punts
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Fumbles–lost
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Penalties–yards
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Time of possession
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Week
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Date
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Opponent
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Result
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Record
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Game Site
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Attendance
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Recap
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1
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September 3
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Cincinnati Bengals
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L 21–24 (OT)
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0–1
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RCA Dome
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42,445
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Recap
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2
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September 10
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at New York Jets
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W 27–24 (OT)
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1–1
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Giants Stadium
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65,134
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Recap
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3
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September 17
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at Buffalo Bills
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L 14–20
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1–2
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Rich Stadium
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62,499
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Recap
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4
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Bye
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5
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October 1
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St. Louis Rams
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W 21–18
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2–2
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RCA Dome
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58,616
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Recap
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6
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October 8
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at Miami Dolphins
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W 27–24 (OT)
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3–2
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Joe Robbie Stadium
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68,471
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Recap
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7
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October 15
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San Francisco 49ers
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W 18–17
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4–2
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RCA Dome
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60,273
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Recap
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8
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October 22
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at Oakland Raiders
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L 17–30
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4–3
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Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
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53,543
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Recap
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9
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October 29
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New York Jets
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W 17–10
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5–3
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RCA Dome
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49,250
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Recap
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10
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November 5
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Buffalo Bills
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L 10–16
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5–4
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RCA Dome
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59,612
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Recap
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11
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November 12
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at New Orleans Saints
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L 14–17
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5–5
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Louisiana Superdome
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44,122
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Recap
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12
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November 19
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at New England Patriots
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W 24–10
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6–5
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Foxboro Stadium
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59,544
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Recap
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13
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November 26
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Miami Dolphins
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W 36–28
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7–5
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RCA Dome
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60,414
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Recap
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14
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December 3
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at Carolina Panthers
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L 10–13
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7–6
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Memorial Stadium
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49,841
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Recap
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15
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December 10
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at Jacksonville Jaguars
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W 41–31
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8–6
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Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
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66,099
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Recap
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16
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December 17
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San Diego Chargers
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L 24–27
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8–7
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RCA Dome
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55,318
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Recap
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17
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December 23
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New England Patriots
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W 10–7
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9–7
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RCA Dome
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54,685
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Recap
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Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
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[2]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
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CIN
|
Passing |
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Rushing |
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Receiving |
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IND
|
Passing |
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Rushing |
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Receiving |
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|
Bengals
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Game Statistics
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Colts
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First downs
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|
|
Rushes–yards
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|
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Passing yards
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|
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Passes
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Sacked–yards
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Net passing yards
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|
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Total yards
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|
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Return yards
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|
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Punts
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Fumbles–lost
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Penalties–yards
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Time of possession
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Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- NYJ – Nick Lowery 28-yard field goal, 11:41. Jets 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards.
- IND – Mike Cofer 20-yard field goal, 0:27. Jets 17–3. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards.
Third quarter
- NYJ – Wayne Chrebet 5-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Nick Lowery kick), 13:14. Jets 24–3. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards.
- IND – Tony Bennett 32-yard fumble return (Mike Cofer kick), 2:11. Jets 24–10.
Fourth quarter
- IND – Sean Dawkins 15-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Mike Cofer kick), 8:46. Jets 24–17. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards.
- IND – Marshall Faulk 14-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Mike Cofer kick), 2:38. Tie 24–24. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards.
Overtime
- IND – Mike Cofer 52-yard field goal, 10:33. Colts 27–24. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
- IND – Sean Dawkins – 5 receptions, 60 yards, TD
- NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 4 receptions, 68 yards
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|
[3]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
BUF
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Colts
|
Game Statistics
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Bills
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|
First downs
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|
|
Rushes–yards
|
|
|
Passing yards
|
|
|
Passes
|
|
|
Sacked–yards
|
|
|
Net passing yards
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|
|
Total yards
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|
|
Return yards
|
|
|
Punts
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|
|
Fumbles–lost
|
|
|
Penalties–yards
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|
|
Time of possession
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|
[4]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
STL
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
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IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Rams
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Game Statistics
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Colts
|
|
First downs
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|
|
Rushes–yards
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|
|
Passing yards
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|
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Passes
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|
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Sacked–yards
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|
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Net passing yards
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|
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Total yards
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|
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Return yards
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|
|
Punts
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|
|
Fumbles–lost
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|
|
Penalties–yards
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|
|
Time of possession
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|
[5]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
MIA
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Passing |
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|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Colts
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Game Statistics
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Dolphins
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|
First downs
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|
|
Rushes–yards
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|
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Passing yards
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|
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Passes
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|
|
Sacked–yards
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|
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Net passing yards
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|
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Total yards
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|
|
Return yards
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|
|
Punts
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|
|
Fumbles–lost
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|
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Penalties–yards
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|
|
Time of possession
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|
[6]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
SF
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Passing |
|
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Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
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Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
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|
49ers
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Game Statistics
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Colts
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First downs
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|
|
Rushes–yards
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Passing yards
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|
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Passes
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|
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Sacked–yards
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|
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Net passing yards
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|
|
Total yards
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|
|
Return yards
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|
|
Punts
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|
|
Fumbles–lost
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|
|
Penalties–yards
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|
|
Time of possession
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|
[7]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
OAK
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Passing |
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Rushing |
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Receiving |
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|
Colts
|
Game Statistics
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Raiders
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|
First downs
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|
|
Rushes–yards
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|
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Passing yards
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|
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Passes
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|
|
Sacked–yards
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|
|
Net passing yards
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|
|
Total yards
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|
|
Return yards
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|
|
Punts
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|
|
Fumbles–lost
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|
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Penalties–yards
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|
|
Time of possession
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|
[8]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
NYJ
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
IND
|
Passing |
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|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
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|
Jets
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Game Statistics
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Colts
|
|
First downs
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|
|
Rushes–yards
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|
|
Passing yards
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|
|
Passes
|
|
|
Sacked–yards
|
|
|
Net passing yards
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|
|
Total yards
|
|
|
Return yards
|
|
|
Punts
|
|
|
Fumbles–lost
|
|
|
Penalties–yards
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|
|
Time of possession
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|
[9]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
BUF
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Bills
|
Game Statistics
|
Colts
|
|
First downs
|
|
|
Rushes–yards
|
|
|
Passing yards
|
|
|
Passes
|
|
|
Sacked–yards
|
|
|
Net passing yards
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|
|
Total yards
|
|
|
Return yards
|
|
|
Punts
|
|
|
Fumbles–lost
|
|
|
Penalties–yards
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|
|
Time of possession
|
|
[10]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
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|
NO
|
Passing |
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|
Rushing |
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|
Receiving |
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|
Colts
|
Game Statistics
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Saints
|
|
First downs
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|
|
Rushes–yards
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|
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Passing yards
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|
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Passes
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|
|
Sacked–yards
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|
|
Net passing yards
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|
|
Total yards
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|
|
Return yards
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|
|
Punts
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|
|
Fumbles–lost
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|
|
Penalties–yards
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|
|
Time of possession
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|
[11]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
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Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
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|
NE
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Colts
|
Game Statistics
|
Patriots
|
|
First downs
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|
|
Rushes–yards
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|
|
Passing yards
|
|
|
Passes
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|
|
Sacked–yards
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|
|
Net passing yards
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|
|
Total yards
|
|
|
Return yards
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|
|
Punts
|
|
|
Fumbles–lost
|
|
|
Penalties–yards
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|
|
Time of possession
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|
[12]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
MIA
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Dolphins
|
Game Statistics
|
Colts
|
|
First downs
|
|
|
Rushes–yards
|
|
|
Passing yards
|
|
|
Passes
|
|
|
Sacked–yards
|
|
|
Net passing yards
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|
|
Total yards
|
|
|
Return yards
|
|
|
Punts
|
|
|
Fumbles–lost
|
|
|
Penalties–yards
|
|
|
Time of possession
|
|
[13]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
CAR
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Colts
|
Game Statistics
|
Panthers
|
|
First downs
|
|
|
Rushes–yards
|
|
|
Passing yards
|
|
|
Passes
|
|
|
Sacked–yards
|
|
|
Net passing yards
|
|
|
Total yards
|
|
|
Return yards
|
|
|
Punts
|
|
|
Fumbles–lost
|
|
|
Penalties–yards
|
|
|
Time of possession
|
|
Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars
edit
During the initial kickoff, the Jaguars kicked the ball Return Specialist Aaron Bailey, who found a gap and sprinted 95 yards for a touchdown. The Jaguars countered by moving the ball to the Colts' 9–yard line; however, K Mike Hollis's 27–yard field goal attempt was blocked. In response, the Colts scored another touchdown, with Bailey catching a 14–yard pass. A 45–yard completion to WR Willie Jackson contributed to a Jaguars touchdown. After a Colts punt, WR Cedric Tillman attempted to return it but fumbled, allowing Colts' DB Derwin Gray to recover the ball, which set up another Colts touchdown. On the following drive, Jaguars' QB Mark Brunell was intercepted by DB Eugene Daniel, who returned it to Jacksonville's 3–yard line. Nevertheless, the Colts were unable to score a touchdown and opted for a field goal, concluding the first half with the Colts leading 24–7. The Jaguars commenced the second half with a successful field goal drive, which was promptly matched by the Colts with a field goal of their own. As the fourth quarter began, the Jaguars executed a touchdown drive. They attempted an onside kick, but the Colts recovered it, leading to a subsequent touchdown for the Colts. In response, the Jaguars quickly scored a touchdown in just four plays, highlighted by a 31–yard pass to Jackson. The Jaguars attempted another onside kick, but the Colts recovered once more and added another touchdown to their tally. In the closing minutes, the Jaguars mounted a drive where Brunell connected with Jackson for a passing touchdown. They made a third attempt at an onside kick, but the Colts again recovered, ultimately securing a 41–31 victory in their inaugural matchup.
[14]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
SD
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Chargers
|
Game Statistics
|
Colts
|
|
First downs
|
|
|
Rushes–yards
|
|
|
Passing yards
|
|
|
Passes
|
|
|
Sacked–yards
|
|
|
Net passing yards
|
|
|
Total yards
|
|
|
Return yards
|
|
|
Punts
|
|
|
Fumbles–lost
|
|
|
Penalties–yards
|
|
|
Time of possession
|
|
[15]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
NE
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Patriots
|
Game Statistics
|
Colts
|
|
First downs
|
|
|
Rushes–yards
|
|
|
Passing yards
|
|
|
Passes
|
|
|
Sacked–yards
|
|
|
Net passing yards
|
|
|
Total yards
|
|
|
Return yards
|
|
|
Punts
|
|
|
Fumbles–lost
|
|
|
Penalties–yards
|
|
|
Time of possession
|
|
The team received Wild-Card playoff berth for the playoffs and traveled to San Diego to play the Chargers. They went on to beat the Chargers, their 1st playoff win in 24 years and 1st in Indianapolis. They also won their Divisional Round game against the No. 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs but would fall short in the AFC Championship game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This game indirectly led to the adoption of instant replay.
Playoff Game summaries
edit
[16]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
SD
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Colts
|
Game Statistics
|
Chargers
|
|
First downs
|
|
|
Rushes–yards
|
|
|
Passing yards
|
|
|
Passes
|
|
|
Sacked–yards
|
|
|
Net passing yards
|
|
|
Total yards
|
|
|
Return yards
|
|
|
Punts
|
|
|
Fumbles–lost
|
|
|
Penalties–yards
|
|
|
Time of possession
|
|
[17]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
KC
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Colts
|
Game Statistics
|
Chiefs
|
|
First downs
|
|
|
Rushes–yards
|
|
|
Passing yards
|
|
|
Passes
|
|
|
Sacked–yards
|
|
|
Net passing yards
|
|
|
Total yards
|
|
|
Return yards
|
|
|
Punts
|
|
|
Fumbles–lost
|
|
|
Penalties–yards
|
|
|
Time of possession
|
|
[18]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
IND
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
PIT
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Colts
|
Game Statistics
|
Steelers
|
|
First downs
|
|
|
Rushes–yards
|
|
|
Passing yards
|
|
|
Passes
|
|
|
Sacked–yards
|
|
|
Net passing yards
|
|
|
Total yards
|
|
|
Return yards
|
|
|
Punts
|
|
|
Fumbles–lost
|
|
|
Penalties–yards
|
|
|
Time of possession
|
|