List of Indianapolis Colts seasons

Then-president George W. Bush congratulates the Colts on their Super Bowl XLI victory.

The Indianapolis Colts, formerly the Baltimore Colts, are an American football team playing in the National Football League (NFL). The list documents the season-by-season records of the Colts franchise from 1953 to present, including postseason records and league awards for individual players or head coaches. In 1953, a Baltimore-based group led by Carroll Rosenbloom gained the rights to a new Baltimore franchise. Rosenbloom was granted an NFL team, and was awarded the holdings of the defunct Dallas Texans organization.^[1] The new team was named the Colts after the previous team that folded after the 1950 NFL season.^[2] After 31 seasons in Baltimore, Colts owner Robert Irsay moved the team to Indianapolis.^[3]

The Colts have won two Super Bowl championships (Super Bowl V and Super Bowl XLI). They also played in and lost Super Bowl III and Super Bowl XLIV. Before the AFL and NFL merged in 1970,^[4] they won three NFL Championships (1958, 1959, and 1968). In their 56-year history (through the 2009 season), they have an overall regular-season record of 441 wins, 390 losses, and 7 ties. They have made 22 postseason appearances, and have an overall postseason record of 19 wins and 18 losses. By winning Super Bowl XLI the Colts became the first team that played its home games in a domed stadium to win a Super Bowl held in an outdoor stadium.^[5]

Since Colts owner Jim Irsay hired Tony Dungy in 2002,^[6] the Colts have made the playoffs every year and compiled a 99–29 record. They won five straight AFC South titles from 2003 to 2007 and had seven consecutive seasons of 12 or more victories from 2003 to 2009, the first time that has been achieved in the NFL's 90-year history.^[7] Much of this recent success is attributed to the trio of Bill Polian, Dungy, and Peyton Manning.^[8]

NFL champions (1920–1969) †

Super Bowl champions (1970–present) ‡

Conference champions *

Division champions §

Wild card berth ¤

One-game playoff berth ^

Season	Team	League	Conference	Division	Regular season[a]				Postseason results	Awards[b][c]
					Finish	Won	Lost	Ties
Baltimore Colts (1953–1983)
1953	1953	NFL	Western	—	5th	3	9	0
1954	1954	NFL	Western	—	6th	3	9	0
1955	1955	NFL	Western	—	4th	5	6	1		Alan Ameche (NFL ROY)[9]
1956	1956	NFL	Western	—	4th	5	7	0		Bert Rechichar (Pro Bowl MVP)[10] Lenny Moore (NFL ROY)[11]
1957	1957	NFL	Western	—	3rd	7	5	0
1958	1958	NFL †	Western *	—	1st *	9	3	0	Won NFL Championship (1)[d] (Giants) 23–17 †
1959	1959	NFL †	Western *	—	1st *	9	3	0	Won NFL Championship (2) (Giants) 31–16 †	Johnny Unitas (Pro Bowl MVP)[12]
1960	1960	NFL	Western	—	4th	6	6	0		Johnny Unitas (Pro Bowl MVP)[12]
1961	1961	NFL	Western	—	T-3rd	8	6	0
1962	1962	NFL	Western	—	4th	7	7	0
1963	1963	NFL	Western	—	3rd	8	6	0		Johnny Unitas (Pro Bowl MVP)[13]
1964	1964	NFL	Western *	—	1st *	12	2	0	Lost NFL Championship (Browns) 27–0	Johnny Unitas (MVP)[14] Don Shula (COY)[15]
1965	1965	NFL	Western	—	2nd ^	10	3	1	Lost Conference Playoff Game (Packers) 13–10
1966	1966	NFL	Western	—	2nd	9	5	0
1967[e]	1967	NFL	Western	Coastal	2nd	11	1	2		Johnny Unitas (MVP)[14] Don Shula (COY)[15]
1968	1968	NFL †	Western *	Coastal §	1st §	13	1	0	Won Divisional Playoffs (Vikings) 24–14 Won NFL Championship (3) (Browns) 34–0 Lost Super Bowl III (Jets) 16–7 †	Earl Morrall (MVP)[16] Don Shula (COY)[15]
1969	1969	NFL	Western	Coastal	2nd	8	5	1
AFL–NFL Merger
1970	1970	NFL ‡	AFC *	AFC East §	1st §	11	2	1	Won Divisional Playoffs (Bengals) 17–0 Won Conference Championship (Raiders) 27–17 Won Super Bowl V (4) (Cowboys) 16–13 ‡	Johnny Unitas (MOY)[17]
1971	1971	NFL	AFC	East	2nd ¤	10	4	0	Won Divisional Playoffs (Browns) 20–3 Lost Conference Championship (Dolphins) 21–0
1972	1972	NFL	AFC	East	3rd	5	9	0
1973	1973	NFL	AFC	East	4th	4	10	0
1974	1974	NFL	AFC	East	5th	2	12	0
1975	1975	NFL	AFC	East §	T-1st[f] §	10	4	0	Lost Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) 28–10	Ted Marchibroda (COY)[18]
1976	1976	NFL	AFC	East §	T-1st[g] §	11	3	0	Lost Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) 40–14	Bert Jones (MVP & OPOY)[19]
1977	1977	NFL	AFC	East §	T-1st[h] §	10	4	0	Lost Divisional Playoffs (Raiders) 37–31 (2OT)[i]
1978	1978	NFL	AFC	East	5th	5	11	0
1979	1979	NFL	AFC	East	5th	5	11	0
1980	1980	NFL	AFC	East	4th	7	9	0
1981	1981	NFL	AFC	East	4th	2	14	0
1982	1982	NFL	AFC	[j]	14th	0	8	1
1983	1983	NFL	AFC	East	4th	7	9	0		Vernon Leroy Maxwell (DROY)[20]
Indianapolis Colts (1984–Present)
1984	1984	NFL	AFC	East	4th	4	12	0
1985	1985	NFL	AFC	East	4th	5	11	0		Duane Bickett (DROY)[21]
1986	1986	NFL	AFC	East	5th	3	13	0
1987	1987	NFL	AFC	East §	1st[k] §	9	6	0	Lost Divisional Playoffs (Browns) 38–21
1988	1988	NFL	AFC	East	3rd	9	7	0
1989	1989	NFL	AFC	East	3rd	8	8	0
1990	1990	NFL	AFC	East	3rd	7	9	0
1991	1991	NFL	AFC	East	5th	1	15	0
1992	1992	NFL	AFC	East	3rd	9	7	0
1993	1993	NFL	AFC	East	5th	4	12	0
1994	1994	NFL	AFC	East	3rd	8	8	0		Marshall Faulk (AFC ROY & OROY)[22][23]
1995	1995	NFL	AFC	East	2nd ¤	9	7	0	Won Wild Card Playoffs (Chargers) 35–20 Won Divisional Playoffs (Chiefs) 10–7 Lost Conference Championship (Steelers) 20–16	Jim Harbaugh (AFC Off. POY & Co-CPY)[22][24] Marshall Faulk (Pro Bowl MVP)[25]
1996	1996	NFL	AFC	East	3rd ¤	9	7	0	Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Steelers) 42–14
1997	1997	NFL	AFC	East	5th	3	13	0
1998	1998	NFL	AFC	East	5th	3	13	0
1999	1999	NFL	AFC	East §	1st §	13	3	0	Lost Divisional Playoffs (Titans) 19–16	Edgerrin James (OROY)[26]
2000	2000	NFL	AFC	East	2nd ¤	10	6	0	Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Dolphins) 23–17 (OT)
2001	2001	NFL	AFC	East	4th	6	10	0
2002	2002	NFL	AFC	AFC South	2nd ¤	10	6	0	Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Jets) 41–0
2003	2003	NFL	AFC	South §	1st §	12	4	0	Won Wild Card Playoffs (Broncos) 41–10 Won Divisional Playoffs (Chiefs) 38–31 Lost Conference Championship (Patriots) 24–14	Peyton Manning (Co-MVP)[27]
2004	2004	NFL	AFC	South §	1st §	12	4	0	Won Wild Card Playoffs (Broncos) 49–24 Lost Divisional Playoffs (Patriots) 20–3	Peyton Manning (MVP & OPOY)[27][28]
2005	2005	NFL	AFC	South §	1st §	14	2	0	Lost Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) 21–18	Peyton Manning (Pro Bowl MVP & MOY)[29][30]
2006	2006	NFL ‡	AFC *	South §	1st §	12	4	0	Won Wild Card Playoffs (Chiefs) 23–8 Won Divisional Playoffs (Ravens) 15–6 Won Conference Championship (Patriots) 38–34 Won Super Bowl XLI (5) (Bears) 29–17 ‡	Peyton Manning (SB MVP)[31]
2007	2007	NFL	AFC	South §	1st §	13	3	0	Lost Divisional Playoffs (Chargers) 28–24[l]	Bob Sanders (DPOY)[32]
2008	2008	NFL	AFC	South	2nd ¤	12	4	0	Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Chargers) 23–17 (OT)	Peyton Manning (MVP)[27]
2009	2009	NFL	AFC *	South §	1st §	14	2	0	Won Divisional Playoffs (Ravens) 20–3 Won Conference Championship (Jets) 30–17 Lost Super Bowl XLIV (Saints) 31–17	Peyton Manning (MVP)[33]
2010	2010	NFL	AFC	South §	1st §	10	6	0	Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Jets) 17–16
Total						447	394	7	(1953–2010, includes only regular season)
						19	18	-	(1953–2010, includes only playoffs)
						466	412	7	(1953–2010, includes both regular season and playoffs)

Notes

• ^a The Finish, Won, Lost, and Ties columns list regular season results and exclude any postseason play. Regular season and postseason results are combined only at the bottom of the list.
• ^b All regular season MVPs listed are the Associated Press MVP. For the full list of other MVPs see National Football League Most Valuable Player Award.
• ^c All Coach of the Year Awards listed are the Associated Press award. For the full list of other coaching awards see National Football League Coach of the Year Award.
• ^d This game would be later known as The Greatest Game Ever Played.^[34]
• ^e The 1967 NFL season marks the first season in the league's history where the league was divided into two conferences which were subdivided into two divisions. Up to 1967, the league was either divided into two divisions, two conferences, or neither.^[35]
• ^f The Colts and Dolphins finished tied. However, the Colts finished ahead of Miami in the AFC East based on a head-to-head sweep (2–0).^[36]
• ^g The Colts and Patriots finished tied. However, the Colts finished ahead of New England based on a better division record (7–1 to Patriots' 6–2).^[37]
• ^h The Colts and Dolphins finished tied. However, the Colts finished ahead of Miami based on better conference record (9–3 to Dolphins' 8–4).^[37]
• ⁱ The game involved the infamous Ghost to the Post play.^[38]
• ^j 1982 was a strike-shortened season so the league was divided up into two conferences instead of its normal divisional alignment.^[39]
• ^k A 24 day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15, causing week 3 to be canceled.^[40]
• ^l This was the last game played in the RCA Dome.^[41]

References

General

• "Indianapolis Colts: History". CBS Sports. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/history/IND/indianapolis-colts. Retrieved November 21, 2010. 
• "Indianapolis Colts Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro Football Reference. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/. Retrieved November 21, 2010. 

Specific

1. ^ MacCambridge, Michael (2004). America's Game: The Epic Story of How Pro Football Captured a Nation. New York City: Random House. pp. 78–79. ISBN 0-375-50454-0. 
2. ^ "Baltimore Colts Back In League". The Times-News. United Press. February 4, 1953. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IWg1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=xCMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2046,1400214. Retrieved December 25, 2010. 
3. ^ "Colts: Team History". Pro Football Hall of Fame. http://www.profootballhof.com/history/team.aspx?franchise_id=14. Retrieved February 17, 2007. 
4. ^ "This Day In History – Jun 8, 1966: NFL and AFL announce merger". History. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nfl-and-afl-announce-merger. Retrieved December 25, 2010. 
5. ^ Trotter, Jim (February 5, 2007). "Colts prove naysayers wrong: Indianapolis becomes first dome team to win Super Bowl". The San Diego Union-Tribune. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070205/news_1s5sbside1.html. Retrieved December 25, 2010. 
6. ^ "Dungy hired as Colts head coach". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 22, 2002. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2002/01/22/dungy020122.html. Retrieved December 25, 2010. 
7. ^ Banks, Don (August 6, 2010). "Colts' history shows team should avoid Super Bowl hangover". CNN Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/don_banks/08/05/colts/index.html. Retrieved December 26, 2010. 
8. ^ Richard, Phil. "Greatness by Design". Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on December 25, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071225111706/http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712210359. Retrieved December 29, 2007. 
9. ^ "Alan Ameche Named Pro Rookie of Year". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press. December 19, 1955. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2WMbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LU4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=3172,1439433. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
10. ^ "Bert Rechichar Boots West to 19–10 Win". Sarasota Journal. Associated Press. January 11, 1957. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=swUdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=14oEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7076,1127430. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
11. ^ "Lenny Moore Pro Rookie of the Year". The Newburgh News. United Press. January 3, 1957. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y8NFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vr0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5935,238652. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
12. ^ ^{a b} Bacon, James (January 17, 1961). "Unitas Leads West To Bowl Win Over East". Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0TwmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5f4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=935,2476103. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
13. ^ "West Dominates Again; Wins Pro Bowl, 31–17". The Telegraph-Herald. Associated Press. January 13, 1964. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TnBFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hrwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4685,1327328. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
14. ^ ^{a b} "Johnny Unitas". Pro Football Reference. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UnitJo00.htm. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
15. ^ ^{a b c} "Shula Is Top Boss". Ocala Star-Banner. December 19, 1968. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yOEpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TgUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5896,5275585. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
16. ^ "Earl Now Number 1". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. December 19, 1968. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yOEpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TgUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2145,5275623. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
17. ^ "Unitas Voted NFL's Man Of The Year". The Morning Record. Associated Press. January 11, 1971. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yS1IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lgANAAAAIBAJ&pg=5666,1016541. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
18. ^ "Marchibroda is top coach". Rome News-Tribune. Associated Press. January 11, 1976. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2AUvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QTMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2435,1100696. Retrieved December 19, 2010. 
19. ^ "Colts' quarterback Bert Jones named 'Most Valuable Player'". Daily Union. Associated Press. December 30, 1976. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=N3JAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9lYMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5148,7098797. Retrieved December 19, 2010. 
20. ^ "Colts' linebacker named Defensive Rookie of Year". The Sumter Daily Item. Associated Press. December 22, 1983. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aaEiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vaoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1583,9415766. Retrieved December 19, 2010. 
21. ^ "Colts' Bickett notches rookie award on defense". The Fort Scott Tribune. Associated Press. January 2, 1986. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZvsfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zwMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4356,25475. Retrieved December 19, 2010. 
22. ^ ^{a b} 2009 ESPN Sports Almanac. New York City: ESPN Books. 2008. p. 279. ISBN 978-0-345-51172-0. 
23. ^ "Faulk runs away with Associated Press rookie honor". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Associated Press. December 28, 1994. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KcUjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F9EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3644,3380459. Retrieved December 19, 2010. 
24. ^ "AP Comeback Player of the Year winners". Pro Football Reference. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/award_apcpoy.htm. Retrieved December 21, 2010. 
25. ^ "Warren goes for 127". Ellensburg Daily Record. March 16, 1995. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ctYPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F48DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5505,2572234. Retrieved December 22, 2010. 
26. ^ "James claims 49 of 50 Rookie of the Year votes". The Argus-Press. Associated Press. January 11, 2000. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6VEiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hqwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1613,1098385. Retrieved December 18, 2010. 
27. ^ ^{a b c} "Peyton Manning wins record-tying third NFL MVP award". USA Today. Associated Press. January 3, 2009. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-01-02-manning-mvp_N.htm. Retrieved December 12, 2010. 
28. ^ Wilner, Barry (January 6, 2005). "No surprise: Manning wins Offensive Player". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BJg_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=I1YMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1843,1056812. Retrieved December 18, 2010. 
29. ^ Beacham, Greg (February 14, 2005). "Victory nothing major for Manning". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kmFWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mvADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6639,3187428. Retrieved December 18, 2010. 
30. ^ Mullin, John (February 5, 2006). "Payton Award goes to Peyton". The Chicago Tribune. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-02-05/sports/0602050434_1_connie-payton-colts-quarterback-peyton-manning-peyback-foundation. Retrieved December 18, 2010. 
31. ^ "Super Bowl History". National Football League. http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history. Retrieved December 12, 2010. 
32. ^ "AP picks Colts' Sanders as top defensive player". ESPN. Associated Press. January 7, 2008. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3185005. Retrieved December 12, 2010. 
33. ^ "Manning claims fourth MVP in landslide". ESPN. Associated Press. January 9, 2010. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4811050. Retrieved December 12, 2010. 
34. ^ "History Release: Greatest game ever played". Pro Football Hall of Fame. http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.aspx?release_id=1805. Retrieved January 1, 2011. 
35. ^ 2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book. New York City: Workman Publishing Company. 2000. pp. 295–299. ISBN 0-7611-1982-5. 
36. ^ 2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book, p. 294.
37. ^ ^{a b} 2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book, p. 293.
38. ^ Reid, Ron (January 2, 1978). "The Ghost To The Post". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093205/index.htm. Retrieved January 2, 2011. 
39. ^ 2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book, p. 292.
40. ^ "Chronology Of Professional Football" (PDF). National Football League. http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/history/pdfs/History/Chronology.pdf. Retrieved January 3, 2011. 
41. ^ Lapointe, Joe (January 14, 2008). "One Big Win, Two Huge Losses for Chargers". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/sports/football/14colts.html. Retrieved January 2, 2011. 

External links

• "NFL Football History". CBS Sportsline. http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/history. Retrieved February 17, 2007. 
• "NFL.com – History – Yearly Standings". National Football League Official Website. http://www.nfl.com/history/standings/. Retrieved February 17, 2007.