2021 Indianapolis Colts season | |
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Owner | Jim Irsay |
General manager | Chris Ballard |
Head coach | Frank Reich |
Home field | Lucas Oil Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 9–8 |
Division place | 2nd AFC South |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | 7
|
AP All-Pros | 5
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Uniform | |
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.
Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
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1 | 21 | Kwity Paye | DE | Michigan |
2 | 54 | Dayo Odeyingbo | DE | Vanderbilt |
4 | 127 | Kylen Granson | TE | SMU |
5 | 165 | Shawn Davis | S | Florida |
6 | 206 | Sam Ehlinger | QB | Texas |
7 | 229 | Mike Strachan | WR | Charleston |
248 | Will Fries | OG | Penn State |
Pre-draft trades
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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The Colts' preseason opponents and results are mentioned as below:
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
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1 | August 15 | Carolina Panthers | W 21–18 | 1–0 | Lucas Oil Stadium | Recap |
2 | August 21 | at Minnesota Vikings | W 12–10 | 2–0 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
3 | August 27 | at Detroit Lions | W 27–17 | 3–0 | Ford Field | Recap |
The Colts' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Seahawks | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
Colts | 3 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Game information | ||
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With their 8th straight season-opening defeat, the Colts started 0–1.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Rams | 7 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 27 |
Colts | 0 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 24 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Colts started 0–2 for the first time since 2017.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Colts | 0 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
Titans | 7 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 25 |
at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Game information | ||
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With this loss, the Colts started 0–3 for the first time since 2011.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 0 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 27 |
Dolphins | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information | ||
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With their first win of the season, the Colts improved to 1–3.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
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Colts | 7 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 25 |
Ravens | 0 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 31 |
at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Game information | ||
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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.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Colts | 7 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 31 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Game information | ||
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The Colts recorded their third consecutive win over the Texans, and improved to 2–4.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 7 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 30 |
49ers | 12 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 18 |
at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Game information | ||
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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.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
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Titans | 0 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 34 |
Colts | 14 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Game information | ||
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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.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Jets | 7 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 30 |
Colts | 7 | 21 | 14 | 3 | 45 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Game information | ||
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This was the first NFL game that ended in a 45–30 score, making a scorigami. [1] The win improved the Colts to 4–5.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Jaguars | 6 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 17 |
Colts | 17 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Game information | ||
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With their fourth consecutive home win over the Jaguars, the Colts improved to 5–5.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Colts | 14 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 41 |
Bills | 0 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 15 |
at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
Game information | ||
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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.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Buccaneers | 0 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 38 |
Colts | 3 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 31 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Game information | ||
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The Colts blew a 10-point lead and turned the ball over five times, dropping them to 6–6.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Colts | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 31 |
Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Game information | ||
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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.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Patriots | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 17 |
Colts | 14 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 27 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Game information | ||
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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]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Colts | 7 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 22 |
Cardinals | 6 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 16 |
at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Game information | ||
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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.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Raiders | 7 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 23 |
Colts | 0 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Game information | ||
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With this loss, the Colts fell to 9–7 and were prevented from clinching a playoff berth this week.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Colts | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 11 |
Jaguars | 7 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 26 |
at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
Game information | ||
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In a shocking fashion, the Colts were upset by the 2–14 Jaguars thus ending their playoff hopes, as the Steelers won later that day.
AFC South | |||||||||
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W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(1) Tennessee Titans | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 | 5–1 | 8–4 | 419 | 354 | W3 |
Indianapolis Colts | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 3–3 | 7–5 | 451 | 365 | L2 |
Houston Texans | 4 | 13 | 0 | .235 | 3–3 | 4–8 | 280 | 452 | L2 |
Jacksonville Jaguars | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 | 1–5 | 3–9 | 253 | 457 | W1 |
# | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
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Division winners | |||||||||||
1 [a] | Tennessee Titans | South | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .472 | .480 | W3 |
2 [a] | Kansas City Chiefs | West | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 | 5–1 | 7–5 | .538 | .517 | W1 |
3 | Buffalo Bills | East | 11 | 6 | 0 | .647 | 5–1 | 7–5 | .472 | .428 | W4 |
4 | Cincinnati Bengals | North | 10 | 7 | 0 | .588 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .472 | .462 | L1 |
Wild cards | |||||||||||
5 [b] | Las Vegas Raiders | West | 10 | 7 | 0 | .588 | 3–3 | 8–4 | .510 | .515 | W4 |
6 [b] | New England Patriots | East | 10 | 7 | 0 | .588 | 3–3 | 8–4 | .481 | .394 | L1 |
7 | Pittsburgh Steelers | North | 9 | 7 | 1 | .559 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .521 | .490 | W2 |
Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
8 [c] | Indianapolis Colts | South | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .495 | .431 | L2 |
9 [c] [d] | Miami Dolphins | East | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .464 | .379 | W1 |
10 [c] [d] | Los Angeles Chargers | West | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .510 | .500 | L1 |
11 [e] | Cleveland Browns | North | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .514 | .415 | W1 |
12 [e] | Baltimore Ravens | North | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 | 1–5 | 5–7 | .531 | .460 | L6 |
13 | Denver Broncos | West | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .484 | .357 | L4 |
14 [f] | New York Jets | East | 4 | 13 | 0 | .235 | 0–6 | 4–8 | .512 | .426 | L2 |
15 [f] | Houston Texans | South | 4 | 13 | 0 | .235 | 3–3 | 4–8 | .498 | .397 | L2 |
16 | Jacksonville Jaguars | South | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .512 | .569 | W1 |
Tiebreakers [g] | |||||||||||
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The 2010 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the franchise's 16th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 8th under head coach Jack Del Rio. The Jaguars, who were in their second year of "rebuilding" under general manager Gene Smith, improved upon their 7–9 record from 2009, but narrowly missed the playoffs with an 8–8 record. Although blackouts were a problem in 2009 for the franchise, they sold out all of their 2010 home games.
The 2013 Indianapolis Colts season was the franchise's 61st season in the National Football League (NFL), the 30th in Indianapolis and the second season under head coach Chuck Pagano, who missed most of the 2012 season due to treatment for leukemia. Throughout the season, the Colts wore a patch to recognize the 30th season since their move to Indianapolis.
The 2014 Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 83rd season in the National Football League (NFL) and the first season under head coach Jay Gruden. The Redskins finished the season 4–12, slightly improving on their 3–13 record from 2013 and resulted in the departure of defensive coordinator Jim Haslett.
The 2015 Indianapolis Colts season was the franchise's 63rd season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 32nd in Indianapolis, surpassing the 31 seasons they played in their original home city of Baltimore. It was also the fourth season under the trio of head coach Chuck Pagano, general manager Ryan Grigson and quarterback Andrew Luck. The Colts entered the 2015 season as the defending AFC South champions after compiling an 11–5 record before falling to the New England Patriots in a controversial AFC Championship game matchup.
The 2016 Indianapolis Colts season was the franchise's 64th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 33rd in Indianapolis. The Colts matched their 8–8 record from 2015, but would miss the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1997–1998. This season would also see the Colts get swept by the Houston Texans for the first time in franchise history. As a result, the Colts fired general manager Ryan Grigson after five seasons with the team. However, head coach Chuck Pagano would return the next year.
The 2016 season was the Jacksonville Jaguars' 22nd in the National Football League (NFL), and their fourth and final season under head coach Gus Bradley, who was fired after the Week 15 game against the Houston Texans. The Jaguars missed the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season.
The 2017 Indianapolis Colts season was the franchise's 65th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 34th in Indianapolis and the tenth playing their home game at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was also the sixth and final season under head coach Chuck Pagano, who was fired at the end of the season. It was also the first under new general manager Chris Ballard, the former Kansas City Chiefs' Director of Football Operations, following the dismissal of Ryan Grigson. The Colts were looking to improve on their 8–8 record from last year and make the playoffs for the first time since 2014. However, star quarterback Andrew Luck suffered a shoulder injury before the regular season began, was placed on the injured reserve list, and missed the remainder of the season that paralleled the 2011 season, when then-starting quarterback Peyton Manning sat out the entire season to undergo neck surgeries and coincidentally, the Colts lost at least 12 games.
The 2018 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 66th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 35th in Indianapolis. It was also their first season under head coach Frank Reich and second under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard. Despite a 1–5 start, the Colts managed to improve on their 4–12 campaign from the year prior with a 38–10 victory over the Tennessee Titans, and a 5-game winning streak. On Week 16, the Colts achieved their first winning season since 2014 with a 28–27 win against the New York Giants. The next week, they beat the Tennessee Titans in a win or go home match-up to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and became the third team in NFL history to qualify for the playoffs after a 1–5 start and first since the 2015 Chiefs.
The 2018 season was the Jacksonville Jaguars' 24th in the National Football League (NFL) and their second under head coach Doug Marrone. This was their first season in new uniforms, which were revealed in April 2018. The Jaguars had hopes of matching or improving on their 10–6 campaign from the year prior, but despite a 3–1 start, the Jags fell into a 7 game losing streak and failed to improve on their 10–6 record after a Week 10 loss to the Colts. After they lost to the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, the Jaguars fell to 4–9 and were officially eliminated from postseason contention. They finished 5–11, in last place in the AFC South.
The 2019 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 54th in the National Football League (NFL), their third playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their fifth under and final full season under head coach Dan Quinn, as he would be fired during their next season. They tried to improve on their 7–9 season from 2018, and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. However, the Falcons stumbled out of the gate and had their worst start for the first time in 16 years with a 1–7 record to begin the campaign.
The 2019 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 67th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 36th in Indianapolis. It was also their second season under head coach Frank Reich and third under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard.
The 2019 season was the Jacksonville Jaguars' 25th in the National Football League (NFL) and their third under head coach Doug Marrone.
The 2020 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 68th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 37th in Indianapolis. It was also their third season under head coach Frank Reich and fourth under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard. Long-time San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers signed a one-year contract worth $25 million on March 17, 2020, to take over as the team's starting quarterback, reuniting him with Frank Reich, who served as quarterbacks coach for the Chargers during the 2013 season.
The 2020 season was the Jacksonville Jaguars' 26th season in the National Football League (NFL), their eighth and final season under general manager David Caldwell and their fourth and final season under head coach Doug Marrone. With a Week 11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Jaguars dropped to 1–9 resulting in their third consecutive losing season and their ninth in ten seasons. After a loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 12, the Jaguars both failed to improve on their 6–10 record from the previous season and were eliminated from playoff contention for the third consecutive season. They surpassed their loss total from the previous season after an overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
The 2021 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 56th season in the National Football League (NFL), their fifth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their first under general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith.
The 2022 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 70th in the National Football League (NFL), their 39th in Indianapolis, their sixth under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard and their fifth and final season under head coach Frank Reich.
The 2022 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 57th in the National Football League (NFL), their sixth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their second under head coach Arthur Smith.
The 2023 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 71st season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 40th in Indianapolis. It was also their seventh under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard and the first under new head coach Shane Steichen. Despite low expectations, the Colts improved on their 4–12–1 record from the previous season after a Week 10 victory over the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, and more than doubled their wins from the previous year, finishing with a 9–8 record. They were eliminated from playoff contention in the final week of the season for the second time in three seasons after a loss to the Houston Texans, extending their AFC South title drought to nine years.
The 2023 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 58th in the National Football League (NFL), their seventh playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, their third under general manager Terry Fontenot and third and final season under head coach Arthur Smith. The Falcons attempted to improve upon their 7–10 record from the previous two years and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Despite starting 2–0, the first time since 2017 they won a season opener and had a winning record at some point, their struggles caught up to them, as after being 1st place in the NFC South, the team finished 1–4 in their final five games. Atlanta matched their previous two outputs of seven wins with a victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. However, they were eliminated from playoff contention when the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers in Week 18. On January 8, 2024, the Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith, who finished his tenure in Atlanta with a 21–30 (.412) record. The Atlanta Falcons drew an average home attendance of 69,603 in 8 home games in the 2023 NFL season.
The 2024 season is the Indianapolis Colts' 72nd season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 41st in Indianapolis. It will also be their eighth under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard and the second under head coach Shane Steichen. They attempted to improve on their 9–8 record from last year and end their nine-year AFC South title drought. However, not only did they fail to attempt that record, but due to their blowout loss to the Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans defeating the Miami Dolphins, they could not clinch the AFC South title due to the Houston Texans clinching the AFC South title. They are still attempting to make the playoffs after a three-year absence.