1995 Indianapolis Colts season

Last updated

1995 Indianapolis Colts season
Owner Robert Irsay
General manager Bill Tobin
Head coach Ted Marchibroda
Home field RCA Dome
Results
Record9–7
Division place2nd AFC East
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(at Chargers) 35–20
Won Divisional Playoffs
(at Chiefs) 10–7
Lost AFC Championship
(at Steelers) 16–20

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).

Contents

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.

Offseason

Expansion draft

Indianapolis Colts selected during the expansion draft
RoundOverallNamePositionExpansion Team
1326 Dewell Brewer Running Back Carolina Panthers
2754 Paul Butcher LinebackerCarolina Panthers

NFL draft

1995 Indianapolis Colts draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
112 Ellis Johnson   Defensive tackle Florida
248 Ken Dilger  *  Tight end Illinois
379 Zack Crockett   Fullback Florida State
4114 Ray McElroy   Cornerback Eastern Illinois
5149Derek West Tackle Colorado
6187Brian Gelzheiser Linebacker Penn State
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents

1995 Undrafted Free Agents of note
PlayerPositionCollege
Ben Bronson Wide receiver Baylor
Conrad Clarks Defensive back Northeast Louisiana
Steve Morrison Linebacker Michigan
Marcus Pollard Tight end Bradley

Transactions

Personnel

Staff

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


Roster

1995 Indianapolis Colts roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

 Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

 Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserved

Rookies in italics
53 active, 4 reserved, 1 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceRecap
1August 4 Cincinnati Bengals L 21–340–1 RCA Dome 39,946
2August 12at Seattle Seahawks W 20–171–1 Kingdome 38,006
3August 19at Green Bay Packers W 20–17 (OT)2–1 Lambeau Field 55,624
4August 24 Chicago Bears W 29–73–1 RCA Dome 45,626

Game summaries

Week P1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Preseason Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bengals71010734
Colts3801021

at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: August 4, 1995
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 39,946
  • TV: WTTV

Week P2: at Seattle Seahawks

Preseason Week 2: Indianapolis Colts at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colts3071020
Seahawks0031417

at Kingdome • Seattle, Washington

  • Date: August 12, 1995
  • Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 38,006
  • TV: WTTV

Week P3: at Green Bay Packers

Preseason Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Colts6038320
Packers01700017

at Lambeau Field • Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: August 19, 1995
  • Game time: 12 Noon EST
  • Game attendance: 55,624
  • TV: WTTV

Week P4: vs. Chicago Bears

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame SiteAttendanceRecap
1 September 3 Cincinnati Bengals L 21–24 (OT)0–1 RCA Dome 42,445 Recap
2 September 10at New York Jets W 27–24 (OT)1–1 Giants Stadium 65,134 Recap
3 September 17at Buffalo Bills L 14–201–2 Rich Stadium 62,499 Recap
4 Bye
5 October 1 St. Louis Rams W 21–182–2RCA Dome58,616 Recap
6 October 8at Miami Dolphins W 27–24 (OT)3–2 Joe Robbie Stadium 68,471 Recap
7 October 15 San Francisco 49ers W 18–174–2RCA Dome60,273 Recap
8 October 22at Oakland Raiders L 17–304–3 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 53,543 Recap
9 October 29 New York Jets W 17–105–3RCA Dome49,250 Recap
10 November 5 Buffalo Bills L 10–165–4RCA Dome59,612 Recap
11 November 12at New Orleans Saints L 14–175–5 Louisiana Superdome 44,122 Recap
12 November 19at New England Patriots W 24–106–5 Foxboro Stadium 59,544 Recap
13 November 26 Miami Dolphins W 36–287–5RCA Dome60,414 Recap
14 December 3at Carolina Panthers L 10–137–6 Memorial Stadium 49,841 Recap
15 December 10at Jacksonville Jaguars W 41–318–6 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium 66,099 Recap
16 December 17 San Diego Chargers L 24–278–7RCA Dome55,318 Recap
17 December 23 New England Patriots W 10–79–7RCA Dome54,685 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Bengals (1–0)31080324
Colts (0–1)73011021

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Week 2 at Jets

Week Two: Indianapolis Colts (0–1) at New York Jets (0–1)
Quarter1234OTTotal
Colts 03714327
Jets 14370024

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Week 3: at Buffalo Bills

Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colts (1–2)770014
Bills (2–1)773320

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Week 5: vs. St. Louis Rams

Week 5: St. Louis Rams at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rams (4–1)730818
Colts (2–2)777021

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Week 6: at Miami Dolphins

Week 6: Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Colts (3–2)03714327
Dolphins (4–1)141000024

at Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Week 7: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 7: San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
49ers (4–2)077317
Colts (4–2)339318

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Week 8: at Oakland Raiders

Week 8: Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colts (4–3)377017
Raiders (6–2)7317330

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

Week 9: vs. New York Jets

Week 9: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Jets (2–7)300710
Colts (5–3)3140017

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Week 10: at Buffalo Bills

Week 10: Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bills (6–3)1060016
Colts (5–4)703010

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Week 11: at New Orleans Saints

Week 11: Indianapolis Colts at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colts (5–5)070714
Saints (4–6)077317

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Week 12: at New England Patriots

Week 11: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colts (6–5)0170724
Patriots (4–7)307010

at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 13: Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Dolphins (6–6)0681428
Colts (7–5)141021036

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Week 14: at Carolina Panthers

Week 14: Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colts (7–6)1000010
Panthers (6–7)0100313

at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina

Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 15: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colts141031441
Jaguars0732131

at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

On the opening kickoff, Colts return specialist Aaron 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 receiver Willie 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' quarterback Mark Brunell was intercepted by cornerback 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 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.

Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 16: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chargers (8–7)7071327
Colts (8–7)3701424

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Week 17: vs. New England Patriots

Week 17: New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Patriots (6–10)07007
Colts (9–7)007310

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Standings

AFC East
WLTPCTPFPASTK
(3) Buffalo Bills 1060.625350335L1
(5) Indianapolis Colts 970.563331316W1
(6) Miami Dolphins 970.563398332W1
New England Patriots 6100.375294377L2
New York Jets 3130.188233384L4

Playoffs

The team received a Wild-Card playoff berth for the playoffs and traveled to San 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 the AFC Championship game to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Schedule

Playoff RoundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordGame SiteAttendanceRecap
Wild Card December 31, 1995at San Diego Chargers (4)W 35–201–0 Jack Murphy Stadium
61,182
 Recap
Divisional January 7, 1996at Kansas City Chiefs (1)W 10–72–0 Arrowhead Stadium
77,594
 Recap
Conference Championship January 14, 1996at Pittsburgh Steelers (2)L 16–20 2–1 Three Rivers Stadium
61,062
 Recap

Game summaries

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (4) San Diego Chargers

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colts01471435
Chargers377320

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) Kansas City Chiefs

AFC Divisional Playoffs: Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colts073010
Chiefs70007

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

AFC Championship Game: at (2) Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC Championship Game: Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colts333716
Steelers373720

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Awards and records

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "1995 NFL Transactions. Trades - July". National Football League. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  2. ↑ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, ISBN   0-7611-2480-2, p. 450
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