1995 Indianapolis Colts season

43rd season in franchise history November 2022 March 2026 Indianapolis Colts 1995 9–7 2nd AFC East Robert Irsay Bill Tobin Ted Marchibroda Lindy Infante Vince Tobin RCA Dome Won Wild Card Playoffs(at Chargers) 35–20Won Divisional Playoffs(at Chiefs) 10–7Lost AFC Championship(at Steelers) 16–20 Colts seasons 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). 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. 3 Offseason Expansion draft 1995 NFL expansion draft + Indianapolis Colts selected during the expansion draft Round Overall Name Position Expansion team1326Dewell BrewerRunning BackCarolina Panthers2754Paul ButcherLinebackerCarolina Panthers NFL draft 1995 NFL draft 1995 Indianapolis Colts 1 12 Ellis Johnson Defensive tackle Florida yes no 2 48 Ken Dilger Tight end Illinois yes yes 3 79 Zack Crockett Fullback Florida State yes 4 114 Ray McElroy Cornerback Eastern Illinois yes 5 149 Derek West Tackle Colorado yes 6 187 Brian Gelzheiser Linebacker Penn State no Undrafted free agents + 1995 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeBen BronsonWide receiverBaylorConrad ClarksDefensive backNortheast LouisianaSteve MorrisonLinebackerMichiganMarcus PollardTight endBradley Transactions July 29: The Indianapolis Colts signed wide receiver Wendell Davishttps://www.nfl.com/transactions/league/signings/1995/7 1995 NFL Transactions. Trades - July National Football League 2021-03-10 en Personnel Staff 1995 Indianapolis Colts 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 coach – Ted Marchibroda Offensive coordinator – Lindy Infante Running backs – Gene Huey Receivers – Jimmy Robinson Tight ends/quality control – Tom Batta Offensive line – Ron Blackledge Defensive coordinator – Vince Tobin Defensive line – Greg Blache Linebackers – Jim Johnson Secondary – Pat Thomas Defensive assistant – Fred Bruney Special teams – Hank Kuhlmann Strength and conditioning – Tom Zupancic Roster 1995 Indianapolis Colts 53 4 1  7 Craig Erickson  4 Jim Harbaugh 11 Paul Justin 32 Zack Crockett y FB 28 Marshall Faulk 27 Clif Groce y 25 Ronald Humphrey American football 21 Lamont Warren 80 Aaron Bailey American football 10 Wendell Davis wide receiver 87 Sean Dawkins 16 Bobby Olive 86 Brian Stablein 88 Floyd Turner 85 Ken Dilger y 81 Marcus Pollard y 66 Seth Dittman y T 69 Randy Dixon G 75 Shawn Harper T 63 Kirk Lowdermilk C 65 Eric Mahlum G 74 Jason Mathews T 79 Joe Staysniak G 71 Kipp Vickers G 72 Derek West American football y T 67 Will Wolford T 56 Tony Bennett American football DE 62 Ellis Johnson defensive lineman y DT 61 Tony McCoy American football DT 93 Freddie Joe Nunn DE 99 Mike Pelton y DT 98 Tony Siragusa DT 95 Bernard Whittington DE 51 Trev Alberts OLB 57 Quentin Coryatt OLB 59 Steve Grant OLB 54 Jeff Herrod MLB 55 Devon McDonald OLB 92 Steve Morrison American football y OLB 97 Scott Radecic MLB 96 Trevor Wilmot y OLB 33 Ashley Ambrose CB 29 Jason Belser FS 34 Ray Buchanan CB 35 Conrad Clarks y FS 38 Eugene Daniel CB 30 Derwin Gray defensive back SS 40 Ray McElroy y CB 49 David Tate American football SS 36 Damon Watts CB 83 Bradford Banta LS 14 Cary Blanchard K 17 Chris Gardocki P 84 Flipper Anderson WR IR 94 Thomas McLemore TE NF-Inj. 42 Roosevelt Potts FB IR 46 Vince Workman RB IR 64 Garin Patrick C Preseason Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 August 4, 1995 Cincinnati Bengals L 21–34 0–1 RCA Dome 39,946 2 August 12, 1995 at Seattle Seahawks W 20–17 1–1 Kingdome 38,006 3 August 19, 1995 at Green Bay Packers W 20–17 (OT) 2–1 Lambeau Field 55,624 4 August 24, 1995 Chicago Bears W 29–7 3–1 RCA Dome 45,626 Game summaries Week P1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Preseason Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary August 4, 1995 7:30 p.m. EST Bengals 7 10 10 7 Colts 3 8 0 10 Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana 39,946 WTTV Week P2: at Seattle Seahawks Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Preseason Week 2: Indianapolis Colts at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary August 12, 1995 9:00 p.m. EST Colts 3 0 7 10 Seahawks 0 0 3 14 Kingdome • Seattle, Washington 38,006 WTTV Week P3: at Green Bay Packers Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Preseason Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers – Game summary August 19, 1995 12 Noon EST Colts 6 0 3 8 3 Packers 0 17 0 0 0 Lambeau Field • Green Bay, Wisconsin 55,624 WTTV Week P4: vs. Chicago Bears Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap 1 September 3 Cincinnati Bengals L 21–24 (OT) 0–1 RCA Dome 42,445 Recap 2 September 10 at New York Jets W 27–24 (OT) 1–1 Giants Stadium 65,134 Recap 3 September 17 at Buffalo Bills L 14–20 1–2 Rich Stadium 62,499 Recap 4 Bye 5 October 1 St. Louis Rams W 21–18 2–2 RCA Dome 58,616 Recap 6 October 8 at Miami Dolphins W 27–24 (OT) 3–2 Joe Robbie Stadium 68,471 Recap 7 October 15 San Francisco 49ers W 18–17 4–2 RCA Dome 60,273 Recap 8 October 22 at Oakland Raiders L 17–30 4–3 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 53,543 Recap 9 October 29 New York Jets W 17–10 5–3 RCA Dome 49,250 Recap 10 November 5 Buffalo Bills L 10–16 5–4 RCA Dome 59,612 Recap 11 November 12 at New Orleans Saints L 14–17 5–5 Louisiana Superdome 44,122 Recap 12 November 19 at New England Patriots W 24–10 6–5 Foxboro Stadium 59,544 Recap 13 November 26 Miami Dolphins W 36–28 7–5 RCA Dome 60,414 Recap 14 December 3 at Carolina Panthers L 10–13 7–6 Memorial Stadium 49,841 Recap 15 December 10 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 41–31 8–6 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium 66,099 Recap 16 December 17 San Diego Chargers L 24–27 8–7 RCA Dome 55,318 Recap 17 December 23 New England Patriots W 10–7 9–7 RCA Dome 54,685 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary September 3, 1995 12 Noon EST Bengals (1–0) 3 10 8 0 3 Colts (0–1) 7 3 0 11 0 RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana 42,445 Walt Coleman NBC Tom Hammond (play-by-play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator) and Tunch Ilkin (sideline reporter) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 2 at Jets Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week Two: Indianapolis Colts (0–1) at New York Jets (0–1) September 10, 1995 3:05 p.m. EST Colts 0 3 7 14 3 Jets 14 3 7 0 0 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey 65,134 Sunny, 68 F C Larry Nemmers NBC Tom Hammond and Bob Trumpy Box Score, Box Score First quarter NYJ – Charles Wilson 5-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Nick Lowery kick), 5:52. Jets 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 70 yards, 9:08. NYJ – Otis Wilson 49-yard interception return (Nick Lowery kick), 3:51. Jets 14–0. Second quarter NYJ – Nick Lowery 28-yard field goal, 11:41. Jets 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards. IND – Mike Cofer 20-yard field goal, 0:27. Jets 17–3. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards. Third quarter NYJ – Wayne Chrebet 5-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Nick Lowery kick), 13:14. Jets 24–3. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards. IND – Tony Bennett 32-yard fumble return (Mike Cofer kick), 2:11. Jets 24–10. Fourth quarter IND – Sean Dawkins 15-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Mike Cofer kick), 8:46. Jets 24–17. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards. IND – Marshall Faulk 14-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Mike Cofer kick), 2:38. Tie 24–24. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards. Overtime IND – Mike Cofer 52-yard field goal, 10:33. Colts 27–24. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards. Top passers IND – Craig Erickson – 12/18, 141 yards, INT NYJ – Boomer Esiason – 19/30, 198 yards, 2 TD Top rushers IND – Marshall Faulk – 21 rushes, 81 yards NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 11 rushes, 52 yards Top receivers IND – Sean Dawkins – 5 receptions, 60 yards, TD NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 4 receptions, 68 yards Week 3: at Buffalo Bills Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – Game summary September 17, 1995 12 Noon EST Colts (1–2) 7 7 0 0 Bills (2–1) 7 7 3 3 Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York 62,499 Bernie Kukar NBC Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 5: vs. St. Louis Rams Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 5: St. Louis Rams at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary October 1, 1995 12 Noon EST Rams (4–1) 7 3 0 8 Colts (2–2) 7 7 7 0 RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana 58,616 Mike Carey FOX Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Jerry Glanville (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 6: at Miami Dolphins Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 6: Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins – Game summary October 8, 1995 3:01 p.m. EST Colts (3–2) 0 3 7 14 3 Dolphins (4–1) 14 10 0 0 0 Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida 68,471 Tom White NBC Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Paul Maguire (color commentator), Phil Simms (color commentator) and Jim Gray (sideline reporter) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 7: vs. San Francisco 49ers Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 7: San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary October 15, 1995 12 Noon EST 49ers (4–2) 0 7 7 3 Colts (4–2) 3 3 9 3 RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana 60,273 Gary Lane FOX Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Matt Millen (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 8: at Oakland Raiders Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 8: Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders – Game summary October 22, 1995 3:05 p.m. EST Colts (4–3) 3 7 7 0 Raiders (6–2) 7 3 17 3 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California 53,543 Gerry Austin NBC Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Beasley Reece (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 9: vs. New York Jets Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 9: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary October 29, 1995 1:00 p.m. EST Jets (2–7) 3 0 0 7 Colts (5–3) 3 14 0 0 RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana 49,250 Jerry Markbreit NBC Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 10: at Buffalo Bills Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 10: Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary November 5, 1995 4:05 p.m. EST Bills (6–3) 10 6 0 0 Colts (5–4) 7 0 3 0 RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana 59,612 Larry Nemmers NBC Dan Hicks (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 11: at New Orleans Saints Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 11: Indianapolis Colts at New Orleans Saints – Game summary November 12, 1995 Colts (5–5) 0 7 0 7 Saints (4–6) 0 7 7 3 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana 44,122 Dick Hantak NBC Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 12: at New England Patriots Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 11: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – Game summary November 19, 1995 Colts (6–5) 0 17 0 7 Patriots (4–7) 3 0 7 0 Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts 59,544 Ron Blum NBC Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Beasley Reece (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 13: Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary November 26, 1995 1:01 p.m. EST Dolphins (6–6) 0 6 8 14 Colts (7–5) 14 10 2 10 RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana 60,414 Bob McElwee NBC Jim Lampley (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 14: at Carolina Panthers Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 14: Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers – Game summary December 3, 1995 Colts (7–6) 10 0 0 0 Panthers (6–7) 0 10 0 3 Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina 49,841 Ed Hochuli NBC Jim Lampley (play-by-play) and Bob Golic (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 15: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary December 10, 1995 Colts 14 10 3 14 Jaguars 0 7 3 21 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida 1:00 pm EST/2:00 pm CST 49°, relative humidity 56%, wind 17 mph NBC Jim Donovan, and John Dockery 66,099 Mike Carey 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 Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 16: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary December 17, 1995 4:05 p.m. EST Chargers (8–7) 7 0 7 13 Colts (8–7) 3 7 0 14 RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana 55,318 Gary Lane NBC Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Beasley Reece (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 17: vs. New England Patriots Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 17: New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary December 23, 1995 8:01 p.m. EST Patriots (6–10) 0 7 0 0 Colts (9–7) 0 0 7 3 RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana 54,685 Howard Roe ESPN Mike Patrick (play-by-play), Joe Theismann (color commentator) and Mark Malone (sideline reporter) Pro-Football-Reference.com Standings 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 Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap Wild Card December 31, 1995 at San Diego Chargers (4) W 35–20 1–0 Jack Murphy Stadium 61,182 Recap Divisional January 7, 1996 at Kansas City Chiefs (1) W 10–7 2–0 Arrowhead Stadium 77,594 Recap Conference Championship January 14, 1996 at 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 Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers – Game summary December 31, 1995 4:00 p.m. EST Colts 0 14 7 14 Chargers 3 7 7 3 Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California 61,182 Gary Lane NBC Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Paul Maguire (color commentator), Phil Simms (color commentator) and Jim Gray (sideline reporter) Pro-Football-Reference.com IND SD collapsed 1 9:28 Chargers 9 30 3:25 FG 54 Carney 0 3 2 14:03 Colts 8 27 3:45 RecTD Dilger Harbaugh 2 good Blanchard run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 3 2 5:48 Chargers 18 68 8:15 RecTD Pupunu Humphries 6 good Carney run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 10 2 1:27 Colts 8 80 4:01 RushTD Crockett 33 good Blanchard run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 10 3 10:40 Chargers 7 81 3:39 RecTD Jefferson Humphries 11 good Carney run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 17 3 0:41 Colts 7 81 3:39 RecTD Dawkins Harbaugh 42 good Blanchard run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 17 4 11:53 Chargers 8 55 3:48 FG 30 Carney 21 20 4 11:28 Colts 1 66 0:25 RushTD Crockett 66 good Blanchard run/pass good/failed/incomplete 28 20 4 6:55 Colts 6 23 3:31 RushTD Harbaugh 3 good Blanchard run/pass good/failed/incomplete 35 20 35 20 AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) Kansas City Chiefs Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed AFC Divisional Playoffs: Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary January 7, 1996 4:00 p.m. EST Colts 0 7 3 0 Chiefs 7 0 0 0 Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 77,594 Jerry Markbreit NBC Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Paul Maguire (color commentator), Phil Simms (color commentator) and Jim Gray (sideline reporter) Pro-Football-Reference.com IND KC collapsed 1 0:29 Chiefs 5 62 2:28 RecTD Dawson Bono 6 good Elliott run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 2 5:49 Colts 18 77 8:40 RecTD Turner Harbaugh 5 good Blanchard run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 7 3 2:48 Colts 9 35 4:34 FG 30 Blanchard 10 7 10 7 AFC Championship Game: at (2) Pittsburgh Steelers Indianapolis Colts 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed AFC Championship Game: Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary January 14, 1996 12:30 p.m. EST Colts 3 3 3 7 Steelers 3 7 3 7 Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 61,062 Bernie Kukar NBC Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Paul Maguire (color commentator), Phil Simms (color commentator), Jim Gray (sideline reporter) and Will McDonough (sideline reporter) Pro-Football-Reference.com IND PIT collapsed 1 12:17 Colts 4 7 1:58 FG 34 Blanchard 3 0 1 1:50 Steelers 11 40 5:53 FG 31 Johnson 3 3 2 12:08 Colts 10 61 4:42 FG 36 Blanchard 6 3 2 0:13 Steelers 17 80 7:27 RecTD Stewart O'Donnell 5 good Johnson run/pass good/failed/incomplete 6 10 3 9:57 Colts 10 61 5:03 FG 37 Blanchard 9 10 3 0:43 Steelers 7 44 3:17 FG 36 Johnson 9 13 4 8:46 Colts 4 70 2:11 RecTD Turner Harbaugh 47 good Blanchard run/pass good/failed/incomplete 16 13 4 1:34 Steelers 8 67 1:29 RushTD Morris 1 good Johnson run/pass good/failed/incomplete 16 20 16 20 Awards and records Jim Harbaugh, NFL Passing Leader, (Passer Rating 100.7)NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, 0-7611-2480-2, p. 450 Jim Harbaugh, NFL Comeback Player of the Year See also History of the Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts seasons Colts–Patriots rivalry 1995 AFC Championship game References Indianapolis Colts Category:Indianapolis Colts seasons Colts