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The
1987
File:1987 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The MS Herald of Free Enterprise capsizes after leaving the Port of Zeebrugge in Belgium, killing 193; Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashes after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, ...
Indianapolis Colts season
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and ...
was the 35th season for the team in the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...
(NFL) and fourth in
Indianapolis. It was also their first full season under head coach
Ron Meyer
Ronald Shaw Meyer (February 17, 1941 – December 5, 2017) was an American college and professional football coach. He is best known for having been the head coach of Southern Methodist University, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts ...
, who had taken over an 0-13 Colts team the previous season after
Rod Dowhower
Rodney Douglas Dowhower (born April 15, 1943) is a former American football player and coach. He was the head coach at Stanford University and Vanderbilt University; in between he was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Footba ...
was fired.
The team finished the
strike-shortened season with a record of 9-6 and won the
AFC East
East or Orient is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from west and is the direction from which the Sun rises on the Earth.
Etymology
As in other languages, the word is formed from the fac ...
division.
This season marked the first winning season, division championship, and the first trip to the playoffs for the Colts in Indianapolis. It was the franchise's first playoff appearance in
ten seasons.
NFL Films
NFL Productions, LLC, doing business as NFL Films, is the film and television production company of the National Football League. It produces commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries for and about the NFL, as well as ...
produced a documentary about the team's season entitled ''Off and Running''; it was narrated by
Jeff Kaye.
Offseason
NFL draft
NFL replacement players
After the league decided to use replacement players during the
NFLPA
The National Football League Players Association, or NFLPA, is a labor union representing National Football League (NFL) players. The NFLPA, which has headquarters in Washington, D.C., is led by president J. C. Tretter and executive director DeM ...
strike, the following team was assembled:
Roster
Pre season
Schedule
Preseason Game summaries
Week P1 (Saturday, August 15, 1987): at Detroit Lions
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:
Week P2 (Saturday, August 22, 1987): at
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. Founded in 1960 as an expansi ...
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:
Week P3 (Saturday, August 29, 1987): vs.
Houston Oilers
The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team that played in Houston from its founding in 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Memphis, and later Nashville, Tennessee becoming the Tennessee Titans. The Oilers began play in 1960 a ...
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:
Week P4 (Saturday, September 5, 1987): vs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The cl ...
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 19 minutes
Regular season
On October 31, 1987, the Los Angeles Rams traded
Eric Dickerson
Eric Demetric Dickerson (born September 2, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. Dickerson played college football for the Mustangs of Southern Meth ...
to the Indianapolis Colts in a three team trade involving the Buffalo Bills. The Rams sent Dickerson to the Colts for six draft choices and two players. Buffalo obtained the rights to
Cornelius Bennett
Cornelius O'Landa Bennett (born August 25, 1965) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Buffalo Bills from 1987 to 1995, Atlanta Falcons from 1996 to 1998 ...
from Indianapolis. Buffalo sent running back
Greg Bell and three draft choices to the Rams, while Indianapolis added
Owen Gill and three of their own draft picks to complete the deal with the Rams.
Schedule
Regular Season Game summaries
Week 1 (Sunday, September 13, 1987): vs. Cincinnati Bengals
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts +5½
* Over/Under: 44.0 (push)
* Time of Game: 2 hours, 48 minutes
Week 2 (Sunday, September 20, 1987): vs.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member team of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team p ...
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts +5
* Over/Under: 46.5 (under)
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 0 minutes
Week 3 (Sunday, September 27, 1987): at
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals ha ...
Cancelled due to
player's strike.
Week 4 (Sunday, October 4, 1987): at Buffalo Bills
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts –3.5
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:
This game was played with replacement players.
Week 5 (Sunday, October 11, 1987): vs. New York Jets
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts –11
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:
This game was played with replacement players.
Week 6 (Sunday, October 18, 1987): at Pittsburgh Steelers
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts +11½
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:
This game was played with replacement players.
Week 7 (Sunday, October 25, 1987): vs. New England Patriots
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts +6½
* Over/Under: 44.0 (over)
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 8 minutes
Week 8 (Sunday, November 1, 1987): at New York Jets
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts +7
* Over/Under: 44.0 (under)
* Time of Game: 2 hours, 50 minutes
*
Eric Dickerson
Eric Demetric Dickerson (born September 2, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. Dickerson played college football for the Mustangs of Southern Meth ...
's first game with Colts
Week 9 (Sunday, November 8, 1987): vs. San Diego Chargers
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts Pick'em
* Over/Under: 45.0 (under)
* Time of Game: 2 hours, 57 minutes
Week 10 (Sunday, November 15, 1987): at
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member team of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team p ...
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts +7
* Over/Under: 46.0 (over)
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 23 minutes
Week 11 (Sunday, November 22, 1987): at New England Patriots
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts +1
* Over/Under: 39.0 (under)
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 5 minutes
Week 12 (Sunday, November 29, 1987): vs.
Houston Oilers
The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team that played in Houston from its founding in 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Memphis, and later Nashville, Tennessee becoming the Tennessee Titans. The Oilers began play in 1960 a ...
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts –3½
* Over/Under: 42.0 (over)
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Week 13 (Sunday, December 6, 1987): at
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. Named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, they compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (A ...
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts +8
* Over/Under: 42.0 (under)
* Time of Game: 2 hours, 56 minutes
Week 14 (Sunday, December 13, 1987): vs. Buffalo Bills
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts –3½
* Over/Under: 44.5 (under)
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 12 minutes
Week 15 (Sunday, December 20, 1987): at San Diego Chargers
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
: Colts +3½
* Over/Under: 42.0 (under)
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 8 minutes
Week 16 (Sunday, December 27, 1987): vs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The cl ...
*
Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 18 minutes
Standings
Stats
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Kicking
Punting
Kick Return
Punt Return
Sacks
Interceptions
Fumbles
Tackles
Scoring Summary
Team
Quarter-by-quarter
Playoffs
The team received a bye for the Wild-Card round of the playoffs and traveled to
Cleveland
Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...
for the Divisional round. After being tied with Browns for most of the game the 4th quarter proved to be their undoing, as they were outscored 17–7.
Playoff Game summaries
AFC Wild Card Playoffs: First-round bye
AFC Divisional Playoffs (Saturday, January 9, 1988): at (A2)
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. Named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, they compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (A ...
The Football Database
Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
*Point spread
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple "win or lose" outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting.
...
:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 15 minutes
References
See also
* History of the Indianapolis Colts
* List of Indianapolis Colts seasons
The Indianapolis Colts, formerly the Baltimore Colts, are an American football team playing in the National Football League (NFL). This list documents the season-by-season records of the Colts franchise from to present, including postseason recor ...
* Colts–Patriots rivalry
The Colts–Patriots rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) National Football League rivalries, rivalry between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots. It is considered one of the most famous rivalries in the NFL from the 2000s ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:1987 Indianapolis Colts season
Indianapolis Colts
AFC East championship seasons
Indianapolis Colts seasons
Indianapolis Colts