| Team: | Indianapolis Colts |
| Year: | 2021 |
| Record: | 9–8 |
| Division Place: | 2nd AFC South |
| Coach: | Frank Reich |
| Owner: | Jim Irsay |
| General Manager: | Chris Ballard |
| Stadium: | Lucas Oil Stadium |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Shortnavlink: | Colts seasons |
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.
See main article: 2021 NFL draft.
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Michigan | |||
| 2 | 54 | Vanderbilt | ||
| 4 | 127 | SMU | ||
| 5 | 165 | Florida | ||
| 6 | 206 | Texas | ||
| 7 | 229 | Charleston | ||
| 248 | Penn State |
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 | at Minnesota Vikings | W 12–10 | 2–0 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap | ||
| 3 | at Detroit Lions | W 27–17 | 3–0 | Ford Field | Recap |
The Colts' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.
With their 8th straight season-opening defeat, the Colts started 0–1.
With the loss, the Colts started 0–2 for the first time since 2017.
With this loss, the Colts started 0–3 for the first time since 2011.
With their first win of the season, the Colts improved to 1–3.
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.
The Colts recorded their third consecutive win over the Texans, and improved to 2–4.
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.
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.
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.
With their fourth consecutive home win over the Jaguars, the Colts improved to 5–5.
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.
The Colts blew a 10-point lead and turned the ball over five times, dropping them to 6–6.
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.
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]
Christmas Day gamesThe 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.
With this loss, the Colts fell to 9–7 and were prevented from clinching a playoff berth this week.
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.