The 2017 Indianapolis Colts season was the franchise's 65th season in the National Football League, 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 coachChuck 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.
The Colts traded Dwayne Allen and their sixth-round selection (No. 200 overall) to the New England Patriots for their fourth-round selection (No. 137 overall).
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 Cardinalsedit
Week Two: Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
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 Brownsedit
Week Three: Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
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 Jaguarsedit
Week Seven: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Jaguars
14
6
7
0
27
Colts
0
0
0
0
0
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: October 22
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
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 Bengalsedit
Week Eight: Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
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 Jaguarsedit
Week Thirteen: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
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 Billsedit
Week Fourteen: Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
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 Broncosedit
Week Fifteen: Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Broncos
0
7
15
3
25
Colts
7
3
3
0
13
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: December 14
Game time: 8:25 p.m. EST
Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
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 Ravensedit
Week Sixteen: Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
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.
^ abNew England claimed the No. 1 seed over Pittsburgh based on head-to-head victory.
^ abJacksonville claimed the No. 3 seed over Kansas City based on conference record.
^ abcdTennessee 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.
^ abOakland finished ahead of Miami based on head-to-head victory.
^ abDenver finished ahead of the New York Jets based on head-to-head victory.
^ abIndianapolis finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head sweep.
^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.
Referencesedit
^Bowen, Kevin (May 4, 2017). "Who Are The Colts 18 Undrafted Free Agents In 2017?". www.colts.com.
^"Colts Sign OL Kalis, Person; Place Bond On IR". Colts.com. October 3, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017.
^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)
^ abcItes, Andrew (September 2, 2017). "Colts Announce Full List of Roster Cuts". Horseshoe Heroes.
^Mock, Brett (July 30, 2017). "Colts claim TE Henry Krieger-Coble from waivers, waive TE Colin Jeter". Stampede Blue.
^ abcWilson, Josh (May 15, 2017). "With their rookie mini-camp over, Colts make a number of roster moves". Stampede Blue.
^"Colts Add Former Seattle Seahawks Safety Tyvis Powell". Colts.com. June 12, 2017. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017.