Before the season, the Colts brought in veteran quarterback Daniel Jones, who won the starting position over Anthony Richardson. The Colts won their first season opener since 2013 with a 33–8 blowout win over the Miami Dolphins, ending a streak of 11 consecutive seasons not winning the first game of their season. The Colts were the first team in NFL history to score on their first 10 possessions of the season, and their 103 points through the first three games are the most to start a season since moving to Indianapolis,[5] 2 more than they scored in their first 3 games in 2000. It was, however, 14 less than what they scored in their first 3 games in 1967 when they were based in Baltimore. The team's 8–2 start was their best since they started 10–0 in their 2009 season, when they went on to reach and lose Super Bowl XLIV, and they were one win away from topping last year's record. However, despite this start as well as leading the AFC South, the team suffered a late-season collapse and proceeded to lose their remaining seven games after the bye, with Jones suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars as well. The Colts were eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth consecutive season after the Texans defeated the Chargers in week 17.[6] As a result, the Colts became the first team since the 2012 Chicago Bears to start the season 7–1 yet miss the playoffs. After a Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans, the Colts became the first team in NFL history to finish the season with a losing record after an 8–2 start. During the season, Jonathan Taylor broke Colts legend Edgerrin James' record for most rushing touchdowns as a Colt with 69; the previous record was 64. Although the Colts matched their 8–9 record from last season, 7 of the losses were by 8 points or fewer.
IND – Michael Pittman Jr. – 6 receptions, 80 yards, TD
With the win, the Colts started 1–0 for the first time since 2013. Quarterback Daniel Jones, in his debut with the Colts, led every single drive to a touchdown or field goal, the first time this has happened in the NFL since 1978.[8]
Week 2: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 2: Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts– Game summary
On the game's final play, kicker Spencer Shrader missed a 60-yard field goal with no time left. However, a 15-yard leverage penalty on Broncos' Dondrea Tillman moved the ball closer, and Shrader converted the ensuing 45-yard attempt.[9] The Colts improved to 2–0 for the first time since 2009. They also became the first team in the Super Bowl era to not punt once in the first two weeks.[10]
Week 3: at Tennessee Titans
Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans– Game summary
On the Colts' third drive of the game, they punted for the first time in the 2025 season, ending a streak of 20 consecutive drives without a punt. It was their only punt of the game, marking just one punt over the team's first three games of the season. This is the fewest punts by any team through the first three games of an NFL season since at least 1940.[11] With the win (their fifth straight over the Titans), the Colts improve to 3–0.
Week 4: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 4: Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Rams– Game summary
In the second half, WR Adonai Mitchell had what would have been a 76-yard touchdown, but he fumbled the ball before he crossed the goal line, which was one of 3 Colts turnovers during the game. He also had a holding penalty which prevented a 54-yard go-ahead touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor, which forced the Colts to punt and allowed the Rams to score a game-winning 88-yard touchdown with under two minutes left in the game. With their first loss of the season, the Colts fall to 3–1.
Week 5: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 5: Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts– Game summary
The Raiders scored first and held a 3–0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the remainder of the game was dominated by Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Raiders in a blowout, winning by a 34-point margin. Running back Jonathan Taylor had a standout performance, recording three rushing touchdowns. The 34-point victory marked the Colts’ largest margin of victory since a 37–3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013.[13] Additionally, the Colts' offensive line did not allow a single sack, ending the Raiders' league-longest active streak of games with at least one sack.[14] Indianapolis headed back to their winning ways, improving to 4–1 to start the year for the first time since 2013.[13]
Following the game, it was revealed that kicker Spencer Shrader had suffered multiple torn ligaments and would miss the remainder of the season.[15]
Week 6: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 6: Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts– Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Cardinals
7
3
14
3
27
Colts
7
7
3
14
31
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: October 12
Game time: 1:00p.m. EDT
Game weather: Sunny, 57°F (14°C) (retractable roof open)
With their first win over the Chargers since the 2016 season, the Colts improved to 6–1. They also recorded their first road win in Los Angeles since 1986, when they defeated the then–Los Angeles Raiders.[16]
Week 8: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 8: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts– Game summary
IND – Michael Pittman Jr. – 8 receptions, 95 yards, TD
Jonathan Taylor once again dominated the Titans, rushing for 153 yards on 12 carries and scoring three touchdowns. With that performance, Taylor became the first player in NFL history to record three touchdowns in three consecutive games against the same opponent.[17]
With the win, the Colts improved to 7–1. It marked the team’s sixth straight win over Tennessee, as well as their third consecutive season sweep.
Week 9: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 9: Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers– Game summary
The Colts' top-ranked offense struggled against the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense. Pittsburgh forced six turnovers and sacked Daniel Jones five times. The Colts’ 20 points tied a season low, and Jonathan Taylor was held to a season-low 45 yards on 14 carries.[18] With the upset loss, the Colts dropped to 7–2 and extended their losing streak in Pittsburgh to five games. They once again failed to win in Pittsburgh, not having done so since 2008.
The Colts participated in the first NFL regular-season game held in Berlin, Germany.[19] Jonathan Taylor delivered another standout performance, recording 244 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including an 83-yard touchdown run, the longest run of the NFL season, and an 8-yard rushing touchdown in overtime that secured the victory for the Colts. With the overtime win, the Colts matched their 2024 win total and moved into a tie with the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots for the best record in the NFL at 8–2.[20]
Taylor’s 83-yard touchdown run moved him past Hall of Famer Edgerrin James for the most rushing touchdowns (65) in Colts franchise history.[21]
Week 12: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 12: Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs– Game summary
The Colts' rushing attack was limited, as Jonathan Taylor was held to 58 yards on 16 carries. Although the Colts led 20–9 entering the fourth quarter, the Chiefs rallied. Kansas City's defense forced the Colts to go three-and-out on each of their final four possessions, and the Chiefs eventually kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime. Kansas City defeated the Colts at Arrowhead Stadium in the regular season for the first time since 2004. Additionally, Patrick Mahomes recorded his first career regular season win against the Colts after previously going 0–2.[22] With their first loss to Kansas City since 2018, the Colts fell to 8–3 and finished 3–1 against the AFC West
Week 13: vs. Houston Texans
Week 13: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts– Game summary
Near the end of the first quarter, Daniel Jones suffered an Achilles injury that forced him out for the remainder of the game. Without Jones, the Colts struggled yet again against the Jaguars, losing their third straight game. The loss dropped their record to 8–5 overall, 2–2 against the AFC South, and extended their losing streak in Jacksonville to 11 games.[24]
The next day, it was revealed that Jones had torn his right Achilles tendon and would miss the remainder of the season.[25]
Week 15: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 15: Indianapolis Colts at Seattle Seahawks– Game summary
With Daniel Jones out for the season and backup quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard injured, the Colts announced that 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who had not played in the NFL since the 2020 season and had signed with the practice squad earlier in the week, would start against the Seahawks.[26]
Although the Colts kept the game much closer than expected, allowing no touchdowns by the Seahawks, and had the lead with a 60-yard field goal with 47 seconds left by Blake Grupe, a Colts franchise record, they ultimately lost as Seattle kicker Jason Myers converted six field goals, including a game-winning 56-yard field goal with 18 seconds remaining, and Seahawks safety Coby Bryant intercepted a pass from Rivers on the ensuing drive to seal Seattle’s victory.[27] Rivers finished 18-of-27 for 120 yards and one touchdown, his first since the Colts’ Wild Card playoff game against the Bills.[28]
Week 16: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 16: San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts– Game summary
IND – Blake Grupe 51-yard field goal, 8:16. 49ers 31–20. Drive: 7 plays, 33 yards, 2:42.
SF – Eddy Pineiro 38-yard field goal, 4:02. 49ers 34–20. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 4:14.
Fourth quarter
IND – Jonathan Taylor 1-yard run (Blake Grupe kick), 12:41. 49ers 34–27. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 6:21.
SF – Christian McCaffrey 9-yard pass from Brock Purdy (Eddy Pineiro kick), 7:37. 49ers 41–27. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 5:04.
SF – Dee Winters 74-yard interception return (Eddy Pineiro kick), 3:26. 49ers 48–27.
Top passers
SF – Brock Purdy – 25/34, 295 yards, 5 TD, INT
IND – Philip Rivers – 23/35, 277 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
SF – Christian McCaffrey – 21 rushes, 117 yards
IND – Jonathan Taylor – 16 rushes, 46 yards, TD
Top receivers
SF – George Kittle – 7 receptions, 115 yards, TD
IND – Alec Pierce – 4 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TD
The 49ers’ offense dominated the Colts’ defense. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy completed 25-of-34 passes for 295 yards as San Francisco totaled 440 yards of offense. 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey rushed 21 times for 117 yards and added six receptions for 29 yards and two touchdowns. 49ers tight end George Kittle recorded seven receptions for 115 yards and one touchdown, and the team did not punt at any point during a blowout loss for the Colts.
This was the first game in which the Colts did not force a punt since a 2007 matchup against the Jaguars.[29] Additionally, the Colts lost to the 49ers for the first time since the 2001 season.[30]
Week 17: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 17: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts– Game summary
Following the Texans’ win over the Chargers on Saturday, the Colts were eliminated from playoff contention.[31] The Colts became the sixth team since 1970, and the first since the 1995 Oakland Raiders, to miss the postseason after starting 8–2.[32]
With the loss, the Colts fell to 8–8 (2–3 against the AFC South) and finished 6–3 at home.
Week 18: at Houston Texans
Week 18: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans– Game summary
With their fifth straight loss to the Texans, the Colts finished the season on a 7 game losing streak at 8–9, 2–4 against the AFC South, and 2–6 on the road.
12Denver finished ahead of New England based on common games (Denver 6–0 to New England 5–1 against: Cincinnati, Las Vegas, NY Giants, NY Jets and Tennessee).
12Houston finished ahead of Buffalo based on head-to-head victory.
12Indianapolis finished ahead of Baltimore based on conference record (Indianapolis 6–6 to Baltimore 5–7).
12Cincinnati finished ahead of Kansas City based on conference record (Cincinnati 5–7 to Kansas City 3–9).
123Las Vegas finished ahead of NY Jets and Tennessee based on conference record (Las Vegas 3–9 to NY Jets 2–10 and Tennessee 2–10).
12NY Jets finished ahead of Tennessee based on strength of victory (NY Jets .373 to Tennessee .275).
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
