35th season in franchise history
1987 Indianapolis Colts season Owner Robert Irsay General manager Jim Irsay Head coach Ron Meyer Home field Hoosier Dome Local radio WIBC–AM 1070 Results Record 9–6 Division place 1st AFC East Playoff finish Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Browns) 21–38 Pro Bowlers K Dean Biasucci LB Duane Bickett RB Eric Dickerson C Ray Donaldson OT Chris Hinton OG Ron Solt AP All-Pros K Dean Biasucci LB Duane Bickett RB Eric Dickerson C Ray Donaldson OT Chris Hinton OG Ron Solt
Dickerson rushing the ball during an away game against the Cleveland Browns in 1987. 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 .
Offseason NFL draft NFL replacement players After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:
1987 Indianapolis Colts replacement roster Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Roster 1987 Indianapolis Colts final roster Quarterbacks Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen Defensive linemen
Linebackers Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Rookies in italics
Pre season Schedule Preseason Game summaries Week P1 (Saturday, August 15, 1987): at Detroit Lions Preseason Week 1: Indianapolis Colts at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Colts 3 10 2 7 22 Lions 0 13 6 0 19
at Pontiac Silverdome • Pontiac, Michigan
Date : August 15, 1987Game time : 7:00 p.m. EST Game attendance : 45,753TV announcers (WTHR ) : Don Hein (play-by-play) and Darrel Burnett (color commentator)
Team Category Player Statistics IND Passing Rushing Receiving DET Passing Rushing Receiving
Colts Game Statistics Lions First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession
Week P2 (Saturday, August 22, 1987): at Minnesota Vikings Preseason Week 2: Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Colts 3 10 0 0 13 Vikings 3 17 7 10 37
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome • Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : August 22, 1987Game time : 7:00 p.m. EST Game attendance : 49,304TV announcers (WTHR ) : Don Hein (play-by-play) and Darrel Burnett (color commentator)
Team Category Player Statistics IND Passing Rushing Receiving MIN Passing Rushing Receiving
Colts Game Statistics Vikings First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession
Week P3 (Saturday, August 29, 1987): vs. Houston Oilers Preseason Week 3: Houston Oilers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Oilers 6 0 0 0 6 Colts 0 3 14 0 17
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Date : August 29, 1987Game time : 7:30 p.m. EST Game attendance : 51,975TV announcers (WTHR ) : Don Hein (play-by-play) and Darrel Burnett (color commentator)
Team Category Player Statistics HOU Passing Rushing Receiving IND Passing Rushing Receiving
Oilers Game Statistics Colts First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession
Week P4 (Saturday, September 5, 1987): vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preseason Week 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Buccaneers 6 10 0 0 16 Colts 3 20 0 0 23
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Date : September 5, 1987Game time : 7:30 p.m. EST Game attendance : 50,111Referee : Ben Dreith TV announcers (WTHR ) : Don Hein (play-by-play) and Darrel Burnett (color commentator)
Team Category Player Statistics TB Passing Rushing Receiving IND Passing Rushing Receiving
Buccaneers Game Statistics Colts First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession
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.[3]
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 September 13 Cincinnati Bengals L 21–23 0–1 Hoosier Dome 59,387 Recap 2 September 20, 1987 Miami Dolphins L 10–23 0–2 Hoosier Dome 57,524 Recap 3 September 27 at St. Louis Cardinals Canceled [4] 0–2 Busch Stadium 4 October 4 at Buffalo Bills W 47–6 1–2 Rich Stadium 9,860 Recap 5 October 11 New York Jets W 6–0 2–2 Hoosier Dome 34,927 Recap 6 October 18 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 7–21 2–3 Three Rivers Stadium 34,627 Recap 7 October 25 New England Patriots W 30–16 3–3 Hoosier Dome 48,850 Recap 8 November 1 at New York Jets W 19–14 4–3 Giants Stadium 60,863 Recap 9 November 8 San Diego Chargers L 13–16 4–4 Hoosier Dome 60,459 Recap 10 November 15 at Miami Dolphins W 40–21 5–4 Joe Robbie Stadium 65,433 Recap 11 November 22 at New England Patriots L 0–24 5–5 Sullivan Stadium 56,906 Recap 12 November 29 Houston Oilers W 51–27 6–5 Hoosier Dome 54,999 Recap 13 December 6 at Cleveland Browns W 9–7 7–5 Cleveland Stadium 70,661 Recap 14 December 13 Buffalo Bills L 3–27 7–6 Hoosier Dome 60,253 Recap 15 December 20 at San Diego Chargers W 20–7 8–6 Jack Murphy Stadium 46,211 Recap 16 December 27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 24–6 9–6 Hoosier Dome 60,468 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Regular Season Game summaries Week 1 (Sunday, September 13, 1987): vs. Cincinnati Bengals [5]
Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Bengals (1–0) 13 0 0 10 23 Colts (0–1) 7 0 7 7 21
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Team Category Player Statistics CIN Passing Boomer Esiason 17/26, 236 YDS, 2 TDs Rushing James Brooks 19 CAR, 86 YDS 1 TD Receiving Rodney Holman 3 REC, 79 YDS, 1 TD IND Passing Jack Trudeau 13/23, 206 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs Rushing Albert Bentley 25 CAR, 77 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Bill Brooks 6 REC, 146 YDS, 1 TD
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP CIN IND 1 6:21 13 79 5:43 Bengals Brooks 18-yard touchdown reception from Esiason , Breech kick good 7 0 1 3:59 2 61 0:48 Bengals Holman 61-yard touchdown reception from Esiason , Breech kick no good 13 0 1 1:25 5 68 2:34 Colts Brooks 52-yard touchdown reception from Trudeau , Biasucci kick good 13 7 3 2:29 13 80 7:58 Colts Bentley 2-yard touchdown run, Biasucci kick good 13 14 4 10:36 16 78 6:53 Bengals 20-yard field goal by Breech 16 14 4 7:50 3 25 1:19 Bengals Brooks 1-yard touchdown run, Breech kick good 23 14 4 2:33 9 70 5:17 Colts Sherwin 1-yard touchdown reception from Trudeau , Biasucci kick good 23 21 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 23 21
Point spread : Colts +5½ Over/Under: 44.0 (push) Time of Game: 2 hours, 48 minutes Bengals Game Statistics Colts 25 First downs 15 42–187 Rushes–yards 27–85 236 Passing yards 206 17–26–0 Passes 13–23–3 2–20 Sacked–yards 0–0 216 Net passing yards 206 403 Total yards 291 134 Return yards 129 3–52.0 Punts 4–52.3 4–1 Fumbles–lost 2–0 5–50 Penalties–yards 2–25 27:16 Time of possession 32:44
Week 2 (Sunday, September 20, 1987): vs. Miami Dolphins [7]
Point spread : Colts +5 Over/Under: 46.5 (under) Time of Game: 3 hours, 0 minutes Dolphins Game Statistics Colts 20 First downs 20 34–130 Rushes–yards 23–84 254 Passing yards 282 23–32–0 Passes 27–43–1 1–9 Sacked–yards 2–24 245 Net passing yards 258 375 Total yards 342 76 Return yards 113 4–42.8 Punts 4–37.5 2–2 Fumbles–lost 4–3 1–5 Penalties–yards 4–30 33:16 Time of possession 26:44
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 [9]
Week 4: Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Colts (1–2) 7 21 19 0 47 Bills (1–2) 0 0 0 6 6
at Rich Stadium • Orchard Park, New York
Date : October 4, 1987Game time : 12 Noon EST Game weather : 43 °F (6 °C); relative humidity 62%; wind 13 miles per hour (21 km/h; 11 kn)Game attendance : 9,860Referee : Dick Hantak TV announcers (NBC ) : Sam Nover (play-by-play) and Dave Casper (color commentator)[10]
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP IND BUF 1 2:48 3 56 0:49 Colts Murray 37-yard touchdown reception from Hogeboom , Jordan kick good 7 0 2 7:04 7 68 3:05 Colts Murray 11-yard touchdown reception from Hogeboom , Jordan kick good 14 0 2 1:38 8 71 2:09 Colts Jones 37-yard touchdown reception from Hogeboom , Jordan kick good 21 0 2 0:18 2 40 0:16 Colts Jones 18-yard touchdown reception from Hogeboom , Jordan kick good 28 0 3 14:10 2 21 0:36 Colts Jones 18-yard touchdown reception from Hogeboom , Jordan kick good 35 0 3 12:30 — — — Colts Clark tackled in the end zone by Leiding for a safety 37 0 3 7:11 10 50 5:07 Colts 36-yard field goal by Jordan 40 0 3 4:50 2 44 0:37 Colts Brown 18-yard touchdown run, Jordan kick good 47 0 4 8:52 3 12 0:52 Bills Brown 8-yard touchdown reception from Totten , Schlopy kick no good 47 6 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 47 6
Colts Game Statistics Bills 28 First downs 14 41–166 Rushes–yards 28–81 306 Passing yards 148 20–30–0 Passes 12–35–3 1–9 Sacked–yards 6–66 297 Net passing yards 82 463 Total yards 163 87 Return yards 77 2–30.5 Punts 6–32.2 3–2 Fumbles–lost 7–4 5–30 Penalties–yards 10–70 31:44 Time of possession 28:16
This game was played with replacement players.
Week 5 (Sunday, October 11, 1987): vs. New York Jets [11]
Week 5: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Jets (2–2) 0 0 0 0 0 Colts (2–2) 0 3 3 0 6
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Date : October 11, 1987Game time : 12 Noon EST Game weather : indoorsGame attendance : 34,927Referee : Pat HaggertyTV announcers (NBC ) : Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Sam Rutigliano (color commentator)[12]
Jets Game Statistics Colts 16 First downs 14 28–66 Rushes–yards 32–174 163 Passing yards 115 17–35–3 Passes 15–31–1 4–18 Sacked–yards 3–19 145 Net passing yards 96 211 Total yards 270 60 Return yards 73 8–39.4 Punts 7–34.6 5–2 Fumbles–lost 2–1 8–65 Penalties–yards 7–70 30:00 Time of possession 30:00
This game was played with replacement players.
[13]
Week 6: Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Colts (2–3) 0 7 0 0 7 Steelers (3–2) 7 0 0 14 21
at Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date : October 18, 1987Game time : 12 Noon EST Game weather : 53 °F (12 °C); relative humidity 62%; wind 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h; 5.2 kn) (Scattered Clouds)Game attendance : 34,627Referee : Tom DooleyTV announcers (NBC ) : Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Sam Rutigliano (color commentator)[14]
Team Category Player Statistics IND Passing Blair Kiel 17/30, 195 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs Rushing Gordon Brown 9 CAR, 32 YDS Receiving Mark Bellini 5 REC, 69 YDS PIT Passing Steve Bono 11/23, 138 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Earnest Jackson 24 CAR, 134 YDS Receiving John Stallworth 5 REC, 54 YDS, 1 TD
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP IND PIT 1 7:06 2 11 0:42 Steelers Stallworth 3-yard touchdown reception from Bono , Trout kick good 0 7 2 1:54 6 80 1:06 Colts Murray 20-yard touchdown reception from Kiel , Jordan kick good 7 7 4 10:01 9 59 5:37 Steelers Hoge 20-yard touchdown reception from Bono , Trout kick good 7 14 4 3:00 8 38 4:55 Steelers Sanders 20-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 7 21 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 7 21
Colts Game Statistics Steelers 15 First downs 23 22–75 Rushes–yards 47–252 195 Passing yards 138 17–30–3 Passes 11–23–1 0–0 Sacked–yards 2–12 195 Net passing yards 126 270 Total yards 378 68 Return yards 62 5–39.6 Punts 6–41.8 2–2 Fumbles–lost 4–0 8–69 Penalties–yards 6–57 23:21 Time of possession 36:39
This game was played with replacement players.
[15]
Week 7: New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Patriots (3–3) 3 3 7 3 16 Colts (3–3) 0 10 13 7 30
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Date : October 25, 1987Game time : 1:01 p.m. EST Game weather : indoorsGame attendance : 48,850Referee : Bob McElwee TV announcers (NBC ) : Kevin Slaten (play-by-play) and Reggie Rucker (color commentator)[16]
Team Category Player Statistics NE Passing Tony Eason 22/42, 246 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Mosi Tatupu 12 CAR, 39 YDS Receiving Stanley Morgan 7 REC, 102 YDS, 1 TD IND Passing Jack Trudeau 17/28, 239 YDS, 1 TD Rushing Albert Bentley 16 CAR, 65 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Albert Bentley 4 REC, 53 YDS
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NE IND 1 5:59 13 52 5:38 Patriots 30-yard field goal by Franklin 3 0 2 7:42 15 72 7:11 Patriots 31-yard field goal by Franklin 6 0 2 1:54 7 71 5:48 Colts Bouza 25-yard touchdown reception from Trudeau , Biasucci kick good 6 7 2 0:28 6 33 0:46 Colts 48-yard field goal by Biasucci 6 10 3 11:11 9 55 3:49 Colts 38-yard field goal by Biasucci 6 13 3 6:56 6 36 2:36 Colts 24-yard field goal by Biasucci 6 16 3 5:14 — — — Colts Fumble recovery returned 28 yards for touchdown by Thompson , Biasucci kick good 6 23 3 1:42 9 76 3:32 Patriots Morgan 17-yard touchdown reception from Eason , Franklin kick good 13 23 4 8:52 9 34 4:37 Patriots 49-yard field goal by Franklin 16 23 4 3:25 4 22 2:14 Colts Bentley 12-yard touchdown run, Biasucci kick good 16 30 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 16 30
Point spread : Colts +6½ Over/Under: 44.0 (over) Time of Game: 3 hours, 8 minutes Patriots Game Statistics Colts 18 First downs 17 27–79 Rushes–yards 25–87 246 Passing yards 239 22–43–1 Passes 17–28–0 2–21 Sacked–yards 3–26 225 Net passing yards 213 304 Total yards 300 162 Return yards 129 4–45.0 Punts 5–44.6 2–2 Fumbles–lost 3–1 5–40 Penalties–yards 9–65 32:54 Time of possession 27:06
Week 8 (Sunday, November 1, 1987): at New York Jets [17]
Week 8: Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Colts (4–3) 3 7 3 6 19 Jets (3–4) 0 7 0 7 14
at The Meadowlands • East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date : November 1, 1987Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 53 °F (12 °C); relative humidity 62%; wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)Game attendance : 60,863Referee : Ben Dreith TV announcers (NBC ) : Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Joe Namath (color commentator)[18]
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP IND NYJ 1 7:56 12 59 7:04 Colts 36-yard field goal by Biasucci 3 0 2 10:23 5 89 2:53 Colts Bouza 44-yard touchdown reception from Trudeau , Biasucci kick good 10 0 2 2:14 15 80 8:01 Jets Hector 12-yard touchdown run, Leahy kick good 10 7 3 7:58 4 4 2:43 Colts 44-yard field goal by Biasucci 13 7 4 14:56 11 30 7:00 Colts 38-yard field goal by Biasucci 16 7 4 9:21 9 28 4:45 Colts 33-yard field goal by Biasucci 19 7 4 6:30 7 69 2:51 Jets Hector 20-yard touchdown run, Leahy kick good 19 14 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 19 14
Point spread : Colts +7 Over/Under: 44.0 (under) Time of Game: 2 hours, 50 minutes Colts Game Statistics Jets 21 First downs 15 45–186 Rushes–yards 20–101 192 Passing yards 190 14–23–0 Passes 16–30–1 1–1 Sacked–yards 7–61 191 Net passing yards 129 377 Total yards 230 73 Return yards 142 3–40.0 Punts 5–35.8 1–0 Fumbles–lost 2–2 4–35 Penalties–yards 6–34 34:47 Time of possession 25:13
Week 9 (Sunday, November 8, 1987): vs. San Diego Chargers [19]
Week 9: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Chargers (7–1) 0 0 6 10 16 Colts (4–4) 3 10 0 0 13
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP SD IND 1 6:26 16 59 8:34 Colts 37-yard field goal by Biasucci 0 3 2 10:39 4 5 1:31 Colts 27-yard field goal by Biasucci 0 6 2 0:55 13 80 6:28 Colts Bentley 8-yard touchdown run, Biasucci kick good 0 13 3 11:04 10 55 3:56 Chargers 42-yard field goal by Abbott 3 13 3 3:12 6 21 2:43 Chargers 37-yard field goal by Abbott 6 13 4 12:47 7 47 2:55 Chargers James 5-yard touchdown reception from Fouts , Abbott kick good 13 13 4 0:12 11 59 3:54 Chargers 39-yard field goal by Abbott 16 13 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 16 13
Point spread : Colts Pick'em Over/Under: 45.0 (under) Time of Game: 2 hours, 57 minutes Chargers Game Statistics Colts 15 First downs 18 26–82 Rushes–yards 45–191 214 Passing yards 127 16–30–3 Passes 12–18–0 0–0 Sacked–yards 3–15 214 Net passing yards 112 296 Total yards 303 82 Return yards 150 4–43.0 Punts 3–34.0 3–1 Fumbles–lost 3–3 10–80 Penalties–yards 9–65 22:11 Time of possession 37:49
Week 10 (Sunday, November 15, 1987): at Miami Dolphins [21]
Week 10: Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Colts (5–4) 7 13 3 17 40 Dolphins (5–4) 14 7 0 0 21
at Joe Robbie Stadium • Miami Gardens, Florida
Date : November 15, 1987Game time : 1:02 p.m. EST Game weather : 77 °F (25 °C); relative humidity 76%; wind 14 miles per hour (23 km/h; 12 kn) (Scattered Clouds)Game attendance : 65,433Referee : Jim TunneyTV announcers (NBC ) : Dick Enberg (play-by-play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)[22]
Team Category Player Statistics IND Passing Gary Hogeboom 22/37, 218 YDS, 1 TD Rushing Eric Dickerson 30 CAR, 154 YDS, 1 TD Receiving Matt Bouza 5 REC, 61 YDS MIA Passing Dan Marino 14/34, 194 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Troy Stradford 8 CAR, 28 YDS Receiving Tony Nathan 4 REC, 31 YDS
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP IND MIA 1 12:07 4 57 1:03 Dolphins Hampton 6-yard touchdown run, Reveiz kick good 0 7 1 5:08 9 62 4:32 Dolphins Johnson 4-yard touchdown reception from Marino , Reveiz kick good 0 14 1 0:56 10 77 4:12 Colts Dickerson 4-yard touchdown run, Biasucci kick good 7 14 2 14:11 2 27 0:49 Colts Brooks 7-yard touchdown reception from Hogeboom , Biasucci kick good 14 14 2 5:19 6 20 1:47 Colts 22-yard field goal by Biasucci 17 14 2 0:48 10 81 3:31 Dolphins Banks 10-yard touchdown reception from Marino , Reveiz kick good 17 21 2 0:00 5 39 0:48 Colts 32-yard field goal by Biasucci 20 21 3 1:12 19 90 8:36 Colts 25-yard field goal by Biasucci 23 21 4 9:22 13 60 5:38 Colts 23-yard field goal by Biasucci 26 21 4 3:36 8 55 3:41 Colts Bentley 17-yard touchdown run, Biasucci kick good 33 21 4 1:03 6 26 1:58 Colts Bentley 2-yard touchdown run, Biasucci kick good 40 21 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 40 21
Point spread : Colts +7 Over/Under: 46.0 (over) Time of Game: 3 hours, 23 minutes Colts Game Statistics Dolphins 32 First downs 22 44–239 Rushes–yards 23–77 218 Passing yards 209 22–37–0 Passes 16–38–2 0–0 Sacked–yards 0–0 218 Net passing yards 209 457 Total yards 286 187 Return yards 195 3–35.7 Punts 2–49.0 2–0 Fumbles–lost 3–3 13–126 Penalties–yards 8–63 35:23 Time of possession 24:37
[23]
Week 11: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Colts (5–5) 0 0 0 0 0 Patriots (5–5) 0 10 14 0 24
at Sullivan Stadium • Foxborough, Massachusetts
Date : November 22, 1987Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 24 °F (−4 °C); relative humidity 44%; wind 33 miles per hour (53 km/h; 29 kn); wind chill 9 °F (−13 °C) (Sunny)Game attendance : 56,906Referee : Gordon McCarter TV announcers (NBC ) : Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)[24]
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP IND NE 2 14:56 9 82 3:53 Patriots Fryar 8-yard touchdown reception from Ramsey , Franklin kick good 0 7 2 1:08 5 24 0:40 Patriots 34-yard field goal by Franklin 0 10 3 9:16 — — — Patriots Scott returned blocked punt 3 yards for a touchdown, Franklin kick good 0 17 3 2:32 — — — Patriots Interception returned 45 yards for touchdown by Lippett , Franklin kick good 0 24 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 0 24
Point spread : Colts +1 Over/Under: 39.0 (under) Time of Game: 3 hours, 5 minutes Colts Game Statistics Patriots 18 First downs 15 31–126 Rushes–yards 38–139 218 Passing yards 183 17–38–4 Passes 12–26–0 3–20 Sacked–yards 3–9 198 Net passing yards 174 324 Total yards 313 66 Return yards 93 5–34.8 Punts 8–33.6 1–1 Fumbles–lost 0–0 3–30 Penalties–yards 2–10 27:24 Time of possession 32:36
Week 12 (Sunday, November 29, 1987): vs. Houston Oilers [25]
Week 12: Houston Oilers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Oilers (6–5) 0 10 7 10 27 Colts (6–5) 7 21 3 20 51
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Date : November 29, 1987Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather : indoorsGame attendance : 54,009Referee : Bob FredericTV announcers (NBC ) : Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Michael Jackson (color commentator)[26]
Team Category Player Statistics HOU Passing Warren Moon 24/44, 327 YDS, 3 TDs, 2 INTs Rushing Mike Rozier 26 CAR, 122 YDS Receiving Drew Hill 7 REC, 134 YDS, 2 TDs IND Passing Gary Hogeboom 8/15, 149 YDS, 1 TD Rushing Eric Dickerson 27 CAR, 136 YDS, 2 TDs Receiving Matt Bouza 3 REC, 29 YDS, 1 TD
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP HOU IND 1 11:07 9 82 3:53 Colts Dickerson 19-yard touchdown run, Biasucci kick good 0 7 2 14:54 10 41 4:27 Oilers 28-yard field goal by Zendejas 3 7 2 13:21 3 76 1:33 Colts Bentley 72-yard touchdown reception from Hogeboom , Biasucci kick good 3 14 2 12:19 2 27 0:51 Colts Dickerson 13-yard touchdown run, Biasucci kick good 3 21 2 5:41 8 85 4:38 Oilers Hill 7-yard touchdown reception from Moon , Zendejas kick good 10 21 2 0:10 5 68 0:34 Colts Bentley 22-yard touchdown reception from Hogeboom , Biasucci kick good 10 28 3 9:39 8 30 4:18 Colts 36-yard field goal by Biasucci 10 31 3 2:27 15 80 7:12 Oilers Williams 7-yard touchdown reception from Moon , Zendejas kick good 17 31 4 13:22 4 -3 1:55 Oilers 44-yard field goal by Zendejas 20 31 4 5:50 4 38 2:14 Colts Bouza 4-yard touchdown reception from Trudeau , Biasucci kick good 20 41 4 4:48 4 83 1:46 Oilers Hill 40-yard touchdown reception from Moon , Zendejas kick good 27 41 4 9:05 4 3 1:52 Colts 45-yard field goal by Biasucci 20 34 4 1:56 7 17 2:52 Colts 49-yard field goal by Biasucci 27 44 4 0:06 3 11 1:27 Colts Wonsley 2-yard touchdown run, Biasucci kick good 27 51 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 27 51
Point spread : Colts –3½ Over/Under: 42.0 (over) Time of Game: 3 hours, 30 minutes Oilers Game Statistics Colts 26 First downs 18 32–136 Rushes–yards 38–211 327 Passing yards 159 24–44–2 Passes 10–19–0 1–9 Sacked–yards 1–11 318 Net passing yards 148 454 Total yards 359 154 Return yards 113 1–36.0 Punts 5–33.8 3–3 Fumbles–lost 1–1 4–65 Penalties–yards 3–40 31:12 Time of possession 28:48
Week 13 (Sunday, December 6, 1987): at Cleveland Browns [27]
Week 13: Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Colts (7–5) 0 9 0 0 9 Browns (7–5) 0 0 7 0 7
at Cleveland Stadium • Cleveland, Ohio
Date : December 6, 1987Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 32 °F (0 °C); relative humidity 74%; wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn); wind chill 26 °F (−3 °C)Game attendance : 70,661Referee : Dick Jorgensen TV announcers (NBC ) : Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Jimmy Cefalo (color commentator)[28]
Point spread : Colts +8 Over/Under: 42.0 (under) Time of Game: 2 hours, 56 minutes Colts Game Statistics Browns 18 First downs 15 30–114 Rushes–yards 26–87 192 Passing yards 178 20–34–0 Passes 16–35–0 1–9 Sacked–yards 3–18 183 Net passing yards 160 297 Total yards 247 48 Return yards 84 7–38.7 Punts 8–32.5 1–1 Fumbles–lost 2–1 3–20 Penalties–yards 4–20 30:18 Time of possession 29:42
Week 14 (Sunday, December 13, 1987): vs. Buffalo Bills [29]
Week 14: Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Bills (7–6) 7 6 0 14 27 Colts (7–6) 0 3 0 0 3
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Date : December 13, 1987Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather : indoorsGame attendance : 60,253Referee : Pat HaggertyTV announcers (NBC ) : Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Dave Lapham (color commentator)[30]
Team Category Player Statistics BUF Passing Jim Kelly 18/34, 167 YDS, 2 TDs Rushing Ronnie Harmon 18 CAR, 85 YDS Receiving Chris Burkett 4 REC, 62 YDS IND Passing Jack Trudeau 6/15, 78 YDS, 2 INTs Rushing Eric Dickerson 11 CAR, 19 YDS Receiving Bill Brooks 5 REC, 55 YDS
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP BUF IND 1 7:49 13 75 7:11 Bills Harmon 12-yard touchdown reception from Kelly, Norwood kick good 7 0 2 13:43 6 25 1:48 Bills 39-yard field goal by Norwood 7 3 2 8:07 4 9 1:43 Colts 30-yard field goal by Biasucci 10 3 2 1:57 13 69 6:10 Bills 25-yard field goal by Norwood 13 3 4 9:38 11 56 5:08 Bills Johnson 8-yard touchdown reception from Kelly, Norwood kick good 20 3 4 1:11 — — — Bills Fumble recovery returned 0 yards for touchdown by Smith, Norwood kick good 27 3 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 27 3
Point spread : Colts –3½ Over/Under: 44.5 (under) Time of Game: 3 hours, 12 minutes Bills Game Statistics Colts 25 First downs 9 49–219 Rushes–yards 17–33 167 Passing yards 146 18–35–0 Passes 14–27–4 0–0 Sacked–yards 5–49 167 Net passing yards 97 385 Total yards 130 114 Return yards 112 6–37.5 Punts 8–40.9 4–4 Fumbles–lost 5–2 5–45 Penalties–yards 4–25 39:08 Time of possession 20:52
Week 15 (Sunday, December 20, 1987): at San Diego Chargers [31]
Week 15: Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Colts (8–6) 7 6 0 7 20 Chargers (8–6) 7 0 0 0 7
at Jack Murphy Stadium • San Diego, California
Date : December 20, 1987Game time : 4:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 53 °F (12 °C); relative humidity 80%; wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)Game attendance : 46,211Referee : Jerry Markbreit TV announcers (NBC ) : Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Paul Maguire (color commentator)[32]
Team Category Player Statistics IND Passing Jack Trudeau 20/39, 201 YDS, 1 TD Rushing Eric Dickerson 23 CAR, 115 YDS Receiving Matt Bouza 5 REC, 35 YDS SD Passing Dan Fouts 22/37, 257 YDS, 3 INTs Rushing Curtis Adams 7 CAR, 26 YDS Receiving Gary Anderson 7 REC, 68 YDS
Point spread : Colts +3½ Over/Under: 42.0 (under) Time of Game: 3 hours, 8 minutes Colts Game Statistics Chargers 19 First downs 17 32–146 Rushes–yards 22–59 201 Passing yards 257 20–39–0 Passes 22–37–3 1–7 Sacked–yards 5–43 194 Net passing yards 214 340 Total yards 273 70 Return yards 79 9–41.9 Punts 7–39.1 2–0 Fumbles–lost 1–0 6–50 Penalties–yards 6–40 30:24 Time of possession 29:36
Week 16 (Sunday, December 27, 1987): vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [33]
Week 16: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Buccaneers (4–11) 3 0 0 3 6 Colts (9–6) 7 3 7 7 24
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Team Category Player Statistics TB Passing Rushing Receiving IND Passing Rushing Receiving
Buccaneers Game Statistics Colts First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession
Standings Stats Passing
Passing Player Pos G GS QBrec Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD TD% Int Int% Y/A AY/A Y/C Y/G Lng Rate Sk Yds NY/A ANY/A Sk% 4QC GWD Trudeau QB 10 8 5–3–0 128 229 55.9 1587 6 2.6 6 2.6 55 6.9 6.3 12.4 158.7 75.4 13 100 5.4 6.14 5.52 Hogeboom QB 6 6 4–2–0 99 168 58.9 1145 9 5.4 5 3.0 72 6.8 6.5 11.6 190.8 85.0 8 63 4.5 6.15 5.89 Kiel QB 4 1 0–1–0 17 33 51.5 195 1 3.0 3 9.1 21 5.9 2.4 11.5 48.8 41.9 0 0 0.0 5.91 2.42 Salisbury QB 2 0 8 12 66.7 68 0 0.0 2 16.7 11 5.7 -1.8 8.5 34.0 41.7 2 18 14.3 3.57 2.86 Nugent QB 1 0 3 5 60.0 47 0 0.0 0 0.0 21 9.4 9.4 15.7 47.0 91.2 1 9 16.7 6.33 6.33 Team Total 15 9–6–0 245 447 57.0 3042 16 3.6 16 3.6 72 6.8 5.9 11.9 217.3 75.0 24 190 5.1 6.06 5.21 Opp Total 15 250 501 49.9 3073 19 3.8 20 4.0 6.1 5.10 12.3 204.9 65.2 39 313 7.2 5.10 4.10
Rushing
Rushing Player Pos G GS Att Yds TD Lng Y/A Y/G A/G Dickerson RB 9 8 223 1011 5 53 4.5 112.3 24.8 Bentley RB 12 4 142 631 7 17 4.4 52.6 11.8 Banks RB 3 1 50 245 0 35 4.9 81.7 16.7 Brown RB 3 0 19 85 1 18 4.5 28.3 6.3 Wonsley RB 11 0 18 71 1 12 3.9 6.5 1.6 McLemore RB 2 2 17 58 0 9 3.4 29.0 8.5 Kiel QB 4 1 4 30 0 16 7.5 7.5 1.0 Trudeau QB 10 8 15 7 0 9 0.5 0.7 1.5 Carver RB 1 0 2 3 0 3 1.5 3.0 2.0 Hogeboom QB 6 6 3 3 0 2 1.0 0.5 0.5 Nugent QB 1 0 2 1 0 3 0.5 1.0 2.0 Brooks WR 12 12 2 -2 0 1 -1.0 -0.2 0.2 Team Total 15 487 2143 14 53 4.3 153.1 35.5 Opp Total 15 463 1790 6 3.9 119.3 30.9
Receiving
Receiving Player Pos G GS Rec Yds Y/R TD Lng R/G Y/G Ctch% Team Total 15 255 3042 11.9 16 72 18.2 217.3 Opp Total 15 250 2760 11.0 19 16.7 184.0
Kicking
Kicking Games 0–19 20–29 30–39 40–49 50+ Scoring Player Pos G GS FGA FGM FGA FGM FGA FGM FGA FGM FGA FGM FGA FGM Lng FG% XPA XPM XP% Team Total 15 7 6 14 14 9 6 2 1 32 27 84.4% 31 31 100.0% Opp Total 15 26 15 57.7% 28 25 89.3%
Punting
Punting Player Pos G GS Pnt Yds Lng Blck Y/P Team Total 15 75 2941 63 3 39.2 Opp Total 15 82 3050 37.2
Kick Return
Kick Return Player Pos G GS Rt Yds TD Lng Y/Rt Team Total Opp Total
Punt Return
Sacks
Interceptions
Fumbles
Tackles
Scoring Summary
Team
Quarter-by-quarter
Quarter-by-quarter Team 1 2 3 4 OT T Colts 48 120 61 71 0 300 Opponents 61 52 48 77 0 238
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.
Playoff Game summaries AFC Wild Card Playoffs: First-round bye AFC Divisional Playoffs (Saturday, January 9, 1988): at (A2) Cleveland Browns [35]
AFC Divisional Playoffs: Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Colts (9–8) 7 7 0 7 21 Browns (11–5) 7 7 7 17 38
at Cleveland Stadium • Cleveland, Ohio
Team Category Player Statistics IND Passing Rushing Receiving CLE Passing Rushing Receiving
Colts Game Statistics Browns First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession
References ^ "1987 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. ^ "1987 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book , Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p.286 ^ The 24-day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15, causing week 3 to be canceled. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – September 13, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts – September 20, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – October 4, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – October 11, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 18, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts – October 25, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets – November 1, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts – November 8, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins – November 15, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – November 22, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Houston Oilers at Indianapolis Colts – November 29, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns – December 6, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts – December 13, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers – December 20, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts – December 27, 1987 ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07. ^ Pro Football Reference ; AFC Divisional Playoffs – Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns – January 9, 1988 See also
Indianapolis Colts
Founded in 1953 Played in Baltimore (1953–1983) Based and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (16) Conference championships (7) League championships (5) Retired numbers Media Current league affiliations Category
Indianapolis Colts seasons
Played in Baltimore (1953–1983)
Bold indicates NFL Championship (1920–65) or
Super Bowl (1966–present) victory
Italics indicates NFL Championship (1920–65) or
Super Bowl (1966–present) appearance