As of 2025, this is the deepest postseason run the Colts have ever had in the post-Peyton Manning era, and the only season since2009 where they have made the AFC Championship Game. This also represents the most recent AFC South title for the Colts.
On May 16, it was announced the outside linebackerRobert Mathis was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating theleague's substance-abuse policy.[29] It was reported that Mathis took the drug Clomid, a male fertility drug.[29] Greg Aiello, a spokesperson for the league said that the drug was not approved for fertility use in males by theFDA and has been banned by the league for years.[29] It was announced on May 20 that the league would not hear Mathis' appeal on the suspension.[30]
July 25: Running backVick Ballard suffered a torn left Achilles tendon on the second day of training camp and was later placed on the injured reserve.[32]
July 31: Left guardDonald Thomas suffered a torn right quad during training camp, which required season ending surgery.[33]
September 8: Outside linebackerRobert Mathis suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a personal workout.[34] Mathis, who was suspended the first four game of the season, was later placed on the injured reserve and ruled out for the remainder of the season.[34]
The Colts began the season on the road against the defendingAFC championDenver Broncos. The Colts began the game on offense, driving down to the Broncos' 36-yard line. However, following a delay of game penalty, they were forced to punt.Peyton Manning led the Broncos' offense on a 16-play drive, but would settle only for a field goal, giving Denver a 3–0 lead. AnAndrew Luck interception on the Colts' ensuing offensive possession set the Broncos up at midfield and would lead to a touchdown on a pass from Manning toJulius Thomas to give the Broncos a 10–0 lead. After a three and out from the Colts' offense, Manning and the Broncos again take advantage and drive 83-yard to score on another Thomas touchdown reception. Late in the second quarter, the Broncos again scored on a touchdown pass from Manning to Thomas and extended Denver's lead to 24–0 with two minutes remaining in the half. The Colts put together an 8-play, 80-yard drive to end the half and scored their first points on a 9-yard run from Luck, making the score 24–7 in favor of Denver at halftime.[35]
The Broncos' began the second half on offense, though they were eventually forced to punt. After driving into the red zone on their first offensive possession of the half, the Colts' failed to convert a fourth down on the goal line and turned the ball over on downs. The Colts' next offensive possession would again stall in the red zone, with the Colts settling for anAdam Vinatieri field goal, cutting the Bronco lead to 24–10. A 48-yard drive early in the fourth quarter gave the Broncos as 31–10 lead after aMontee Ball touchdown run. The Colts would respond on their next drive with a touchdown pass from Luck toDwayne Allen, cutting the Broncos' lead down to two scores. The Colts failed to take advantage of a recovered onside kick, after Luck threw an interception in Broncos' territory. After the Colts defense forced a three and out, Luck again drove the Colts down to the goal line, eventually scoring on a touchdown pass toHakeem Nicks. After again stopping the Broncos' offense, the Colts received the ball with a little under three minutes remaining in the game and a change to tie the game. Though the Colts would drive into Bronco territory, the drive would end after a failed fourth down pass attempt from Luck toReggie Wayne.[35] With the loss, the Colts began the season with an 0–1 record.
After losing to the Broncos in the season opener, the Colts faced thePhiladelphia Eagles in their first home game of the season onMonday night. After a three and out on the Colts' opening possession, the Eagles, led by quarterbackNick Foles, drove down the field and settled for a 31-yard field goal to give them an early 3–0 lead. On their ensuing offensive drive, the Colts drove 72 yards in nine plays and scored on anAndrew Luck touchdown pass toAhmad Bradshaw, giving the Colts their first lead at 7–3. The Colts extended their lead early in the second quarter on a 46-yardAdam Vinatieri field goal to 10–3. Later in the second quarter, the Eagles closed the gap after a 23-yard field goal fromCody Parkey. The next Colts possession ended in a Luck touchdown pass toJack Doyle, extending their lead to 17–6 at halftime.[36]
The Colts scored on their second offensive possession of the third quarter, with a field goal from Vinatieri, giving the Colts a two possession lead at 20–6. Philadelphia responded on their next drive after driving 80 yards in seven plays and scoring on 1-yard touchdown run fromLeSean McCoy, making the score 20–13. After a fumble by running backTrent Richardson on the Colts next offensive possession, set up the Eagles to tie the game on a 19-yard touchdown run fromDarren Sproles. On the first possession of the fourth quarter, the Colts offense drive 80 yards to reclaim the lead on a pass from Luck to Bradshaw and giving the Colts a 27–20 lead. The Colts failed to put away the Eagles, after Luck threw an interception during a play that involved a controversial no-call penalty on the Colts next offensive drive, which set up a five play drive, that allowed the Eagles to tie the game at 27–27.[37] After a three and out on the next Colts possession, the Eagles took possession of the ball at their own forty yard line. Foles and the Eagles offense drove 42 yards to the Colts 18 yard line, with Parkey hitting a 36-yard field goal as time expired, which gave the Eagles the 30–27 victory.[36] With the loss, the Colts dropped to 0–2 for only the third time since1998.
After back-to-back losses to begin the season, the Colts faced theirAFC South rival, theJacksonville Jaguars. The Colts opened the game on offense and put together a twelve play, 50-yard drive that ended in anAdam Vinatieri field goal, giving the Colts an early 3–0 lead. Following a three and out forced by the Colts defense,Andrew Luck again drove the offense down the field, this time scoring on a touchdown throwAhmad Bradshaw, extending the Colts' lead to 10–0 at the end of the first quarter. The Colts again extended their lead early in the second quarter on a pass from Luck toDwayne Allen. The Jaguars were again stopped by the Colts defense on their next offensive possession, with the Colts defense preventing the Jaguars for converting a first down on their first three possessions. The Colts' offense, though they would deep into Jaguars' territory, were forced to settle for Vinatieri field goals on their next two offensive possessions, giving them a 23–0 lead. After a fumble recovery byDarius Butler late in the first half, they were set up with good field position in Jaguars territory. A Luck touchdown pass toCoby Fleener extended the Colts' lead to 30–0 at halftime.[38]
After struggling to move the ball in the first half, the Jaguars replaced quarterbackChad Henne with rookieBlake Bortles. The Jaguars were able to convert a first down on their first drive of the half, though they were forced to punt following a penalty that sent them back to midfield. On the Jaguars' next possession, they again drove into Colts' territory, enough to get their first points of the game on a 41-yard field goal fromJosh Scobee. At the end of the third quarter, the Colts continued to hold a commanding 30–3 lead. The Colts scored their first points of the second half on a pass from Luck toHakeem Nicks early in the fourth quarter. Bortles threw his first career touchdown pass on the Jaguars' next possession, throwing it toAllen Hurns. With the large lead late in the game, the Colts replaced Luck with backup quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck. Late in the fourth quarter the Colts defense extended the lead, with an interception returned for a touchdown byGreg Toler. A Bortles pass toCecil Shorts III was the last scoring play of the game, giving the Colts the 44–17 win.[38]
At the end of the game, Andrew Luck completed 31 of 39 pass attempts for 370 yards and four touchdown passes, which earned him the honor of AFC Offensive Player of the Week.[39] The game marked the first win of the season for the Colts and improved their overall record to 1–2.
As of2025, this remains the last time the Colts defeated the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
IND – Reggie Wayne 28-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 8:15.Colts 27–10.Drive: 9 plays, 91 yards, 4:04.
IND – Coby Fleener 2-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 4:02.Colts 34–10.Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 2:04.
TEN –Bishop Sankey 2-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 0:35.Colts 34–17.Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:27.
Fourth quarter
IND – Ahmad Bradshaw 15-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 9:56.Colts 41–17.Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:39.
Top passers
TEN – Charlie Whitehurst – 12/23, 177 yards, TD, INT
IND – Andrew Luck – 29/41, 393 yards, 4 TD, INT
Top rushers
TEN – Charlie Whitehurst – 5 rushes, 40 yards
IND – Trent Richardson – 20 rushes, 47 yards, TD
Top receivers
TEN – Delanie Walker – 5 receptions, 84 yards, TD
IND – Reggie Wayne – 7 receptions, 119 yards, TD
Following their first win of the season, the Colts faced another divisional rival in theTennessee Titans. After being forced to punt on their first offensive drive, the Colts' defense forced a fumble that was recovered byRicky Jean-Francois and set up the Colts inside Titan territory. After a 37-yard pass from quarterbackAndrew Luck toT. Y. Hilton set the Colts up at the one yard line,Trent Richardson scored on the next play, putting the Colts up 7–0. An onside kick gave the ball back to the Colts, which led to an eleven play, 44-yard drive that ended in a touchdown pass from Luck toDwayne Allen. The Colts' defense again forced a turnover on the Titans' next possession, withCharlie Whitehurst throwing an interception toMike Adams. Luck and the Colts' offense again drove down the field, though this time having to settle for a field goal, extending the lead to 17–0. Tennessee scored their first points midway through the second quarter on aRyan Succop. The Colts responded on their next possession with a 30-yard field goal fromAdam Vinatieri. A Luck interception late in the half, set up the Titans in Colts' territory and allowed them to score on a pass from Whitehurst toDelanie Walker, cutting the Colts' lead to 20–10 at halftime.[40]
The Colts' scored on their first offensive possession of the second half, on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Luck toReggie Wayne and then later in the quarter on a pass from Luck toCoby Fleener, extending the Colts' lead to 34–10. Tennessee responded with an eight play, 80-yard drive that ended with a touchdown run fromBishop Sankey. Luck completed his fourth touchdown pass of the game early in the fourth quarter, this time on a 15-yard pass toAhmad Bradshaw, giving the Colts a 41–17 lead. Late in the game, Adams again forced another turnover, withZach Mettenberger throwing the interception.[40]
During the game, Reggie Wayne caught seven passes for 119 yards and one touchdown, which was enough to move him to seventh on the NFL all-time receptions list and tenth on the most receiving yards list.[41] With the win, the Colts improved to 2–2.
Following back to back wins over division rivals, the Colts' returned toLucas Oil Stadium to face theBaltimore Ravens.Andrew Luck and the Colts' offense drove 59 yards on their first offensive possession, with the drive ending on a turnover after the Colts failed to convert a fourth down. On the first play of the Ravens' offensive possession,Steve Smith fumbled the ball, which was then recovered byMontori Hughes of the Colts. The Colts settled for a 38-yard field goal byAdam Vinatieri, giving then an early 3–0 lead. A muffed punt return byJacoby Jones resulted in a second Ravens' turnover, however, on the ensuing Colts' drive,Haloti Ngata intercepted Luck, their first turnover of the game. After a stalled Ravens' drive early in the second quarter, the Colts drove 70 yards in 20 plays, though they again settled for a Vinatieri. The Ravens responded, scoring on a 52-yard field goal fromJustin Tucker as time expired, cutting the Colts' lead to 6–3 at halftime.[42]
The Ravens opened the second half on offense and committed their third turnover on aJoe Flacco interception byVontae Davis. The Colts' took advantage of the turnover, by scoring their first touchdown on a Luck touchdown pass fromDwayne Allen, giving them a 13–3 lead. The Ravens' defense again stepped up later in the third quarter, forcing the Colts' second turnover on a Luck interception byC.J. Mosley, which resulted in a second Tucker field goal. The Colts again extended their lead early in the fourth quarter on a Luck touchdown run, which gave the Colts a two possession lead at 20–6. The Ravens closed the gap again on their ensuing possession,Justin Forsett 11-yard touchdown run, cutting the lead back to one possession. After driving down to the Ravens' 10-yard line, Colts running backAhmad Bradshaw fumbled the ball, giving the Ravens possession with under two minutes remaining in the game. The Colts' defense forced a turnover on downs and sealed the 20–13 win.[42] With the win, the Colts improved to 3–2.
Following three straight wins, the Colts traveled toNRG Stadium for a divisional matchup against theHouston Texans onThursday Night Football. The Colts' defense forced a three and out on the first possession of the game. The Colts settled for a 27-yardAdam Vinatieri field goal to give them a 3–0 lead. Following a recovered onside kick by the Colts, the Colts scored in two plays on aTrent Richardson touchdown run. On the Colts' next offensive drive, they scored on a touchdown pass fromAndrew Luck toAhmad Bradshaw, extending their lead to 17–0. ACoby Fleener touchdown pass from Luck capped off the first quarter, with the Colts leading 24–0. After failing to convert a first down the entire first quarter, the Texans moved the chains on their first possession of the second quarter, and following an 11-play drive, scored their first points on a touchdown pass fromRyan Fitzpatrick toAndre Johnson. Houston linebackerJustin Tuggle intercepted Luck on the Colts' next offensive possession, which set up a 3-play, 26-yard drive that ended with anArian Foster touchdown run, closing Colts' lead to 24–14. The Colts responded with a 15-play drive that ended in a Vinatieri field goal, and extended their lead to 27–14 going into halftime.[43]
The Texans scored the first points on the second half on their offensive possession, scoring on another Foster touchdown run, which cut the Colts lead to one possession. Luck and the Colts responded on their ensuing possession, driving 80 yards and scoring on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Luck toT. Y. Hilton. After a failed two-point conversion attempt, the Colts led 33–21 at the end of the third quarter. Midway through the fourth quarter, Texans' defensive endJ. J. Watt forced a fumble that was returned for 45-yards for a touchdown and again closing the Colts' lead to one possession. Fumbles on the two ensuing Texan possessions ensured the Colts' 33–28 win.[43]
PunterPat McAfee was recognized for his league best 44.8 yard punt average, as well as his third successful onside kick of the season, by being named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[44] With the win, the Colts improved to 4–2, winning four straight games, as well as their tenth straight win within the division, dating back to the2012 season.[45]
With the win, the Colts clinched the AFC South title for a second consecutive season while improving to 10–4 and 13–0 against the Texans at home. As of 2025, this marks the last time the Colts clinched the AFC South.
With the win, the Colts finished the season 11–5 for the third straight year, good enough for the AFC's #4 seed. This would be their 13th straight win over a division rival as they improved to 16–2 against divisional opponents overall under Andrew Luck.[46]
With the upset win, the Colts defeated their former quarterback Peyton Manning and they advanced to the AFC Championship. As of 2025, this marked the last time the Colts won a Divisional Round game.
^abNew England defeated Denver head-to-head (Week 9, 43–21).
^abPittsburgh defeated Indianapolis head-to-head (Week 8, 51–34).
^abcdKansas City finished ahead of San Diego in the AFC West based on head-to-head sweep (Week 7, 23–20;Week 17, 19–7). Houston finished ahead of Kansas City and Buffalo based on conference record. Kansas City finished ahead of Buffalo based on head-to-head victory (Week 10, 17–13). San Diego finished ahead of Buffalo based on head-to-head victory (Week 3, 22–10).
^abJacksonville finished ahead of Oakland based on record vs. common opponents (1–4 to 0–5).
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
^Wagoner, Nick (January 11, 2014)."Rams-related playoff notes: Divisional round".ESPN.com. RetrievedFebruary 15, 2014.Indianapolis cornerback Josh Gordy, whom the Rams receive a seventh-round draft choice for this year from a 2012 trade, made a big play to keep the Colts alive and will play the Patriots tonight.
