Indianapolis Colts Regular Season Review

NFL 2008 Playoffs Peyton Manning & the Colts are surging heading into the playoffs having won 9 games in a row

The Colts (12-4) Finished the NFL Regular Season as an AFC Wild Card

Halfway thru the NFL 2008 Season and after a mediocre 3-4 start, the Colts were in danger of not making the NFL playoffs for the first time in eight years.

And then the Colts All-Pro Quarterback Peyton Manning got healthy and the Colts turned their season around to earn their seventh consecutive playoff berth (9th in past 10 seasons) with nine consecutive victories.

In NBC NFL Analyst John Madden's opinion:

"The Colts right now are probably the definition of a team that is peaking coming into the playoffs."

During the 9-game winning streak, Peyton Manning led the Colts charge and compiled video-game type numbers.

Manning completed 209 of his 290 passing attempts (72.1 pass completion percentage) for 2,248 yards, 17 touchdown passes versus only 3 interceptions and a whopping 109.7 passer rating.

According to Madden it was the All-Pro Quarterback's return to health that spurred the Colts on this season:

"When the Colts started out slowly, people kind of gave up on them and then maybe forgot about them. And then boom -- Peyton Manning gets healthy, because he didn't start out healthy, and they win nine in a row. It's important that you're peaking at the end of the season."

The Colts nine-game winning streak over the last half of the season sets an NFL record as the Colts are the only team to win seven or more consecutive regular-season games in five consecutive seasons (8, 2004; 13, 2005; 9, 2006; 7 and 6, 2007; 9, 2008).

Indianapolis (2003-08) produced eleven-plus victories for the sixth consecutive year, joining the Dallas Cowboys (1976-81) as the only teams to accomplish that feat. Indianapolis (2003-08) extended its NFL mark to six consecutive seasons with 12+ victories, a record previously shared with Dallas (4 seasons, 1992-95).

The Colts have extended their streak of double-digit victory seasons to seven, tying the second-longest streak in NFL history (16, San Francisco, 1983-98; 7, Dallas, 1975-81).

On offense this regular season, the Colts ranked:

  • - 3rd in AFC passing offense, 5th in the NFL.
  • - 2nd in the AFC and 3rd in the NFL in sacks allowed per pass play, allowing one sack per 42.8 attempts.
  • - 3rd in the AFC and 4th in the NFL in 4th down conversion percentage. The Colts converted 11 of 16 fourth-down conversions (68.8%).
  • - 1st in the NFL in TD percentage inside the red zone, scoring a TD 68.0% of the time (33/50).

On offense this regular season, the Colts:

  • - Surrendered only six passing touchdowns, an NFL record for the fewest passing TDs allowed in a 16-game schedule (record was nine by Denver in 1978 and Pittsburgh in 1990).
  • - Are the only team to rank in the top-five in the AFC in pass offense (3) and pass defense (3) and one of two teams to rank in the top six in the NFL in pass offense (5) and pass defense (6) -(Philadelphia Eagles, 3/6).
  • - Finished in the top 10 in NFL pass defense for the third consecutive season, marking the first time since the 1970 NFL Merger that the team has finished ranked in the top 10 three consecutive seasons.
  • - Defense is 3rd in the AFC and 3rd in the NFL in TD percentage inside the red zone, allowing a TD 40.4% of the time (19/47).

Indianapolis Colts (12-4) NFL 2008 Regular Season

DateOpponentResult
Sunday September 7CHICAGO BEARS L 13-29
Sunday September 14@ Minnesota VikingsW 18-15
Sunday September 21JACKSONVILLE JAGUARSL 21-23
Sunday September 28Bye WeekBye
Sunday October 5@ Houston TexansW 31-27
Sunday October 12BALTIMORE RAVENSW 31-3
Sunday October 19@ Green Bay PackersL 14-34
Monday October 27@ Tennessee TitansL 21-31
Sunday November 2NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTSW 18-15
Sunday November 9@ Pittsburgh SteelersW 24-20
Sunday November 16HOUSTON TEXANSW 33-27
Sunday November 23@ San Diego ChargersW 23-20
Sunday November 30@ Cleveland BrownsW 10- 6
Sunday December 7CINCINNATI BENGALSW 35-3
Sunday December 14DETROIT LIONSW 31-21
Thursday December 18@ Jacksonville JaguarsW 31-24
Sunday December 28TENNESSEE TITANSW 23-0

 

NFL 2008 Game 1: Chicago Bears 29, Indianapolis Colts 13

The Colts began the NFL 2008 season with their first official game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday night against the Chicago Bears.

The Colts christened their new stadium by scoring first on Adam Vinatieri's 39-yard field goal. The Bears responded as rookie RB Matt Forté scored on a 50-yard TD run.

In the second quarter, Vinatieri kicked a 34-yard field goal to make the 7-6. However, Chicago increased its lead two Robbie Gould field goals (41-yard and 25-yard) and an Adewale Ogunleye safety when he tackled RB Joseph Addai in the endzone.

Trailing 15-6, the Colts scored on a Peyton Manning 6-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne capping a 7-play 52-yard drive. However, a few minutes later the Colts fumbled on their own side of the field which LB Lance Briggs returned 21 yards for a touchdown.

The Bears added another touchdown in the fourth quarter as FB Jason McKie scored a 1-yard TD run.

NFL 2008 Game 2: Indianapolis Colts 18, Minnesota Vikings 15

The home team Minnesota Vikings built up a 9-0 halftime lead as Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell converted 3 field goals (45-yard, 27-yard and 53-yard). It marked the first time since October 2006 that the Colts were shut out in a first half of a game.

The Minnesota Vikings increased their lead in the 3rd quarter to 15-0 on two more Longwell field goals (46-yard and a 28-yard). Towards the end of the 3rd quarter, the Colts engineered a 6-play 80-yard drive in 2 minutes 45 seconds which culminated in a Joseph Addai a 1-yard TD run.

The Colts drew closer in the 4th quarter as QB Peyton Manning completed a 32-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne and tied the score on the ensuing 2-point conversion run by RB Dominic Rhodes.

The Indianapolis Colts completed their rally as Adam Vinatieri converted the game-winning 47-yard field goal as time expired.

NFL 2008 Game 3: Jacksonville Jaguars 23, Indianapolis Colts 21

The host Indianapolis Colts drew first blood in this AFC division rivalry on the first possession on offense. QB Peyton Manning completed a 4-yard TD pass to WR Marvin Harrison to cap a 7-play 80-yard drive in 3:57.

In the second quarter, the Jaguars took the lead on Josh Scobee's 26-yard field goal and CB Rashean Mathis return of an interception for 61 yards and a touchdown. The Colts regained the lead to close out the half as RB Joseph Addai scored on a 3-yard TD run.

The Jacksonville Jaguars regained the lead when RB Maurice Jones-Drew scored on a 6-yard TD run. In the final quarter, the Jaguars increased their lead with a Scobee 21-yard field goal. The Colts regained the lead yet again, 21-20, on Addai's 2-yard TD run with 1:07 remaning in the game. However, the Jaguars compiled a 7-play 47-yard driver after the ensuing kickoff to position Scobee for the game-winning 51-yard field goal as time expired

NFL 2008 Game 4: Indianapolis Colts 31, Houston Texans 27

With a 1-2 record the Colts headed to Houston to face the Texans. The Colts scored the first 10 points of the game thanks to an Adam Vinatieri 46-yard field goal and Joseph Addai a 1-yard TD run. But the Texans responded in the second quarter with 17 unanswered points. Rookie RB Steve Slaton scored on a 1-yard TD run, Kris Brown kicked a 37-yard field goal, and QB Sage Rosenfels completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson.

The Texans extended their lead in the 3rd quarter to 20-10 on a Kris Brown 43-yard field goal. In the 4th quarter, the Texans scored their 27th unanswered point on Steve Slaton's 1-yard TD run with 8:18 remaining in the game.

With the Texans building an almost insurmountable 27-10 lead the Colts appeared destined to lose. However, on the ensuing drive, the Colts marched 81 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown taking only 4:14 off the clock. The drive was capped by a QB Peyton Manning 7-yard TD pass to rookie TE Tom Santi. The Colts continued the rally when LB Gary Brackett returned a fumble 68 yards for a touchdown. With 3:36 remaining in the game, the Colts were now trailing 27-24.

Manning completed the rally with a 5-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne and a Colts 31-27 victory.

NFL 2008 Game 5: Indianapolis Colts 31, Baltimore Ravens 3

After their comeback from behind victory on the road, the Colts headed home to host the Baltimore Ravens. The Colts got off to a great start as they scored 17 points in the first quarter, followed by 7 points in the 2nd to take a 24-0 lead at halftime.

On their first offensive possession, the Colts engineered a 4-play 79-yard drive while taking only 1:36 off the game clock. QB Peyton Manning completed a 67-yard TD pass to WR Marvin Harrison for the 7-0 lead. Later in the 1st quarter, Peyton Manning connected on a 22-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne and Adam Vinatieri kicked a 37-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Colts tacked on another touchdown when Manning completed a 5-yard TD pass to Harrison.

With a commanding 24-0 lead, the Colts never looked back as the Colts built a 31-0 lead before the Ravens scored their only points of the day on a field goal.

NFL 2008 Game 6: Green Bay Packers 34, Indianapolis Colts 14

On the road at Green Bay, the Indianapolis Colts found themselves in a hole as the Packers led 27-7 at the end of three quarters. The Packers scored first on a Mason Crosby 31-yard field goal. The Colts regained the lead as RB Dominic Rhodes scored on a 3-yard TD run.

But then the Packers scored 31 straight points and there would be no comeback for the Colts this week.

In the second quarter, Green Bay regained the lead as QB Aaron Rodgers completed a 12-yard TD pass to TE Donald Lee. Then, RB Ryan Grant scored on a 11-yard TD run. In the third quarter, the Packers increased their lead as Free Safety Nick Collins returned an interception 62 yards for a touchdown. Mason Crosby kicked a 29-yard field goal.

In the fourth quarter, Green Bay scored again when Safety Aaron Rouse returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown.

The Colts scored on Rhodes' 1-yard TD run, but by then the game was over. With 1:41 remaining the Packer ran out the clock.

NFL 2008 Game 7: Tennessee Titans 31, Indianapolis Colts 21

In an AFC South showdown on Monday Night Football, the Tennessee Titans scored 25 consecutive points in the second half to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 31-21 at home.

After falling behind 14-6, quarterback Kerry Collins directed scoring drives on each of Tennessee's first four possessions in the second half. On the team's fifth possession of the half, following a failed Indianapolis onside kick, Collins knelt twice to end the game, completing an evening in which he completed 24 of 37 passes for 193 yards and no interceptions.

The Colts had a 317 to 281 advantage in total yards, but the Titans defense countered that with a pair of interceptions by safety Chris Hope and two key stops on fourth down in the second half.

Helped by a 42-yard return by Chris Carr on the opening kickoff, the Titans jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. They drove 40 yards on 11 plays and scored on a 34-yard field goal by Rob Bironas.

The Colts then took the lead later in the first quarter. After gaining control on the Tennessee 37, it took only four plays to score a touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Peyton Manning to Dallas Clark.

In the second quarter, Bironas added a 34-yard field goal for the Titans.

The score remained 7-6 until the Colts extended their lead to 14-6 early in the third quarter. They drove 64 yards on nine plays, including a 19-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Clark once again.

The Titans wrestled momentum back to their side with a 14-play, 80-yard drive that consumed seven minutes and 45 seconds before White scored his first touchdown. During the possession, they converted three third-down attempts, which included a 23-yard reception by Justin McCareins and a 15-yard catch by Brandon Jones.

Then, on the ensuing drive by the Colts, they faced a fourth-and-one at their own 49-yard line. Dominic Rhodes took a handoff but was met in the backfield by linebacker Stephen Tulloch for a one-yard loss.

The Colts encountered a similar scenario on their next drive. But on a fourth-and-two from the Tennessee 34, cornerback Nick Harper broke up a pass intended for Marvin Harrison to again give the ball back to the Titans with 11:28 on the clock in the fourth quarter. White scored his second touchdown of the day 13 plays later.

With the Titans ahead 24-14, Hope returned his second interception 39 yards to the Indianapolis 16. On the next play, Johnson took a carry to the end zone for the Titans final score.

NFL 2008 Game 8: Indianapolis Colts 18, New England Patriots 15

After two consecutive road losses and a mediocre 3-4 record, the Colts headed back to Indianapolis to host the Patriots.

After the Colts took a 7-0 lead on a Peyton Manning a 12-yard TD pass to WR Anthony Gonzalez, the Patriots rallied to take a 12-7 lead on a pair of Stephen Gostkowski field goals (29-yard and a 35-yard) and a BenJarvus Green-Ellis 6-yard TD run.

The Colts then regained the lead (15-12) with a touchdown on a Manning 9-yard TD pass to Gonzalez again, along with a 2-point conversion pass to WR Reggie Wayne. The Patriots tied the score again on a Gostkowski 25-yard field goal early in the final quarter.

The Indianapolis Colts won the tight game after a game-winning 52-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri in the fourth quarter broke a 15-15 tie.

NFL 2008 Game 9: Indianapolis Colts 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 20

Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning hit RB Dominic Rhodes for a 17-yard touchdown reception with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Colts a 24-20 come-from-behind victory over Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.

The Steelers fell to 6-3 with the loss while the Colts improved to 5-4, marking their first win in Pittsburgh since 1968.

The Steelers jumped on the board first, taking the opening kickoff 62 yards in 10 plays as RB Mewelde Moore scored the first of his two rushing touchdowns when he scored from one-yard out to give Pittsburgh the 7-0 advantage.

Indianapolis answered right back when Manning's deep pass down the left sideline was tipped by Steelers CB Ike Taylor, but caught by WR Reggie Wayne for a 65-yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 7-7.

After Moore scored his second touchdown on another one-yard plunge early in the second quarter and K Jeff Reed nailed a 42-yard field goal near the end of the half, it appeared that the Steelers would take a 10-point lead into the half. With time running out, Colts DB Keiwan Ratliff intercepted Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger deep in Steelers' territory, setting up a two-yard touchdown strike from Manning to TE Dallas Clark to cut the Steelers halftime lead to 17-14.

Indianapolis tied the score with 8:14 to play in the third quarter when K Adam Vinatieri converted a 36-yard field goal to knot the game at 17-17.

Pittsburgh regained the lead midway through the fourth quarter when Reed hit his second field goal of the contest, this time from 24 yards away, to give the Steelers a 20-17 advantage. However, the Steelers were stopped short on three tries inside the five-yard line prior to Reed's field goal.

After Roethlisberger threw his second interception of the game, this time to Colts DB Tim Jennings, Manning found Rhodes for his third touchdown pass of the game. DB Melvin Bullitt intercepted Roethlisberger's last-ditch attempt in the end zone as time expired to secure the 24-20 victory for the Colts.

NFL 2008 Game 10: Indianapolis Colts 33, Houston Texans 27

After their road win over the Steelers, the Colts went home for a Week 11 AFC South rematch with the Houston Texans. In the first quarter, Indianapolis trailed early as Texans kicker Kris Brown booted a 28-yard field goal. The Colts responded with Adam Vinatieri's 40-yard field goal. Houston answered back a 34-yard field goal.

In the second quarter, the Colts tied the game on a Vinatieri 39-yard field goal. The Texans retook the lead when RB Ahman Green scored a 1-yard TD run. Indianapolis closed out the half tied at 14 as Vinatieri made a 32-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Colts took the lead when Peyton Manning completed a 23-yard TD pass to RB Joseph Addai. Houston responded as rookie RB Steve Slaton ran for a 71-yard TD run. The Colts regained the lead on an Addai 7-yard TD run.

In the fourth quarter, the Texans mounted a comeback as Green kicked a 2-yard field goal. But the Texans inability to score a touchdown on that drive in what had been a see-saw battle proved to be their downfall as the Colts pulled away with a Vinatieri 31-yard field goal.

On the Texans final drive, QB Sage Rosenfels was intercepted by safety Melvin Bullitt preserving the Colts' third consecutive win.

NFL 2008 Game 11: Indianapolis Colts 23, San Diego Chargers 20

Adam Vinatieri booted field goals of 23, 38 and 51 yards on the road, the final one coming as time expired as as Indianapolis prevailed, 23-20.

The Colts survived a late 10-point Chargers rally that tied the contest with 1:30 remaining. Peyton Manning was 32-44-255, 2 TDs, while Philip Rivers was 24-31-288, 2 TDs.

Manning brought the Colts back from a 10-3 second-quarter deficit, and the Colts led most of the final half. Anthony Gonzalez snared a scoring reception, as did Dominic Rhodes. The Chargers out-rushed the Colts, 120-91. DE-Robert Mathis had two sacks and a forced fumble.

NFL 2008 Game 12: Indianapolis Colts 10, Cleveland Browns 6

In the 10-6 setback to the Colts, the Browns held a 6-3 lead in the fourth quarter, however, the Colts defense scored the only touchdown of the game as DE Dwight Freeney sacked QB Derek Anderson and forced a fumble as DE Robert Mathis recovered the miscue and raced 37 yards for the touchdown and the 10-6 final.

The Browns opened the scoring in the first quarter with a K Phil Dawson 34-yard field goal. Dawson increased the lead to 6-3 in the second half with a 25-yard field goal and the Browns defense held the Colts with a goal line stand on a 4th-and-1 late in the second quarter to secure a 6-3 halftime lead.

NFL 2008 Game 13: Indianapolis Colts 35, Cincinnati Bengals 3

After close games the previous 5 weeks, the Colts capitalized on the opportunity and feasted on the Bengals winning 35-3 at home.

The Bengals trailed only 7-3 late in the first half, and had the ball with just over one minute remaining. But Colts DB Kelvin Hayden's INT of a QB Ryan Fitzpatrick pass set up the Colts for a score that put them up 14-3 at halftime, and the Colts sewed things up with two more TDs in the third quarter.

The Colts defeated the Bengals lost for the fifth straight time in Indianapolis. Colts QB Peyton Manning posted a 134.0 passer rating for the game, completing 26 of 32 (81.3 percent) for 277 yards, with three TDs and no INTs. In the fourth quarter, Colts DB Hayden snagged a second INT and returned it for 85 yards and a touchdown. For the Colts it was their 6th straight win and improved their record to 9-4.

NFL 2008 Game 14: Indianapolis Colts 31, Detroit Lions 21

On the game's opening drive, the Colts scored as Dominic Rhodes carried the ball seven times for 41 yards, including a 1-yard run into the end zone for the 7-0 score with 7:41 remaining in the first quarter.

On the ensuing drive the Colts held the Lions to a three-and-out. However, Keiwan Ratliff muffed the Lions punt and Anthony Cannon recovered the ball at the Indianapolis 35-yard line. The Lions capitalized on the turnover with a Jason Hanson 51-yard field goal to make the score 7-3.

In the second quarter Peyton Manning led the Colts offense down the field as he connected on 5-of-7 passes for 39 yards. Colts RB Chad Simpson scored on a two-yard run to put the Colts up 14-3. The Lions quickly responded on the next drive as QB Dan Orlovsky connected with WR Calvin Johnson (8 yards), TE Michael Gaines (33 yards) and Johnson again (33 yards) for a touchdown to cap the 3-play, 69-yard drive and edge the Lions closer, 14-10.

With a little less than 2 minutes remaining in the half, the Colts scored again as Manning connected with TE Dallas Clark four times for 57 yards on the drive, including a 3- yard touchdown to end the first half with a 21-10 lead.

In the third quarter, the Lions edged closer (21-13) on Hanson's 30-yard field goal to make the score 13-21. The Lions scored again as Orlovsky connected on 6-of-7 passes for 62 yards and Smith carried the ball six times for 26 yards, including the 1-yard touchdown run that capped the 13-play, 91-yard drive. Orlovsky connected with Fitzsimmons for the two-point conversion to tie the game, 21-21 with 12:58 left in the game.

On the following drive the Colts took the lead again as Rhodes scored on another 1-yard run. The Colts scored again two drives later on Adam Vinatieri's 31-yard field goal with 0:44 remaining in the game for the Colts 31-21 win.

NFL 2008 Game 15: Indianapolis Colts 31, Jacksonville Jaguars 24

NFL 2008 Week 16 get off to a predictable note on Thursday night as the Colts defeated the Jaguars on the road, 31-24.

The Jaguars scored touchdowns on their first two drives to build a 14-0 lead, but were outscored 24-7 in the second half. David Garrard threw for a career high 329 yards and directed the Jaguars offense to 409 yards of total offense.

Peyton Manning was 29-for-34, passed for 364 yards and three TDs as the Colts (11-4) won their 8th in a row and, more importantly, clinched a playoffs berth as the AFC's 5th seed.

NFL 2008 Game 16: Indianapolis Colts 23, Tennessee Titans 0

The Colts defeated the resting Titans at home by the score of 23-0. There were no playoff implications in the game.

Related

Indianapolis Colts Regular Season Review - NFL 2008