SAN DIEGOCHARGERS (5-5) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-4)
DATE: Sunday, November 28, 2010
SITE: Lucas Oil Stadium
KICKOFF: 8:20 p.m. (EST)/5:20 p.m. (PST)
CAPACITY: 63,000
SURFACE:FieldTurf
Returning to Lucas Oil Stadium to close the third month of regular-season play, the Indianapolis Colts, 6-4, meet the San Diego Chargers, 5-5, on Sunday, November 28. Kickoff for the contest, telecast by NBC Sports and broadcast by Westwood One, is 8:20 p.m. (EST)/5:20 p.m. (PST).
The Colts and Chargers met in the regular season and playoffs during the 2007 and 2008 seasons, and San Diego is making its first regular-season appearance in Indianapolis since 2005. The overall series stands in San Diego's favor, 16-10, and it includes victories in two of three post-season affairs. The Colts bested San Diego, 23-20, on November 23, 2008, but fell at the Chargers in the Wild Card playoffs weeks later, 23-17 in overtime. San Diego beat the Colts during the 2007 regular season (23-21, 11/11 at Qualcomm), then took a 28-24 Divisional Playoff victory in the RCA Dome on January 13, 2008. The clubs are vying for inclusion in this year's playoffs. Indianapolis reaches this week's battle after a 31-28 loss last Sunday at New England. San Diego defeated Denver at home on Monday Night Football, 35-14, for their third consecutive win.
The Colts are owners of the NFL's best regular-season record (134-52) since the start of the 1999 season, while being the only team to earn 10 playoff appearances in the last eleven seasons, including a league-best eight consecutive post-season berths. Indianapolis has won 79 of its last 99 regular-season games. The Colts own a 104-33 record (counting the playoffs) since the start of the 2003 season and are 90-28 since 2004. From November, 2003 to December, 2009, the Colts produced a regular-season record of 81-19, tying New England (2003-09) for the NFL's best 100-game regular-season mark. Indianapolis' winning ways include a 39-12 record in AFC South play, while the club has owned or shared the lead in 119 of 147 weeks of the division's existence. The Colts won five AFC South championships from 2003-07, the best divisional-title streak in club history. The Colts were wire-to-wire divisional leaders during the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 seasons. The club's nine playoff berths in the 2000-09 decade tied the NFL record set by Dallas (9) in the 1970s. Indianapolis is the only team since 2002 Realignment to earn annual double-digit victory totals and playoff berths. From 2008-09, the Colts set an NFL record with 23 consecutive regular-season victories (21, New England, 2006-08). The streak was the sixth 10 -game regular-season winning streak in franchise history (23, 2008-09; 13, 2005; 11, 1964; 11, 1975-76; 11, 1999; 10, 2005-06), the fourth since 1999. Indianapolis extended its NFL record as the only franchise to win seven or more consecutive regular-season games in six consecutive seasons (8, 2004; 13, 2005; 9, 2006; 7 and 6, 2007; 9, 2008; 14, 2009). Additionally, the Colts posted their eighth consecutive 10 -victory season, setting the 2nd-longest such streak in NFL history (16, San Francisco, 1983-98). Indianapolis earned its seventh consecutive season with 11 victories, surpassing the NFL record it had shared with Dallas (6, 1976-81). The Colts extended their league mark to seven consecutive seasons (2003-09)with 12 victories. The Colts produced 115 victories for the 2000-09 decade, surpassing the league record of 113 by San Francisco from 1990-99.
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AFC South Division Standings * * W-L Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 17 Div AFC COLTS 6-4 San Diego Dallas at Tennessee Jacksonville at Oakland Tennessee 1-2 4-3 Jacksonville 6-4 at N.Y. Giants at Tennessee Oakland at COLTS Washington at Houston 3-1 5-3 Tennessee 5-5 at Houston Jacksonville COLTS Houston at Kansas City at Colts 1-0 2-4 Houston 4-6 Tennessee at Philadelphia Baltimore at Tennessee at Denver Jacksonville 1-2 3-4 AFC Playoff Race (*Division Leader) |
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W-L Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 17 Div AFC
N.Y. Jets 8-2* Cincinnati at N. England Miami at Pittsburgh at Chicago Buffalo 3-0 6-1
New England 8-2* at Detroit N.Y. Jets at Chicago Green Bay at Buffalo Miami 2-1 7-2
Pittsburgh 7-3* at Buffalo at Baltimore Cincinnati N.Y. Jets Carolina at Cleveland 2-1 5-2
Baltimore 7-3* Tampa Bay Pittsburgh at Houston New Orleans at Cleveland Cincinnati 2-1 6-2
Kansas City 6-4* at Seattle Denver at San Diego at St. Louis Tennessee Oakland 1-2 4-4
Miami 5-5 at Oakland Cleveland at N.Y. Jets Buffalo Detroit at N. Eng. 1-2 3-4
Oakland 5-5* Miami at San Diego at Jacksonville Denver COLTS at K. City 3-0 3-3
San Diego 4-5 at COLTS Oakland Kansas City San Francisco at Cincinnati at Denver 0-2 3-2
Denver 3-6 St. Louis at Kansas City at Arizona at Oakland Houston San Diego 1-1 2-5
Cleveland 3-7 Carolina at Miami at Buffalo at Cincinnati Baltimore Pittsburgh 1-2 2-5
Cincinnati 2-8 at N.Y. Jets New Orleans at Pittsburgh Cleveland San Diego at Baltimore 1-2 1-6
Buffalo 2-8 Pittsburgh at Minnesota Cleveland at Miami N. England at N.Y. Jets 0-3 1-6
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PERSONNEL REPORT: DB-Bob Sanders (biceps), RB-Joseph Addai (neck), DB-Justin Tryon (foot), RB-Mike Hart (ankle), LB-Gary Brackett (toe) were out; WR-Austin Collie (concussion), TE-Brody Eldridge (rib), DB-Aaron Francisco (rib) DB-Kelvin Hayden (neck), LB-Clint Session (elbow), WR-Blair White (shoulder), WR-Reggie Wayne (knee) were questionable for the last game. Deactivated players for the last game were Addai, Brackett, Hart, Session, Tryon, OG-Jaimie Thomas, DL-Ricardo Mathews and Sanders.
TELEVISION/RADIO: NBC Sports telecasts with Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Andrea Kremer (field reporter). 1070-The Fan/HANK-FM, 97.1 broadcasts with Bob Lamey, Will Wolfordand Kevin Lee (field reporter). Westwood One broadcasts nationally with Dave Sims, James Lofton and Hub Arkush (field reporter).
NEXT WEEK: Indianapolis hosts Dallas on Sunday, December 5 at 4:15 p.m. (EST).
WWW.COLTS.COM: Please check the official website of the Indianapolis Colts for the latest in team information and merchandise.
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HEAD COACHES
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* JIM CALDWELL* was named head coach of the Colts on January 13, 2009, and this marks his ninth season with Indianapolis. Caldwell joined the club in 2002 as quarterbacks coach before adding the title of assistant head coach prior to the 2005 season. Caldwell was promoted to associate head coach with the club prior to the 2008 season. From 2002-09, Caldwell has been a part of Colts teams that produced 10-6, 12-4, 12-4, 14-2, 12-4, 13-3, 12-4 and 14-2 records. Indianapolis is the only team to earn 12 victories in seven consecutive seasons, setting the NFL's all-time standard. Indianapolis has had eight consecutive 10 -victory seasons, setting the second-longest streak in NFL history (16, San Francisco, 1983-98; 7, Dallas, 1975-81), and the Colts have surpassed Dallas (1976-81) as the only franchise to earn at least eleven victories in seven consecutive seasons. The Colts also have earned an NFL-best eight consecutive playoff appearances, and Indianapolis is the only team to post double-digit victory seasons and playoff berths each season since the 2002 realignment. From 2008-09, Indianapolis set the NFL record with 23 consecutive regular-season victories (21 New England, 2006-08). Indianapolis also won 115 regular-season games from 2000-09, the most by a team in a decade in NFL history. From 2004-09, Indianapolis became the only NFL team to win at least seven consecutive games in six consecutive seasons (8, 2004; 13, 2005; 9, 2006; 7 and 6, 2007; 9, 2008; 14, 2009). In 2009, Caldwell became the 5th NFL rookie head coach to reach the Super Bowl. Caldwell joined Chuck Knox (L.A. Rams, 1973), Red Miller (Denver, 1977), Mike Martz (St. Louis, 2000) and Josh McDaniels (Denver, 2009) as the only rookie head coaches in the Super Bowl era to start 6-0. He became the fourth coach ever to start 6-0 when succeeding a head coach who won 100 games (Blanton Collier, Cleveland, 1963, succeeded Paul Brown, 111 wins; Jack Pardee, Washington, 1978, succeeded George Allen, 116 wins; Josh McDaniels, Denver, 2009, succeeded Mike Shanahan, 146 wins; Caldwell, Colts, 2009, succeeded Tony Dungy, 139 wins). Caldwell joined the Colts after serving as quarterbacks coach with Tampa Bay in 2001. Caldwell has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience. He spent 1993-2000 as head coach at Wake Forest. He served as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois (1978-80), Northwestern (1981), Colorado (1982-84), Louisville (1985) and Penn State (1986-92). Caldwell has coached in six bowl games and won a national championship with Penn State in 1986. In addition to serving on Joe Paterno's title staff, Caldwell tutored under three other coaches who won collegiate crowns (Rey Dempsey, Southern Illinois; Bill McCartney, Colorado; Howard Schnellenberger, Louisville). Caldwell was a four-year starter at defensive back at Iowa and worked as a graduate assistant for Iowa in 1977. He holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa. Caldwell was born on January 16, 1955 in Beloit, Wis.
NORV TURNER became the 14th Chargers head coach on February 19, 2007. Turner led the Chargers to an 11-5 regular-season record in 2007, advancing to the AFC Championship Game. He took the Chargers to the AFC West title in 2008. Turner directed the Chargers to a 13-3 record in 2009. Turner is in his third head coaching role, having directed Washington from 1994-2000 and Oakland from 2004-05. Turner posted winning records in four of seven seasons with Washington. He was 9-23 with the Raiders. Turner served as offensive coordinator with San Francisco prior to joining San Diego. He spent 2002-03 as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator with Miami. Turner joined the Redskins after three seasons as offensive coordinator at Dallas, where he was a part of consecutive Super Bowl championships. Prior to Dallas, Turner served 1985-90 with the L.A. Rams, where he oversaw the passing game. Turner played QB at Oregon (1972-74), where he became a graduate assistant in 1975. He coached 1976-84 at Southern Cal before entering the NFL. Turner is a native of LeJeune, N.C.
* COLTS/CHARGERS SERIES NOTES*
The overall series stands 16-10 in San Diego's favor, with the last meeting being in the Wild Card Playoffs on January 3, 2009, a 23-17 overtime victory by the Chargers. San Diego tied the contest on a 26-yard field goal in the final minute of regulation, then scored on an overtime-opening possession to top Indianapolis. RB-Darren Sproles produced 328 total yards (23-105, 2 TDs rushing; 9t, 22t/5-45 receiving/4-106 KOR/3-72 PR), and his second rushing TD settled the outcome. QB-Peyton Manning was 25-42-310, 1 TD, combining with TE-Dallas Clark (7-33) and WRs-Anthony Gonzalez (6-97) and Reggie Wayne (4-129, 1 TD; 72t) to help keep the Colts in the hunt. Chargers P-Mike Scifres was 6-52.7, 6 In20. Two first-half boots pinned the Colts deep and resulted in short TD drives. His final kick to the Colts' one in the last three minutes set the stage for the tying score. The last regular-season series renewal was in Qualcomm Stadium on November 23, 2008, as Indianapolis took a 23-20 victory. In that contest, K-Adam Vinatieri booted field goals of 23, 38 and 51 yards, the final one coming at the gun as Indianapolis prevailed. The Colts survived a late 10-point Chargers rally that tied the contest with 1:30 remaining. Manning was 32-44-255, 2 TDs, while QB-Philip Rivers was 24-31-288, 2 TDs. Manning brought the club back from a 10-3 second-quarter deficit, and the Colts led most of the final half. Gonzalez (6-95, 1 TD; 13t) snared a scoring reception, as did RB-Dominic Rhodes (5-21, 1 TD; 1t). DE-Robert Mathis had two sacks and a forced fumble. The Chargers earned regular-season and post-season victories over the Colts in 2007. In a contest on January 13, 2008 featuring six lead changes, San Diego scored the clinching touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to produce a 28-24 Divisional Playoff victory at Indianapolis. The Chargers were directed by Rivers (14-19-264, 3 TDs/1 int.) for the first three quarters and by QB-Billy Volek (3-4-48 passing/3-(-1), 1 TD rushing) for the final quarter. Volek's score proved to be the decisive tally. San Diego was led on the ground by RB-Michael Turner (17-71). Manning was 33-48-402, 3 TDs/2 ints., teaming on scoring plays with Wayne (7-76, 1 TD; 9t), Gonzalez (4-79, 1 TD; 55t) and Clark (6-95, 1 TD; 25t). Indianapolis suffered turnovers at the San Diego 22-, 11- and two-yard lines, and failed to convert a possession inside the 10 in the game's final three minutes. On November 11, 2007, in Qualcomm Stadium, Indianapolis fell behind, 23-0, in the first half before nearly pulling off a dramatic victory. The Colts tallied 14 fourth-quarter points, but Vinatieri was wide right on a 29-yard field goal in the final two minutes as the Colts fell, 23-21. Sproles staked San Diego to an early lead with an 89t KOR and a 45t punt return in the first quarter. K-Nate Kaeding booted a 33-yard field goal in the period as the Chargers threatened to pull away. Manning (34-56-328, 2 TDs/6 ints.) suffered four first-half interceptions before teaming with Wayne (10-140, 1 TD) on an 8t pass and RB-Kenton Keith on a 7t pass. LB-Gary Brackett's end zone fumble recovery pulled the Colts within two points early in the fourth quarter. These clubs met in spirited December battles in the RCA Dome during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Indianapolis prevailed in overtime on December 26, 2004, 34-31, and San Diego earned a 26-17 victory on the return trip on December 18. In that contest, after rallying from a 16-point deficit, the Colts surrendered the final 10 points of the contest in falling. The Chargers controlled the first half in earning a 13-0 lead at intermission. Indianapolis tallied 17 points in the third quarter to take the lead, but Kaeding's fourth field goal, a 49-yarder with 6:41 left, put San Diego ahead, 19-17. Turner's 83t burst provided the clinching points with 2:09 left. Manning was 26-45-336, 1 TD/2 ints., while Wayne (10-91) and WR-Marvin Harrison (8-135) had big days. San Diego rushed for 206 yards, and QB-Drew Brees was 22-33-255, 1 TD/2 ints. In December, 2004, rallying from two 15-point deficits to tie the contest in the final minute of regulation, Indianapolis earned a 34-31 overtime win. In only the fourth contest in NFL history pitting teams with seven or more consecutive wins (Chargers 8, Colts 7), Manning was 27-44-383, 2 TDs/1 int. Manning teamed with RB-James Mungro (3t) and WR-Brandon Stokley (21t) on scoring tosses, the final one coming with :56 remaining to cut the deficit to 31-29. RB-Edgerrin James then tallied on a two-point rush. K-Mike Vanderjagt's 30-yard field goal 2:47 into overtime decided the contest. Manning's scoring pass to Stokley was his 49th TD toss of the season, breaking the prior NFL mark (since broken) of QB-Dan Marino (1984). Prior to the 2004 match, the series had been dormant since September 26, 1999, when the Colts earned a 27-19 win at Qualcomm Stadium. The Colts and Chargers have had an unusually active series schedule since the club's 1984 move to Indianapolis. The regular season series was renewed during the 1984, 1986, 1987 (twice), 1988, 1989, 1992 (twice), 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 seasons. The teams have met one other time in the playoffs, as the Colts earned a 35-20 Wild Card win at San Diego on December 31, 1995.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
2010 RANKINGS (denotes ranking is tied)
RANKINGS OFFENSE RANKING DEFENSE RANKING
Total Rush Pass CONF. NFL Total Rush Pass CONF. NFL
Colts 388.1 88.5 299.6 2-15- 2 4-27- 2 344.4 136.7 207.7 8-14- 4 20-30- 8
Chargers 418.2 111.7 306.5 1-12- 1 1-17- 1 270.7 86.8 183.9 1- 2- 1 1- 3- 1
BEST NFL RECORDS DURING 1999-2010 REGULAR SEASONS
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NFL'S BEST REGULAR SEASON RECORDS 1999-2010 * * Record Team Head Coach |
134-52* COLTS * Tony Dungy/Jim Caldwell
128-58 New England Pete Carroll/Bill Belichick
116-69-1 Pittsburgh Bill Cowher/Mike Tomlin
115-70-1 Philadelphia Andy Reid
110-76 Green Bay R. Rhodes/M. Sherman/M. McCarthy
109-77 Tennessee Jeff Fisher
107-79 Baltimore Brian Billick/John Harbaugh
102-83 Denver Mike Shanahan/Josh McDaniels
101-85 NY Giants Jim Fassel/Tom Coughlin
97-88 San Diego M. Riley/M. Schottenheimer/N. Turner
97-89 Minnesota Dennis Green/Mike Tice/Brad Childress
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COLTS ARE NFL'S WINNINGEST TEAM FROM 1999-2010: The Colts stand as the NFL's winningest team since the start of the 1999 season. The Colts own a 134-52 record during that span.
