1987 Indianapolis Colts season



The 1987 Indianapolis Colts season was the 35th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL) and fourth in Indianapolis. It was also their first full season under head coach Ron Meyer, who had taken over an 0-13 Colts team the previous season after Rod Dowhower was fired.

The team finished the strike-shortened season with a record of 9-6 and won the AFC East 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 produced a documentary about the team's season entitled Off and Running; it was narrated by Jeff Kaye.

NFL replacement players
After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:

Week P1 (Saturday, August 15, 1987): at Detroit Lions

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Week P2 (Saturday, August 22, 1987): at Minnesota Vikings

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Week P3 (Saturday, August 29, 1987): vs. Houston Oilers

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Week P4 (Saturday, September 5, 1987): vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 * Point spread:
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 * Time of Game: 3 hours, 19 minutes

Regular season
On October 31, 1987, the Los Angeles Rams traded Eric Dickerson 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 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.

Week 1 (Sunday, September 13, 1987): vs. Cincinnati Bengals

 * Point spread: Colts +5½
 * Over/Under: 44.0 (push)
 * Time of Game: 2 hours, 48 minutes

Week 2 (Sunday, September 20, 1987): vs. Miami Dolphins

 * Point spread: Colts +5
 * Over/Under: 46.5 (under)
 * Time of Game: 3 hours, 0 minutes

Week 3 (Sunday, September 27, 1987): at St. Louis Cardinals
Cancelled due to player's strike.

Week 4 (Sunday, October 4, 1987): at Buffalo Bills

 * Point spread: Colts –3.5
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This game was played with replacement players.

Week 5 (Sunday, October 11, 1987): vs. New York Jets

 * Point spread: Colts –11
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This game was played with replacement players.

Week 6 (Sunday, October 18, 1987): at Pittsburgh Steelers

 * Point spread: Colts +11½
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This game was played with replacement players.

Week 7 (Sunday, October 25, 1987): vs. New England Patriots

 * Point spread: 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: Colts +7
 * Over/Under: 44.0 (under)
 * Time of Game: 2 hours, 50 minutes


 * Eric Dickerson's first game with Colts

Week 9 (Sunday, November 8, 1987): vs. San Diego Chargers

 * Point spread: Colts Pick'em
 * Over/Under: 45.0 (under)
 * Time of Game: 2 hours, 57 minutes

Week 10 (Sunday, November 15, 1987): at Miami Dolphins

 * Point spread: 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: Colts +1
 * Over/Under: 39.0 (under)
 * Time of Game: 3 hours, 5 minutes

Week 12 (Sunday, November 29, 1987): vs. Houston Oilers

 * Point spread: Colts –3½
 * Over/Under: 42.0 (over)
 * Time of Game: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Week 13 (Sunday, December 6, 1987): at Cleveland Browns

 * Point spread: 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: 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: Colts +3½
 * Over/Under: 42.0 (under)
 * Time of Game: 3 hours, 8 minutes

Week 16 (Sunday, December 27, 1987): vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 * Point spread:
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 * Time of Game: 3 hours, 18 minutes

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 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.

AFC Divisional Playoffs (Saturday, January 9, 1988): at (A2) Cleveland Browns

 * Point spread:
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 * Time of Game: 3 hours, 15 minutes