43rd season in franchise history
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 [ edit ]
Undrafted free agents [ edit ]
1995 Indianapolis Colts staff
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
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
Strength and conditioning – Tom Zupancic
Preseason Game summaries [ edit ]
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, 1995Game time : 7:30 p.m. EST Game attendance : 39,946TV : WTTV
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
CIN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Bengals
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
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, 1995Game time : 9:00 p.m. EST Game attendance : 38,006TV : WTTV
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SEA
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Colts
Game Statistics
Seahawks
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
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, 1995Game time : 12 Noon EST Game attendance : 55,624TV : WTTV
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
GB
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Colts
Game Statistics
Packers
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
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
at New York Jets
W 27–24 (OT)
1–1
Giants Stadium
65,134
Recap
3
September 17
at Buffalo 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
at Miami 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
at Oakland 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
at New Orleans Saints
L 14–17
5–5
Louisiana Superdome
44,122
Recap
12
November 19
at New 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
at Carolina Panthers
L 10–13
7–6
Memorial Stadium
49,841
Recap
15
December 10
at Jacksonville 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 in bold text.
[ 2]
Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
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
at RCA Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
CIN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Bengals
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
Game information
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.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
IND – Sean Dawkins – 5 receptions, 60 yards, TD
NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 4 receptions, 68 yards
[ 3]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
BUF
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Colts
Game Statistics
Bills
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
[ 4]
Week 5: St. Louis Rams at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Rams (4–1)
7
3
0 8 18
Colts (2–2)
7
7
7 0 21
at RCA Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
STL
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Rams
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
[ 5]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
MIA
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Colts
Game Statistics
Dolphins
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
[ 6]
Week 7: San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
49ers (4–2)
0
7
7 3 17
Colts (4–2)
3
3
9 3 18
at RCA Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SF
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
49ers
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
[ 7]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
OAK
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Colts
Game Statistics
Raiders
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
[ 8]
Week 9: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Jets (2–7)
3
0
0 7 10
Colts (5–3)
3
14
0 0 17
at RCA Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
NYJ
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Jets
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
[ 9]
Week 10: Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Bills (6–3)
10
6
0 0 16
Colts (5–4)
7
0
3 0 10
at RCA Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
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
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
[ 10]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NO
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Colts
Game Statistics
Saints
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
[ 11]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
IND
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NE
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Colts
Game Statistics
Patriots
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
[ 12]
Week 13: Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Dolphins (6–6)
0
6
8 14 28
Colts (7–5)
14
10
2 10 36
at RCA Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
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
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]
Week 16: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers (8–7)
7
0
7 13 27
Colts (8–7)
3
7
0 14 24
at RCA Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
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]
Week 17: New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Patriots (6–10)
0
7
0 0 7
Colts (9–7)
0
0
7 3 10
at RCA Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
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
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (16) Conference championships (7) League championships (5) Retired numbers Media Current league affiliations
Played in Baltimore (1953–1983)