| 1995 Indianapolis Colts season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Robert Irsay |
| General manager | Bill Tobin |
| Head coach | Ted Marchibroda |
| Offensive coordinator | Lindy Infante |
| Defensive coordinator | Vince Tobin |
| Home stadium | RCA Dome |
| Results | |
| Record | 9–7 |
| Division place | 2ndAFC East |
| Playoffs | WonWild Card Playoffs (atChargers) 35–20 WonDivisional Playoffs (atChiefs) 10–7 LostAFC Championship (atSteelers)16–20 |
The1995Indianapolis Coltsseason was the 43rd season for the team in theNational Football League and 12th inIndianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished theNational Football League's 1995 season with a record of 9 wins and 7 losses, and finished tied for second in theAFCEast division with theMiami 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 since1987, largely due to the insertion ofJim 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 championSan 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-seededKansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Playoffs. The Colts would fall short in the AFC Championship Game against thePittsburgh Steelers, in a game that came down to the final play.
| Round | Overall | Name | Position | Expansion team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 26 | Dewell Brewer | Running Back | Carolina Panthers |
| 27 | 54 | Paul Butcher | Linebacker | Carolina Panthers |
| 1995 Indianapolis Colts draft | |||||
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Ellis Johnson | Defensive tackle | Florida | |
| 2 | 48 | Ken Dilger * | Tight end | Illinois | |
| 3 | 79 | Zack Crockett | Fullback | Florida State | |
| 4 | 114 | Ray McElroy | Cornerback | Eastern Illinois | |
| 5 | 149 | Derek West | Tackle | Colorado | |
| 6 | 187 | Brian Gelzheiser | Linebacker | Penn State | |
| Made roster * Made at least onePro Bowl during career | |||||
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Bronson | Wide receiver | Baylor |
| Conrad Clarks | Defensive back | Northeast Louisiana |
| Steve Morrison | Linebacker | Michigan |
| Marcus Pollard | Tight end | Bradley |
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
| Quarterbacks(QB) Running backs(RB) Wide receivers(WR) Tight ends(TE) | Offensive linemen(OL) | Linebackers(LB)
Defensive backs(DB)
Special teams(ST) | Practice squad Reserve Rookies in italics 53 active, 4 reserve, 1 practice squad |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 4 | Cincinnati Bengals | L 21–34 | 0–1 | RCA Dome | 39,946 | |
| 2 | August 12 | atSeattle Seahawks | W 20–17 | 1–1 | Kingdome | 38,006 | |
| 3 | August 19 | atGreen Bay Packers | W 20–17(OT) | 2–1 | Lambeau Field | 55,624 | |
| 4 | August 24 | Chicago Bears | W 29–7 | 3–1 | RCA Dome | 45,626 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | 7 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 34 |
| Colts | 3 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 21 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
| Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 17 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 6 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 20 |
| Packers | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game Site | Attendance | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 3 | Cincinnati Bengals | L 21–24(OT) | 0–1 | RCA Dome | 42,445 | Recap |
| 2 | September 10 | atNew York Jets | W 27–24(OT) | 1–1 | Giants Stadium | 65,134 | Recap |
| 3 | September 17 | atBuffalo Bills | L 14–20 | 1–2 | Rich Stadium | 62,499 | Recap |
| 4 | Bye | ||||||
| 5 | October 1 | St. Louis Rams | W 21–18 | 2–2 | RCA Dome | 58,616 | Recap |
| 6 | October 8 | atMiami Dolphins | W 27–24(OT) | 3–2 | Joe Robbie Stadium | 68,471 | Recap |
| 7 | October 15 | San Francisco 49ers | W 18–17 | 4–2 | RCA Dome | 60,273 | Recap |
| 8 | October 22 | atOakland Raiders | L 17–30 | 4–3 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 53,543 | Recap |
| 9 | October 29 | New York Jets | W 17–10 | 5–3 | RCA Dome | 49,250 | Recap |
| 10 | November 5 | Buffalo Bills | L 10–16 | 5–4 | RCA Dome | 59,612 | Recap |
| 11 | November 12 | atNew Orleans Saints | L 14–17 | 5–5 | Louisiana Superdome | 44,122 | Recap |
| 12 | November 19 | atNew England Patriots | W 24–10 | 6–5 | Foxboro Stadium | 59,544 | Recap |
| 13 | November 26 | Miami Dolphins | W 36–28 | 7–5 | RCA Dome | 60,414 | Recap |
| 14 | December 3 | atCarolina Panthers | L 10–13 | 7–6 | Memorial Stadium | 49,841 | Recap |
| 15 | December 10 | atJacksonville Jaguars | W 41–31 | 8–6 | Jacksonville Municipal Stadium | 66,099 | Recap |
| 16 | December 17 | San Diego Chargers | L 24–27 | 8–7 | RCA Dome | 55,318 | Recap |
| 17 | December 23 | New England Patriots | W 10–7 | 9–7 | RCA Dome | 54,685 | Recap |
| Note: Intra-division opponents are inbold text. | |||||||
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals (1–0) | 3 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
| Colts (0–1) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 21 |
atRCA Dome,Indianapolis, Indiana
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 27 |
| Jets | 14 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
atGiants Stadium,East Rutherford, New Jersey
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts (1–2) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Bills (2–1) | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
atRich Stadium,Orchard Park, New York
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams (4–1) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 18 |
| Colts (2–2) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
atRCA Dome,Indianapolis, Indiana
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts (3–2) | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 27 |
| Dolphins (4–1) | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
atJoe Robbie Stadium,Miami Gardens, Florida
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers (4–2) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Colts (4–2) | 3 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 18 |
atRCA Dome,Indianapolis, Indiana
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts (4–3) | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Raiders (6–2) | 7 | 3 | 17 | 3 | 30 |
atOakland–Alameda County Coliseum,Oakland, California
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jets (2–7) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Colts (5–3) | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
atRCA Dome,Indianapolis, Indiana
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills (6–3) | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Colts (5–4) | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
atRCA Dome,Indianapolis, Indiana
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts (5–5) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Saints (4–6) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
atLouisiana Superdome,New Orleans, Louisiana
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts (6–5) | 0 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Patriots (4–7) | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
atFoxboro Stadium,Foxborough, Massachusetts
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins (6–6) | 0 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 28 |
| Colts (7–5) | 14 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 36 |
atRCA Dome,Indianapolis, Indiana
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts (7–6) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Panthers (6–7) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
atMemorial Stadium,Clemson, South Carolina
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 14 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 41 |
| Jaguars | 0 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 31 |
atJacksonville Municipal Stadium,Jacksonville, Florida
On the opening kickoff, Colts return specialistAaron Bailey, found a gap and sprinted 95 yards for a touchdown. The Jaguars countered by moving the ball to the Colts' 9–yard line; however,Mike Hollis' 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 wide receiverWillie Jackson contributed to a Jaguars touchdown, cutting the Colts lead to 7 early in the second quarter. After a Colts punt,Cedric Tillman fumbled the ball during the return, with the Colts'Derwin Gray recovering the ball, which set up another Colts touchdown. On the following drive, Jaguars' quarterbackMark Brunell was intercepted by cornerbackEugene 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 the Colts promptly matched with a field goal of their own. As the fourth quarter began, the Jaguars executed a touchdown drive, reducing the Colts lead to 10. They attempted an onside kick, but the Colts recovered, 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 another 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.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers (8–7) | 7 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 27 |
| Colts (8–7) | 3 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
atRCA Dome,Indianapolis, Indiana
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriots (6–10) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Colts (9–7) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
atRCA Dome,Indianapolis, Indiana
| AFC East | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| (3)Buffalo Bills | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 350 | 335 | L1 |
| (5)Indianapolis Colts | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 331 | 316 | W1 |
| (6)Miami Dolphins | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 398 | 332 | W1 |
| New England Patriots | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 294 | 377 | L2 |
| New York Jets | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 233 | 384 | L4 |
The team received a Wild-Card playoff berth for the playoffs and traveled toSan Diego to play the Chargers. They went on to beat the Chargers, their first playoff win in 24 years and first since moving to Indianapolis. They also won their Divisional Round game against the #1 seed Kansas City Chiefs but would fall short in theAFC Championship game to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
| Playoff Round | Date | Opponent (seed) | Result | Record | Game Site | Attendance | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card | December 31, 1995 | atSan Diego Chargers (4) | W 35–20 | 1–0 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 61,182 | Recap |
| Divisional | January 7, 1996 | atKansas City Chiefs (1) | W 10–7 | 2–0 | Arrowhead Stadium | 77,594 | Recap |
| Conference Championship | January 14, 1996 | atPittsburgh Steelers (2) | L16–20 | 2–1 | Three Rivers Stadium | 61,062 | Recap |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 0 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
| Chargers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
atJack Murphy Stadium,San Diego, California
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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| Colts | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
atArrowhead Stadium,Kansas City, Missouri
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| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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| Colts | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
| Steelers | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
atThree Rivers Stadium,Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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| Franchise | |
| Stadiums | |
| Culture | |
| Lore | |
| Rivalries | |
| Division championships (16) | |
| Conference championships (7) | |
| League championships (5) | |
| Retired numbers | |
| Media | |
| Current league affiliations |
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