2021 Indianapolis Colts season

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.

2021 Indianapolis Colts season
OwnerJim Irsay
General managerChris Ballard
Head coachFrank Reich
Home fieldLucas Oil Stadium
Results
Record9–8
Division place2nd AFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
7
AP All-Pros
5
Uniform

Draft
Main article: 2021 NFL Draft
2021 Indianapolis Colts Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
121 Kwity PayeDEMichigan
254 Dayo OdeyingboDEVanderbilt
4127 Kylen GransonTESMU
5165 Shawn DavisSFlorida
6206 Sam EhlingerQBTexas
7229 Michael StrachanWRCharleston
248 Will FriesOGPenn 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

  • Director of sports performance – Rusty Jones
  • Head strength and conditioning – Richard Howell
  • Applied sports science/conditioning – Doug McKenney
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Zane Fakes

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:

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
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

Regular season

Schedule

The Colts' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 12 Seattle Seahawks L 16–28 0–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
2 September 19 Los Angeles Rams L 24–27 0–2 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
3 September 26 at Tennessee Titans L 16–25 0–3 Nissan Stadium Recap
4 October 3 at Miami Dolphins W 27–17 1–3 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
5 October 11 at Baltimore Ravens L 25–31 (OT) 1–4 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
6 October 17 Houston Texans W 31–3 2–4 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
7 October 24 at San Francisco 49ers W 30–18 3–4 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 45–30 4–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
10 November 14 Jacksonville Jaguars W 23–17 5–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
11 November 21 at Buffalo Bills W 41–15 6–5 Highmark Stadium Recap
12 November 28 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 31–38 6–6 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
13 December 5 at Houston Texans W 31–0 7–6 NRG Stadium Recap
14 Bye
15 December 18 New England Patriots W 27–17 8–6 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
16 December 25 at Arizona Cardinals W 22–16 9–6 State Farm Stadium Recap
17 January 2 Las Vegas Raiders L 20–23 9–7 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
18 January 9 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 11–26 9–8 TIAA Bank Field Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 1: Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 7 14 0728
Colts 3 7 0616

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 7 3 71027
Colts 0 6 81024

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 10 3316
Titans 7 7 01125

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 7 101027
Dolphins 3 0 01417

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
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Colts 7 3 123025
Ravens 0 3 616631

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 3 003
Colts 7 3 14731

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 6 71030
49ers 12 0 0618

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
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Titans 0 14 710334
Colts 14 3 77031

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets 7 3 61430
Colts 7 21 14345

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

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.

Week 10: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 10: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 6 3 0817
Colts 17 3 0323

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 14 10 14341
Bills 0 7 0815

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 14 141038
Colts 3 21 0731

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 7 71031
Texans 0 0 000

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 0 01717
Colts 14 3 3727

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 5 3722
Cardinals 6 0 7316

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 7 6 01023
Colts 0 10 7320

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 3 0811
Jaguars 7 6 10326

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.

Division
AFC South
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

Conference
AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division winners
1[lower-alpha 1] Tennessee Titans South 12 5 0 .706 5–1 8–4 .472 .480 W3
2[lower-alpha 1] 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[lower-alpha 2] Las Vegas Raiders West 10 7 0 .588 3–3 8–4 .510 .515 W4
6[lower-alpha 2] 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[lower-alpha 3] Indianapolis Colts South 9 8 0 .529 3–3 7–5 .495 .431 L2
9[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] Miami Dolphins East 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 .464 .379 W1
10[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] Los Angeles Chargers West 9 8 0 .529 3–3 6–6 .510 .500 L1
11[lower-alpha 5] Cleveland Browns North 8 9 0 .471 3–3 5–7 .514 .415 W1
12[lower-alpha 5] 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[lower-alpha 6] New York Jets East 4 13 0 .235 0–6 4–8 .512 .426 L2
15[lower-alpha 6] 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[lower-alpha 7]
  1. Tennessee finished ahead of Kansas City based on head-to-head victory.
  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. Indianapolis finished ahead of Miami and Los Angeles based on conference record (7–5 vs. 6–6).
  4. 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. Cleveland finished ahead of Baltimore based on division record (3–3 vs. 1–5).
  6. 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.

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. "Indianapolis Colts send message to rest of AFC with first win over New England Patriots since 2009, and swept the AFC East". ESPN.com. December 19, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
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