2017 Indianapolis Colts season

2017 Indianapolis Colts season
OwnerJim Irsay
General managerChris Ballard
Head coachChuck Pagano
Home fieldLucas Oil Stadium
Results
Record4–12
Division place3rd AFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersWR T. Y. Hilton
TE Jack Doyle
Uniform

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.

After an ineffective performance by backup Scott Tolzien in Week 1 against the Rams, the Colts put Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback for the rest of the season. However, Brissett could not save the team as they finished 4-12 for their first losing season since 2011, and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Roster changes

Free agents

Position Player Tag 2017 Team Notes
S Mike Adams UFA Carolina Panthers signed on March 10
WR Quan Bray ERFA Indianapolis Colts signed on April 17
CB Darius Butler UFA Indianapolis Colts signed on March 17
OLB Chris Carter UFA Washington Redskins signed on March 16
OLB Trent Cole UFA
TE Jack Doyle UFA Indianapolis Colts signed on March 7
C Jonotthan Harrison RFA New York Jets signed on March 28
DE Zach Kerr RFA Denver Broncos signed on March 12
OLB Robert Mathis UFA Retired
P Pat McAfee UFA Retired
ILB Josh McNary RFA Jacksonville Jaguars signed on March 16
OT Joe Reitz UFA Retired
TE Erik Swoope ERFA Indianapolis Colts signed on April 17
G Hugh Thornton UFA Atlanta Falcons signed on March 28
RB Jordan Todman UFA New York Jets signed on June 13
RB Robert Turbin UFA Indianapolis Colts signed on March 13
OLB Erik Walden UFA Tennessee Titans signed on July 27
Player re-signed by the Colts Player signed with a different team Player retired

Draft

Main article: 2017 NFL draft
2017 Indianapolis Colts Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 15 Malik Hooker FS Ohio State
2 46 Quincy Wilson CB Florida
3 80 Tarell Basham OLB Ohio
4 137 Zach Banner OT USC
143 Marlon Mack RB South Florida
144 Grover Stewart DT Albany State
5 158 Nate Hairston CB Temple
161 Anthony Walker Jr. ILB Northwestern

Notes

Undrafted free agents

Sources[1]

Position Player College Notes
OG Deyshawn Bond Cincinnati made final roster, placed on injured reserve October 3[2]
RB Dalton Crossan New Hampshire waived August 15[3]
TE Darrell Daniels Washington made final roster[4]
WR Trey Griffey Arizona waived June 12[5]
LS Thomas Hennessy Duke traded to the New York Jets August 28[6]
TE Bug Howard North Carolina waived September 2[7]
TE Colin Jeter LSU waived July 30[8]
WR Jerome Lane Akron waived May 15[9]
CB Chris Lyles Mississippi College waived May 15[9]
OG Christopher Muller Rutgers waived May 15[9]
WR JoJo Natson Akron waived September 2[7]
CB Reggie Porter Utah waived June 12[10]
RB Brandon Radcliff Louisville waived June 1[11]
P Rigoberto Sanchez Hawaii made final roster[4]
OLB Garrett Sickels Penn State waived from practice squad September 12[12]
DE Jhaustin Thomas Iowa State waived September 2[7]
OT Jerry Ugokwe William & Mary waived August 2[13]
QB Phillip Walker Temple added to practice squad September 3[14]

Staff

2017 Indianapolis Colts staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning


Final roster

2017 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

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 17 reserve, 10 practice squad

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 13 Detroit Lions L 10–24 0–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
2 August 19 at Dallas Cowboys L 19–24 0–2 AT&T Stadium Recap
3 August 26 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 19–15 1–2 Heinz Field Recap
4 August 31 Cincinnati Bengals W 7–6 2–2 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 10 at Los Angeles Rams L 9–46 0–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap
2 September 17 Arizona Cardinals L 13–16 (OT) 0–2 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
3 September 24 Cleveland Browns W 31–28 1–2 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
4 October 1 at Seattle Seahawks L 18–46 1–3 CenturyLink Field Recap
5 October 8 San Francisco 49ers W 26–23 (OT) 2–3 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
6 October 16 at Tennessee Titans L 22–36 2–4 Nissan Stadium Recap
7 October 22 Jacksonville Jaguars L 0–27 2–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
8 October 29 at Cincinnati Bengals L 23–24 2–6 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
9 November 5 at Houston Texans W 20–14 3–6 NRG Stadium Recap
10 November 12 Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–20 3–7 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
11 Bye
12 November 26 Tennessee Titans L 16–20 3–8 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
13 December 3 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 10–30 3–9 EverBank Field Recap
14 December 10 at Buffalo Bills L 7–13 (OT) 3–10 New Era Field Recap
15 December 14 Denver Broncos L 13–25 3–11 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
16 December 23 at Baltimore Ravens L 16–23 3–12 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
17 December 31 Houston Texans W 22–13 4–12 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Los Angeles Rams

Week One: Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 3 0 069
Rams 10 17 10946

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Game information

The first regular season game of the Colts ended in disaster. The offense allowed two pick-sixes and a safety, the defense were unable to stop Sean McVay's high-powered Rams offense, and the special teams missed one field goal.

Week 2: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week Two: Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Cardinals 0 3 010316
Colts 10 0 03013

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

The Colts allowed 2 Phil Dawson field goals late in the game, with the 2nd one turning out to be the game winner. The 2nd one came after a Jacoby Brissett interception on the first play of overtime. The Colts fell to 0–2, their third straight such start.

Week 3: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week Three: Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 14 01428
Colts 7 21 0331

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

In a battle of 0-2 teams, the Colts took a 28–14 lead at halftime, then halted a Browns comeback in the second half. The Colts improved to 1–2.

Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Four: Indianapolis Colts at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 2 13 3018
Seahawks 3 7 221446

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

Despite being tied at 18 in the 3rd quarter, the Colts allowed 28 straight Seattle points to fall to 1–3.

Week 5: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week Five: San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
49ers 3 3 017023
Colts 3 3 107326

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Despite allowing the 49ers to rally from a 23–9 deficit in the 2nd half, the Colts won in overtime on an Adam Vinatieri field goal to improve to 2–3.

Week 6: at Tennessee Titans

Week Six: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 3 10 6322
Titans 6 3 62136

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

Despite leading 19–9 in the third quarter, the Colts were outscored 27-3 the rest of the way, resulting in their first loss to the Titans since 2011, snapping their 11-game winning streak in the series. The Colts fell to 2–4.

Week 7: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Seven: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 14 6 7027
Colts 0 0 000

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Jacksonville dominated the entire game, and beat the Colts in Indianapolis for the first time since 2012. The Colts fell to 2–5. The Colts were also shut out at home for the first time since 1993.

Week 8: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week Eight: Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 13 7323
Bengals 3 7 7724

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

Despite leading for a good portion of the game, a late pick 6 by Jacoby Brissett did the Colts in, as they fell to 2–6.

Week 9: at Houston Texans

Week Nine: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 3 7320
Texans 0 7 0714

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Against the equally disappointing Texans, the Colts improved to 3-6 and snapped their 3-game losing streak to the Texans.

Week 10: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Ten: Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 3 61120
Colts 0 10 7017

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: November 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoor (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 66,146
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Jamie Erdahl
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Despite leading 17–3 in the 2nd quarter, the Colts lost to the Steelers 20–17 to fall to 3–7, their 5th straight loss to Pittsburgh.

Week 12: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week Twelve: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Titans 6 0 7720
Colts 0 13 3016

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: November 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C), cloudy and frigid — retractable roof open
  • Game attendance: 62,207
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Despite a 16–6 lead in the 3rd quarter, the Titans managed to pull off the comeback to win 20-16 and send the Colts to 3–8. It was the first time since 2002 that the Colts had been swept by the Titans.

Week 13: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Thirteen: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 3 7010
Jaguars 7 9 11330

at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

Game information

For the second time this season, the Jaguars managed to dominate Indianapolis, winning this game 30-10 and sending the Colts to 3–9, their 3rd straight road loss to the Jaguars.

Week 14: at Buffalo Bills

Week Fourteen: Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Colts 0 0 0707
Bills 0 7 00613

at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 10
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 32 °F (0 °C), heavy lake effect snow
  • Game attendance: 60,222
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Steve Tasker
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The game in Buffalo, called the "Snow Bowl" by the media, was notable for being held in the midst of a lake-effect snow storm that left over a foot of snow on the stadium's turf in similar weather conditions to games such as the Snowplow Game.[15] The Colts and Bills played a low-scoring affair, tied at 7 by the end of regulation thanks to a fourth quarter touchdown pass from Jacoby Brissett to Jack Doyle. However, LeSean McCoy managed to win the game for the Bills with a 21-yard touchdown run in overtime. The Colts fell to 3–10.

Week 15: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Fifteen: Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 7 15325
Colts 7 3 3013

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

The Colts lost at home to the Broncos, who were also on a downspiral season, to fall to 3–11. It was their first loss at home to the Broncos since 2003, ending their 6-game home winning streak against them.

Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens

Week Sixteen: Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 7 6316
Ravens 3 10 3723

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: December 23
  • Game time: 4:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 70,590
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (NFLN): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Jamie Erdahl
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Colts played a close matchup with the playoff-bound Ravens, but it was not enough as the Colts lost and fell to 3–12.

Week 17: vs. Houston Texans

Week Seventeen: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Texans 3 10 0013
Colts 0 7 7822

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: December 31
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 60,557
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy, Steve Tasker and Steve Beuerlein
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In a battle for the basement, the Colts defeated the Texans 22-13 and swept the Texans for the first time since 2014. The win also secured the Colts third place in the division.

Standings

Division

AFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Jacksonville Jaguars 10 6 0 .625 4–2 9–3 417 268 L2
(5) Tennessee Titans 9 7 0 .563 5–1 8–4 334 356 W1
Indianapolis Colts 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 263 404 W1
Houston Texans 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 338 436 L6

Conference

AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[a] New England Patriots East 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 .484 .466 W3
2[a] Pittsburgh Steelers North 13 3 0 .813 6–0 10–2 .453 .423 W2
3[b] Jacksonville Jaguars South 10 6 0 .625 4–2 9–3 .434 .394 L2
4[b] Kansas City Chiefs West 10 6 0 .625 5–1 8–4 .477 .481 W4
Wild Cards
5[c] Tennessee Titans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 8–4 .434 .396 W1
6[c] Buffalo Bills East 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .492 .396 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[c] Baltimore Ravens North 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .441 .299 L1
8[c] Los Angeles Chargers West 9 7 0 .563 3–3 6–6 .457 .347 W2
9 Cincinnati Bengals North 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .465 .321 W2
10[d] Oakland Raiders West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 .512 .396 L4
11[d] Miami Dolphins East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 .543 .531 L3
12[e] Denver Broncos West 5 11 0 .313 2–4 4–8 .492 .413 L2
13[e] New York Jets East 5 11 0 .313 2–4 5–7 .520 .438 L4
14[f] Indianapolis Colts South 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 .480 .219 W1
15[f] Houston Texans South 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .516 .375 L6
16 Cleveland Browns North 0 16 0 .000 0–6 0–12 .520 – L16
Tiebreakers[g]
  1. ^ a b New England claimed the No. 1 seed over Pittsburgh based on head-to-head victory.
  2. ^ a b Jacksonville claimed the No. 3 seed over Kansas City based on conference record.
  3. ^ a b c d Tennessee finished ahead of Buffalo, Baltimore and Los Angeles Chargers based on conference record, claiming the No. 5 seed.
    Buffalo and Baltimore finished ahead of Los Angeles Chargers based on conference record.
    Buffalo claimed the No. 6 seed over Baltimore based on strength of victory.
  4. ^ a b Oakland finished ahead of Miami based on head-to-head victory.
  5. ^ a b Denver finished ahead of the New York Jets based on head-to-head victory.
  6. ^ a b Indianapolis finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head sweep.
  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.

References

  1. ^ Bowen, Kevin (May 4, 2017). "Who Are The Colts 18 Undrafted Free Agents In 2017?". www.colts.com.
  2. ^ "Colts Sign OL Kalis, Person; Place Bond On IR". Colts.com. October 3, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017.
  3. ^ Hudgens, Josh (August 15, 2017). "Colts waive RB Dalton Crossan, sign WR Justice Liggins". Stampede Blue.
  4. ^ a b Walker, Andrew (September 3, 2017). "A Quick Look: Colts' 2017 Initial 53-Man Roster (UPDATED)". www.colts.com.
  5. ^ Wilson, Josh (June 12, 2017). "Colts sign Chris Briggs, waive-injured Trey Griffey". Stampede Blue.
  6. ^ Walker, Andrew (August 28, 2017). "Colts Acquire Safety Ronald Martin In Trade With Jets". Colts.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ^ a b c Ites, Andrew (September 2, 2017). "Colts Announce Full List of Roster Cuts". Horseshoe Heroes.
  8. ^ Mock, Brett (July 30, 2017). "Colts claim TE Henry Krieger-Coble from waivers, waive TE Colin Jeter". Stampede Blue.
  9. ^ a b c Wilson, Josh (May 15, 2017). "With their rookie mini-camp over, Colts make a number of roster moves". Stampede Blue.
  10. ^ "Colts Add Former Seattle Seahawks Safety Tyvis Powell". Colts.com. June 12, 2017. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017.
  11. ^ Wilson, Josh (June 1, 2017). "Colts sign Christine Michael, waive Brandon Radcliff". Stampede Blue.
  12. ^ "Roster Moves: Colts Sign Matt Jones Back To Practice Squad". Colts.com. September 12, 2017.
  13. ^ Schultheis, Luke (August 2, 2017). "Colts Sign OT Arturo Uzdavinis; Waive OT Jerry Ugokwe". Indiana Sports Coverage.
  14. ^ Walker, Andrew (September 3, 2017). "Colts Add Seven To Initial 2017 Practice Squad". Colts.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017.
  15. ^ Hanzus, Dan (December 11, 2017). "The GIFs that explain Sunday's Colts-Bills Blizzard Bowl". NFL.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017.