2021 Indianapolis Colts season

Last updated

2021 Indianapolis Colts season
Owner Jim Irsay
General manager Chris Ballard
Head coach Frank Reich
Home field Lucas Oil Stadium
Results
Record9–8
Division place2nd AFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros
5
Uniform
Colts football uniforms.png

The 2021 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 69th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 38th in Indianapolis. It was their fourth season under head coach Frank Reich and fifth under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard. Despite having 7 Pro Bowlers and 5 AP All-Pros, the Colts failed to improve upon their 11–5 record from the previous season, after a Week 12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Colts were eliminated from the postseason in the final week of the season after a stunning loss to the 2–14 Jacksonville Jaguars and the Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Baltimore Ravens the same day.

Contents

Draft

2021 Indianapolis Colts Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
1 21 Kwity Paye DE Michigan
254 Dayo Odeyingbo DE Vanderbilt
4127 Kylen Granson TE SMU
5165 Shawn Davis S Florida
6206 Sam Ehlinger QB Texas
7229 Michael Strachan WR Charleston
248 Will Fries OG Penn State

Pre-draft trades

Staff

2021 Indianapolis Colts staff

Front office

  • Owner – Jim Irsay
  • Vice chairwoman/co-owner – Carlie Irsay-Gordon
  • Vice chairwoman/co-owner – Casey Irsay-Foyt
  • Vice chairwoman/co-owner – Kalen Irsay-Jackson
  • General manager – Chris Ballard
  • Assistant general manager – Ed Dodds
  • Director of player personnel – Kevin Rogers Jr.
  • Director of football administration – Mike Bluem
  • Director of college scouting – Morocco Brown
  • Director of pro scouting – Jon Shaw
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Matt Tarpening
  • Senior player personnel scout – Todd Vasvari
  • Area scout - Jamie Moore
  • Director of player development – Brian Decker

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

Final roster

2021 Indianapolis Colts final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
52 active, 10 inactive, 16 practice squad (+2 exempt)

Preseason

The Colts' preseason opponents and results are mentioned as below:

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1August 15 Carolina Panthers W 21–181–0 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
2August 21at Minnesota Vikings W 12–102–0 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
3August 27at Detroit Lions W 27–173–0 Ford Field Recap

Regular season

Schedule

The Colts' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1 September 12 Seattle Seahawks L 16–280–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
2 September 19 Los Angeles Rams L 24–270–2 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
3 September 26at Tennessee Titans L 16–250–3 Nissan Stadium Recap
4 October 3at Miami Dolphins W 27–171–3 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
5 October 11at Baltimore Ravens L 25–31 (OT)1–4 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
6 October 17 Houston Texans W 31–32–4 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
7 October 24at San Francisco 49ers W 30–183–4 Levi's Stadium Recap
8 October 31 Tennessee Titans L 31–34 (OT)3–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
9 November 4 New York Jets W 45–304–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
10 November 14 Jacksonville Jaguars W 23–175–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
11 November 21at Buffalo Bills W 41–156–5 Highmark Stadium Recap
12 November 28 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 31–386–6 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
13 December 5at Houston Texans W 31–07–6 NRG Stadium Recap
14 Bye
15 December 18 New England Patriots W 27–178–6 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
16 December 25 at Arizona Cardinals W 22–169–6 State Farm Stadium Recap
17 January 2 Las Vegas Raiders L 20–239–7 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
18 January 9at Jacksonville Jaguars L 11–269–8 TIAA Bank Field Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 1: Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Seahawks7140728
Colts370616

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

With their 8th straight season-opening defeat, the Colts started 0–1.

Week 2: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Week 2: Los Angeles Rams at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Rams7371027
Colts0681024

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: September 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 63,076
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Lindsay Czarniak
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With the loss, the Colts started 0–2 for the first time since 2017.

Week 3: at Tennessee Titans

Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts0103316
Titans7701125

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

With this loss, the Colts started 0–3 for the first time since 2011.

Week 4: at Miami Dolphins

Week 4: Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts07101027
Dolphins3001417

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

With their first win of the season, the Colts improved to 1–3.

Week 5: at Baltimore Ravens

Week 5: Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period1234OTTotal
Colts73123025
Ravens03616631

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

Despite leading by as many as 19 points late in the third quarter and by 16 points midway through the fourth quarter, the Colts collapsed and were defeated in overtime after allowing 3 consecutive touchdown drives. With the heartbreaking loss, the Colts fell to 1–4.

Week 6: vs. Houston Texans

Week 6: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Texans03003
Colts7314731

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: October 17
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 58 °F (14 °C) (retractable roof open)
  • Game attendance: 57,947
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Jay Feely
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Colts recorded their third consecutive win over the Texans, and improved to 2–4.

Week 7: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 7: Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts7671030
49ers1200618

at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

Game information

The Colts dominated the 49ers on the road. Carson Wentz scored 3 total touchdowns and the defense forced four turnovers against the 49ers' offense. With the win, the Colts improved to 3–4.

Week 8: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week 8: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234OTTotal
Titans014710334
Colts14377031

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: October 31
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 56 °F (13 °C) (retractable roof open)
  • Game attendance: 59,175
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Jay Feely
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Colts blew another large lead and were defeated by the Titans in overtime after two costly interceptions from Wentz. With the loss, the Colts fell to 3–5 and were swept by the Titans for the first time since 2002.

Week 9: vs. New York Jets

Week 9: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Jets7361430
Colts72114345

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

This was the first NFL game that ended in a 4530 score, making a scorigami. [1] The win improved the Colts to 4–5.

Week 10: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 10: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Jaguars630817
Colts1730323

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: November 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 60,622
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and Sherree Burruss
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With their fourth consecutive home win over the Jaguars, the Colts improved to 5–5.

Week 11: at Buffalo Bills

Week 11: Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts141014341
Bills070815

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

This was the Colts' second scorigami of the season, as a 41–15 score had never occurred in the NFL before. [2] Arguably the team's most impressive win of the season, Jonathan Taylor dominated Buffalo's defense with 5 total touchdowns, improving the Colts to 6–5 and over .500 for the first time all season.

Week 12: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Buccaneers014141038
Colts3210731

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

The Colts blew a 10-point lead and turned the ball over five times, dropping them to 6–6.

Week 13: at Houston Texans

Week 13: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts7771031
Texans00000

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

With their fourth straight win over the Texans, and first shutout win since 2018, the Colts improved to 7–6 heading into their bye week.

Week 15: vs. New England Patriots

Week 15: New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Patriots0001717
Colts1433727

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 67,391
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (NFLN): Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With the win, the Colts improved to 8–6 and beat the Patriots for the first time since Week 10 of the 2009 season. [3]

Week 16: at Arizona Cardinals

Christmas Day games

Week 16: Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts753722
Cardinals607316

at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Game information

The Colts overcame several injuries and positive COVID-19 tests on their offensive line and defensive backfield to defeat the skidding Cardinals, improving them to 9–6 and putting them on the cusp of clinching a playoff berth.

Week 17: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Week 17: Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Raiders7601023
Colts0107320

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: January 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 65,985
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Sara Walsh
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With this loss, the Colts fell to 9–7 and were prevented from clinching a playoff berth this week.

Week 18: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 18: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts030811
Jaguars7610326

at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: January 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C)
  • Game attendance: 60,516
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta and AJ Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In a shocking fashion, the Colts were upset by the 2–14 Jaguars thus ending their playoff hopes, as the Steelers won earlier that day.

Standings

Division

AFC South
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(1) Tennessee Titans 1250.7065–18–4419354W3
Indianapolis Colts 980.5293–37–5451365L2
Houston Texans 4130.2353–34–8280452L2
Jacksonville Jaguars 3140.1761–53–9253457W1

Conference

#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOVSTK
Division winners
1 [lower-alpha 1] Tennessee Titans South1250.7065–18–4.472.480W3
2 [lower-alpha 1] Kansas City Chiefs West1250.7065–17–5.538.517W1
3 Buffalo Bills East1160.6475–17–5.472.428W4
4 Cincinnati Bengals North1070.5884–28–4.472.462L1
Wild cards
5 [lower-alpha 2] Las Vegas Raiders West1070.5883–38–4.510.515W4
6 [lower-alpha 2] New England Patriots East1070.5883–38–4.481.394L1
7 Pittsburgh Steelers North971.5594–27–5.521.490W2
Did not qualify for the postseason
8 [lower-alpha 3] Indianapolis Colts South980.5293–37–5.495.431L2
9 [lower-alpha 3] [lower-alpha 4] Miami Dolphins East980.5294–26–6.464.379W1
10 [lower-alpha 3] [lower-alpha 4] Los Angeles Chargers West980.5293–36–6.510.500L1
11 [lower-alpha 5] Cleveland Browns North890.4713–35–7.514.415W1
12 [lower-alpha 5] Baltimore Ravens North890.4711–55–7.531.460L6
13 Denver Broncos West7100.4121–53–9.484.357L4
14 [lower-alpha 6] New York Jets East4130.2350–64–8.512.426L2
15 [lower-alpha 6] Houston Texans South4130.2353–34–8.498.397L2
16 Jacksonville Jaguars South3140.1761–53–9.512.569W1
Tiebreakers [lower-alpha 7]
  1. 1 2 Tennessee finished ahead of Kansas City based on head-to-head victory.
  2. 1 2 Las Vegas finished ahead of New England based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: Miami, Dallas, LA Chargers, Cleveland, and Indianapolis).
  3. 1 2 3 Indianapolis finished ahead of Miami and Los Angeles based on conference record (7–5 vs. 6–6).
  4. 1 2 Miami finished ahead of LA Chargers based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: New England, Las Vegas, Houston, Baltimore, and NY Giants).
  5. 1 2 Cleveland finished ahead of Baltimore based on division record (3–3 vs. 1–5).
  6. 1 2 NY Jets finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head victory.
  7. 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.

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. Colts' victory over Jets ended in final score that's never happened before in NFL history
  2. Bills, Colts combine for Scorigami with first 41-15 game in NFL history
  3. Wells, Mike (December 19, 2021). "Indianapolis Colts send message to rest of AFC with first win over New England Patriots since 2009, and swept the AFC East". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 21, 2021.