2018 Indianapolis Colts season

The 2018 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 66th in the National Football League and their 35th in Indianapolis. It was also their first season under head coach Frank Reich and second under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard. Despite a 1–5 start, the Colts managed to improve on their 4–12 campaign from the year prior with a 38–10 victory over the Tennessee Titans, and a 5-game winning streak. On Week 16, the Colts achieved their first winning season since 2014 with a 28–27 win against the New York Giants. The next week, they beat the Tennessee Titans in a win or go home match-up to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and became the third team in NFL history to qualify for the playoffs after a 1–5 start and first since the 2015 Chiefs.

2018 Indianapolis Colts season
OwnerJim Irsay
General managerChris Ballard
Head coachFrank Reich
Home fieldLucas Oil Stadium
Results
Record10–6
Division place2nd AFC South
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(at Texans) 21–7
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at Chiefs) 13–31
Pro BowlersQB Andrew Luck
TE Eric Ebron
G Quenton Nelson
Uniform

In the wild-card round, the Colts defeated the Houston Texans 21–7, but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round 31–13, ending their season.

This would be the last season that the Colts would have franchise quarterback Andrew Luck, as he would retire following the season, citing his continuous struggle with injuries and no longer enjoying the game.[1]

Offseason

Coaching changes

On December 31, 2017, the Colts parted ways with head coach Chuck Pagano, who had led the team for six seasons. After two interviews, it was widely reported that the Colts would hire New England Patriots' offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to replace him, after McDaniels fulfilled his obligations to the Patriots in Super Bowl LII.[2] The Colts announced on the team website that they had agreed to terms with McDaniels and scheduled a press conference with McDaniels for February 5, 2018. However, one day later, McDaniels unexpectedly withdrew from the agreement in principle to become the Colts' head coach.[3][4] On February 11, 2018, after interviewing multiple candidates, including Leslie Frazier and Dan Campbell, the Colts announced the hiring of Frank Reich, formerly the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator.[5]

Draft
Main article: 2018 NFL Draft
2018 Indianapolis Colts Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
16 Quenton NelsonGuardNotre DameFrom NY Jets
236 Shaquille LeonardLinebackerSouth Carolina State
37 Braden SmithGuardAuburnFrom NY Jets
52 Kemoko TurayDefensive endRutgersFrom Baltimore via Philadelphia
64 Tyquan LewisDefensive endOhio StateFrom Philadelphia via Cleveland
4104 Nyheim HinesRunning backNC State
5159 Daurice FountainWide receiverNorthern IowaFrom Kansas City via Cleveland, New England, and Oakland
169 Jordan WilkinsRunning backOle MissFrom Philadelphia
6185 Deon CainWide receiverClemsonFrom Oakland
7221 Matthew AdamsLinebackerHouston
235 Zaire FranklinLinebackerSyracuseFrom Seattle via NY Jets

Draft trades

  • The Colts traded their first-round selection (3rd overall) to the Jets in exchange for the Jets' first-round selection (6th overall), two second-round selections (37th and 49th overall), and their second-round selection in 2019.
  • The Colts traded a second-round selection they received from the Jets (49th overall) to the Eagles in exchange for the Eagles' second-round selection (52nd overall) and fifth-round selection (169th overall).
  • The Colts traded their third-round selection (67th overall) and their sixth-round selection (178th overall) to the Browns in exchange for the Browns' second-round selection (64th overall).
  • The Colts traded their fifth-round selection (140th overall) to the Raiders in exchange for the Raiders' fifth-round selection (159th overall) and sixth-round selection (185th overall).
  • The Colts traded defensive end Henry Anderson to the Jets in exchange for the Jets' seventh-round pick previously acquired from Seattle (235th overall).

Staff
2018 Indianapolis Colts staff
Front office
  • Owner – Jim Irsay
  • General manager – Chris Ballard
  • Vice president of player personnel – Rex Hogan
  • Vice president of player personnel – Ed Dodds
  • Senior player personnel scout – Todd Vasvari
  • Director of football administration – Mike Bluem
  • Director of pro personnel – Kevin Rogers Jr.
  • Director of college scouting – Morocco Brown
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Matt Tarpening
  • Player personnel strategist – Brian Decker

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Director of sports performance – Rusty Jones
  • Sports science & conditioning – Ryan Podell
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Richard Howell
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Doug McKenney

Final roster
2018 Indianapolis Colts final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 16 inactive, 10 practice squad

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 9 at Seattle Seahawks W 19–17 1–0 CenturyLink Field Recap
2 August 20 Baltimore Ravens L 19–20 1–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
3 August 25 San Francisco 49ers W 23–17 2–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
4 August 30 at Cincinnati Bengals W 27–26 3–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule

The Colts' 2018 schedule was announced on April 19.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 9 Cincinnati Bengals L 23–34 0–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
2 September 16 at Washington Redskins W 21–9 1–1 FedEx Field Recap
3 September 23 at Philadelphia Eagles L 16–20 1–2 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
4 September 30 Houston Texans L 34–37 (OT) 1–3 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
5 October 4 at New England Patriots L 24–38 1–4 Gillette Stadium Recap
6 October 14 at New York Jets L 34–42 1–5 MetLife Stadium Recap
7 October 21 Buffalo Bills W 37–5 2–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
8 October 28 at Oakland Raiders W 42–28 3–5 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap
9 Bye
10 November 11 Jacksonville Jaguars W 29–26 4–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
11 November 18 Tennessee Titans W 38–10 5–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
12 November 25 Miami Dolphins W 27–24 6–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
13 December 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 0–6 6–6 TIAA Bank Field Recap
14 December 9 at Houston Texans W 24–21 7–6 NRG Stadium Recap
15 December 16 Dallas Cowboys W 23–0 8–6 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
16 December 23 New York Giants W 28–27 9–6 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
17 December 30 at Tennessee Titans W 33–17 10–6 Nissan Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week One: Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 3 7 71734
Colts 3 13 7023

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Despite leading 23–10 in the second half, the Bengals managed to pull off a comeback to win 34–23. The Colts had a chance to win the game late. However, while driving down the field, Jack Doyle lost a fumble which was returned 83 yards for a touchdown, putting the game away. This was the Colts 4th straight opening day loss.

Week 2: at Washington Redskins
Week Two: Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 7 0721
Redskins 0 3 339

at FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

Game information

With the win, the Colts evened their record at 1-1.

Week 3: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week Three: Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 0 6316
Eagles 7 3 3720

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Game information

In a rain-filled affair, the Colts were unable to nurse a late lead, as they lost to the defending champion Eagles 20-16 and fell to 1–2.

Week 4: vs. Houston Texans
Week Four: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Texans 14 7 73637
Colts 7 3 714334

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: September 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny, 73 °F (23 °C) (retractable roof open)
  • Game attendance: 57,716
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In a shootout, the Texans were able to pull it out in overtime, winning 37–34, as the Colts fell to 1–3.

Week 5: at New England Patriots
Week Five: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 3 71424
Patriots 7 17 01438

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

The Colts were seeking their first road win over the Patriots since their 2006 Super Bowl-winning season.

Week 6: at New York Jets
Week Six: Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 6 71434
Jets 10 13 10942

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Week 7: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week Seven: Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 505
Colts 0 24 01337

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: October 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 56,848
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 8: at Oakland Raiders
Week Eight: Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 10 3 82142
Raiders 0 14 14028

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: October 28
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 69 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 54,372
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and Amanda Balionis
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 10: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Ten: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 7 9 7326
Colts 14 15 0029

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Week 11: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week Eleven: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Titans 0 3 0710
Colts 7 17 7738

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 57,401
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon and James Lofton
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 12: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 7 3724
Colts 7 7 01327

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 57,069
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Bruce Arians and Melanie Collins
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 13: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Thirteen: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 0 000
Jaguars 0 3 036

at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

Game information

Week 14: at Houston Texans
Week Fourteen: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 17 7024
Texans 7 0 7721

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Week 15: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week Fifteen: Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 0 000
Colts 7 3 10323

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Week 16: vs. New York Giants
Week Sixteen: New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 14 3 7327
Colts 0 7 14728

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: December 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 61,738
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon and Steve Tasker
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 17: at Tennessee Titans
Week Seventeen: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 10 7933
Titans 0 10 7017

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

Division
AFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Houston Texans 11 5 0 .688 4–2 9–3 402 316 W1
(6) Indianapolis Colts 10 6 0 .625 4–2 7–5 433 344 W4
Tennessee Titans 9 7 0 .563 3–3 5–7 310 303 L1
Jacksonville Jaguars 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 245 316 L1

Conference
AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Kansas City Chiefs West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 .480 .401 W1
2[lower-alpha 2] New England Patriots East 11 5 0 .688 5–1 8–4 .482 .494 W2
3[lower-alpha 2] Houston Texans South 11 5 0 .688 4–2 9–3 .471 .435 W1
4 Baltimore Ravens North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 8–4 .496 .450 W3
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 1] Los Angeles Chargers West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .477 .422 W1
6 Indianapolis Colts South 10 6 0 .625 4–2 7–5 .465 .456 W4
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Pittsburgh Steelers North 9 6 1 .594 4–1–1 6–5–1 .504 .448 W1
8 Tennessee Titans South 9 7 0 .563 3–3 5–7 .520 .465 L1
9 Cleveland Browns North 7 8 1 .469 3–2–1 5–6–1 .516 .411 L1
10 Miami Dolphins East 7 9 0 .438 4–2 6–6 .469 .446 L3
11[lower-alpha 3] Denver Broncos West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .523 .464 L4
12[lower-alpha 3] Cincinnati Bengals North 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 .535 .448 L2
13[lower-alpha 3] Buffalo Bills East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .523 .411 W1
14 Jacksonville Jaguars South 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .549 .463 L1
15[lower-alpha 4] New York Jets East 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .506 .438 L3
16[lower-alpha 4] Oakland Raiders West 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .547 .406 L1
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 5]
  1. Kansas City finished ahead of LA Chargers based on division games.
  2. New England finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head victory.
  3. Denver finished ahead of Cincinnati and Buffalo based on strength of victory. Cincinnati finished ahead of Buffalo based on record vs. common opponents. Cincinnati's cumulative record against Baltimore, Indianapolis, the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami was 3–2, compared to Buffalo's 1–4 cumulative record against the same four teams.
  4. NY Jets finished ahead of Oakland based on strength of victory.
  5. 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.

Postseason
See also: 2018–19 NFL playoffs

Schedule
Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 5, 2019 at Houston Texans (3) W 21–7 1–0 NRG Stadium Recap
Divisional January 12, 2019 at Kansas City Chiefs (1) L 13–31 1–1 Arrowhead Stadium Recap

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (3) Houston Texans
AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (6) Indianapolis Colts at (3) Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 14 7 0021
Texans 0 0 077

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) Kansas City Chiefs
AFC Divisional Playoffs: (6) Indianapolis Colts at (1) Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 7 0613
Chiefs 14 10 0731

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

This would be Andrew Luck's last game in the NFL, as he retired before the commencement of the 2019 NFL season.

References
  1. Wells, Mike. "Luck retires, calls decision 'hardest of my life'". ESPN. ESPN. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  2. "Report: Colts to hire Pats OC Josh McDaniels as coach".
  3. "Will There Be Any Legal Fallout for Josh McDaniels, Colts?".
  4. "Josh McDaniels withdraws from Colts coaching job".
  5. "Indianapolis Colts on Twitter".
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