AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
DATE: Saturday, January 16, 2010
SITE: Lucas Oil Stadium
KICKOFF: 8:15 p.m. (EST)
CAPACITY: 63,000
SURFACE: FieldTurf
Appearing in the playoffs for the 10th time in eleven seasons, and for an NFL-best eighth consecutive time, the Indianapolis Colts, 14-2, host the Baltimore Ravens, 10-7, on Saturday, January 16, 2010. Kickoff for the AFC Divisional Playoff contest, telecast by CBS Sports, in Lucas Oil Stadium is 8:15 p.m. (EST). Westwood One provides national radio coverage of the contest.
The Colts and Ravens will be meeting for the second time in playoff action, and for the second time since November 22. Indianapolis earned a 17-15 win in Baltimore in a tightly-contested affair. The Colts produced a 15-6 victory at M&T Bank Stadium over the Ravens on January 13, 2007 in the Divisional Playoffs. The Colts lead the league series, 7-2, and have captured the last seven contests between the clubs. By virtue of its top playoff seed, Indianapolis did not play last weekend. Baltimore earned a 33-14 road Wild Card victory at New England last Sunday.
In 2009, 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. In earning the AFC's top playoff seed for the second time since 2005, the club produced a 14-0 start to the season, marking the 3rd in league history (16-0, New England, 2007; 14-0, Miami, 1972). The 13-0 start was the second for the club in the past five seasons (13-0, 2005). The Colts are the only team ever to have three 9-0 starts in a five-year span (also 9-0 in 2006). Jim Caldwell became the only NFL rookie head coach to win his first 14 games in a season, surpassing Potsy Clark (8, Portsmouth, 1931), and he surpassed Wally Lemm (10, 1961 Houston Oilers-1962 St. Louis Cardinals) for the most consecutive wins to start a career. Caldwell also became the 2nd rookie head coach since the 1978 NFL move to a 16-game season to win 14 games (George Seifert, SF, 1989). 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; 7, Dallas, 1975-81). 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. It marked the 12th time in NFL history a team topped 100 regular-season wins in a decade.
The Colts are owners of the NFL's best regular-season record (128-48) 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 73 of its last 89 regular-season games. Since 2002, during the regular season, the Colts are 51-13 at home and 48-16 on the road. The Colts own a 96-28 record (counting the playoffs) since the start of the 2003 season and are 82-23 since 2004.
From November 16, 2003 to December 13, 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 38-10 record in AFC South play, while the club has owned or shared the lead in 112 of 136 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 Colts had six division crowns in the 2000-09 decade, two short of the NFL record set by Minnesota (8) in the 1970s. The club's nine playoff berths in the 2000-09 decade tied the NFL record set by Dallas (9) in the 1970s. In 2009, the Colts joined San Francisco (1997), Philadelphia (2004) and New England (2007) as the only teams since 1990 to clinch their divisions by the 11th game of the season. Indianapolis is the only team since 2002 Realignment to earn annual double-digit victory totals and playoff berths.
PERSONNEL REPORT: DT-Antonio Johnson (shoulder), RB-Chad Simpson (concussion), LB-Clint Session (knee), OT-Ryan Diem (elbow), K-Adam Vinatieri (right knee), TE-Gijon Robinson (knee), DB-Jerraud Powers (hamstring) were out; DT-Keyunta Dawson (knee), WR-Pierre Garcon (hand), OT-Charlie Johnson (foot), DB-Melvin Bullitt (shoulder), DE-Dwight Freeney (abdomen), DE-Robert Mathis (quadriceps), DB-Aaron Francisco (hand), TE-Tom Santi (back) were questionable; RB-Joseph Addai (shoulder), DB-Antoine Bethea (foot), LB-Gary Brackett (foot), DB-Donald Brown (illness), OT-Kyle DeVan (illness), LB-Cody Glenn (shoulder), RB-Mike Hart (ankle), DB-Tim Jennings (ankle), DB-Jacob Lacey (biceps), DT-Fili Moala (knee), DT-Dan Muir (shoulder), OG-Jamey Richard (shoulder), OT-Tony Ugoh (knee), WR-Reggie Wayne (foot) were probable for the last game. Last game's inactive players were: Vinatieri, Powers, Simpson, Robinson, Session, Diem, Freeney and Johnson.
TELEVISION/RADIO: CBS Sports telecasts with Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf. 1070-The Fan/HANK-FM, 97.1 broadcasts with Bob Lamey, Will Wolford and Kevin Lee (field reporter). WESTWOOD ONE broadcasts nationally with Ian Eagle, Tony Boselli and Laura Okmin (field reporter).
**WWW.COLTS.COM**: Please check the official website of the Indianapolis Colts for the latest in team information and merchandise.
HEAD COACHES
JIM CALDWELL was named head coach of the Colts on January 13, 2009, and this marks his eighth 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. The club's offense has produced levels prolific enough during Caldwell's tenure to allow the club to earn an NFL-best eight consecutive playoff appearances. The club has earned 10 victories in eight consecutive seasons, setting the second-longest NFL streak (16, San Francisco, 1983-98; 7, Dallas, 1975-81). The Colts have earned their seventh consecutive season with 11 victories, surpassing the league mark they had shared with Dallas (1976-81). The club's seven consecutive 12 -victory seasons (2003-09) set the NFL's all-time standard. Caldwell became the 2nd rookie head coach since the 1978 NFL move to a 16-game season to win 14 games (George Seifert, SF, 1989). Caldwell is the only NFL rookie head coach to win his first 14 games in a season, surpassing Potsy Clark (8, Portsmouth, 1931), and he surpassed Wally Lemm (10, 1961 Houston Oilers-1962 St. Louis Cardinals) for the most consecutive wins to start a career. From 2004-09, Indianapolis became the only NFL team to earn winning streaks of at least seven games in six consecutive seasons (8, 2004; 13, 2005; 9, 2006; 7 and 6, 2007; 9, 2008; 14, 2009). 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.
JOHN HARBAUGH became the third head coach of the Ravens on January 19, 2008. Harbaugh has directed the Ravens to an 11-5 and 9-7 records, and the Ravens reached the AFC Championship Game in his first season. He spent the previous 10 seasons with Philadelphia, the final year as secondary coach after serving as special teams coordinator. Harbaugh served on Eagles teams that reached four consecutive NFC Championship Games, along with the 2004 squad that reached Super Bowl XXIX. Harbaugh coached collegiately at Western Michigan 1984-86, Pittsburgh 1987, Morehead State 1988, Cincinnati 1989-96 and Indiana 1997. He was a DB at Miami (Ohio) from 1980-83. Harbaugh is a native of Perrysburg, Ohio. His brother, Jim, played with the Colts 1994-97, and is a member of the team's Ring of Honor.
COLTS/RAVENS SERIES NOTES
The Colts own a 7-2 series edge in league play and a 1-0 advantage in the playoffs against the Ravens. On November 22 of this season, a stingy Colts defense limited Baltimore to five field goals, and two late takeaways propelled the Colts to a 17-15 road victory. LB-Gary Brackett intercepted a pass deep in Colts territory in the final three minutes, while the special teams recovered a fumble in the waning seconds as the club prevailed. Indianapolis earned the 19th of an eventual 23 consecutive regular-season victories. QB-Peyton Manning was 22-31-299, 1 TD/2 ints., and he became the first NFL QB to open a career with 12 3,000 seasons. Baltimore K-Billy Cundiff hit five field goals, while K-Matt Stover's 25-yard boot midway through the final period provided the deciding points. Indianapolis limited a third 2009 opponent to no touchdowns. The Colts became the first NFL team to win four consecutive in the same season by a total margin of 10-or-fewer points, and four straight wins after trailing at any point in the fourth quarter set a new NFL record. In last year's meeting on October 12, bolting to a 24-0 halftime lead, the Colts posted a 31-3 home victory over Baltimore. Manning (19-28-271, 3 TDs) teamed with WRs-Marvin Harrison (3-83, 2 TDs; 67t; 5t) and Reggie Wayne (8-118, 1 TD; 22t) on first-half scoring tosses, while the club produced three of its five takeaways over the first 30 minutes. DE-Robert Mathis had three sacks and one forced fumble to help pace the defense. Indianapolis yielded 51 rushing yards and controlled the game throughout. The teams met in Baltimore on December 9, 2007. Clinching a playoff berth with a victory that included a 23-0 first-quarter burst, Indianapolis topped Baltimore, 44-20. Manning (13-17-249, 4 TDs) headlined an offense that included RB-Joseph Addai (13-32, 2 TDs rushing/3-49, 1 TD receiving) and WR-Anthony Gonzalez (6-134, 2 TDs), while Brackett swiped two passes to lead a Colts defense that produced five takeaways and four sacks. Manning passed QB-John Elway (300) for 4th-place in NFL touchdown passes. In the Divisional Playoffs on January 13, 2007, and in a contest pitting a conference's top-ranked offense and defense clashing for only the 9th time since the NFL Merger, Indianapolis used five field goals to produce a 15-6 win at Baltimore. The Colts scored the first points seven minutes into the game and moved to a 9-3 halftime lead in a contest they would never trail. K-Adam Vinatieri booted field goals of 23, 42, 51, 48 and 35 yards. His final field goal with :23 remaining sealed the win for Indianapolis. Vinatieri's five field goals set a club playoff record and tied the league mark he already shared with six other kickers. Manning was 15-30-170, 2 ints., while QB-Steve McNair was 18-29-173, 2 ints. A resilient Colts defense produced two sacks and four takeaways. Indianapolis earned a 24-7 win in Baltimore on September 11, 2005. Led by Manning (21-36-254, 2 TDs passing) and a defense that created four turnovers, three sacks and one touchdown, while blanking Baltimore until the final 13 seconds, the Colts posted a season-opening win. The teams met in Indianapolis on December 19, 2004. The Colts used a field goal on the last snap of the first half and two third-quarter touchdowns in besting the Ravens, 20-10. Manning was 20-33-249, 1 TD to direct the Colts to victory. The teams met in the RCA Dome on October 13, 2002, and K-Mike Vanderjagt hit field goals of 39, 50, 43, 25 and 38 yards, the final one coming with :04 remaining, as the Colts won, 22-20. The teams met on December 2, 2001 in Baltimore, with the Ravens winning, 39-27. Four Colts takeaways were offset by four giveaways as Baltimore used four K-Matt Stover FGs and two scoring passes by QB-Elvis Grbac (23-39-268, 2 TDs/1 int.) to produce the win. The first encounter between the clubs came on October 13, 1996 in Indianapolis, with the Colts emerging 26-21 victors. The Ravens evened the series with a 38-31 win in Baltimore on November 29, 1998.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Colts' playoff berth represents the 23rd in the 57-year history of the team, the 13th since moving to Indianapolis in 1984, the 12th in the past 15 years and the 10th in the past eleven seasons. The 2009 season marked the first year of the Owner and C.E.O Jim Irsay-President Bill Polian-Head Coach Jim Caldwell regime. Under Irsay's stewardship, the Colts have made the playoffs 12 times in the past 15 years, including consecutive seasons from 1999-2000 and 2002-09. The Colts are the only team to earn 10 playoff appearances in the last eleven seasons, including a league-best eight consecutive post-season berths. Indianapolis is the only team since 2002 Realignment to earn annual double-digit victory totals and playoff berths. 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 Colts won six division crowns in the 2000-09 decade, two short of the NFL record set by Minnesota (8) in the 1970s. The club's nine playoff berths in the decade tie the NFL record set by Dallas (9) in the 1970s. In 2009, the Colts joined San Francisco (1997), Philadelphia (2004) and New England (2007) as the only teams since 1990 to clinch their divisions by the 11th game of the season. The club has posted the most regular-season victories (128) in the NFL since 1999. Indianapolis is the only team to earn 12 victories in seven consecutive seasons. The club's seven-year streak with 11 victories is an NFL record, and eight consecutive seasons with 10 wins is 2nd in league history (16, San Francisco, 1983-98). Indianapolis is 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, the Colts set an NFL record with 23 consecutive regular-season victories (21, New England, 2006-08). The club produced a 14-0 start to the season, marking the 3rd in league history (16-0, New England, 2007; 14-0, Miami, 1972). The 13-0 start was the second for the club in the past five seasons (13-0, 2005). The Colts are the only team ever to have three 9-0 starts in a five-year span (also 9-0 in 2006). The Colts produced 115 victories for the 2000-09 decade, surpassing the league record of 113 by San Francisco from 1990-99. It marked the 12th time in NFL history a team topped 100 regular-season wins in a decade. Indianapolis has won 73 of its last 89 regular-season games. From November 16, 2003 to December 13, 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 is 38-10 against the AFC South, and the club has owned or shared the lead in 112 of 136 weeks of the division's existence. Indianapolis won 51 regular-season games from 2006-09 to rank among the leaders for the most regular-season victories over any four-year span (52, Chicago, 1985-88; 52, San Francisco, 1989-92; 52, New England, 2004-07; 51, San Francisco, 1987-90; 51, Colts, 2004-07; 51, Colts, 2005-08; 51, Colts, 2006-09; 50, Chicago, 1984-87; 50, New England, 2003-06; 50, Colts, 2003-06). Indianapolis won 65 games from 2005-09, to rank among the leaders for most regular-season victories over a five-year span (66, New England, 2003-07; 65, Colts, 2005-09; 63, Colts, 2003-07; 63, Colts, 2004-08; 63, New England, 2004-08; 62, Chicago, 1984-88; 62, San Francisco, 1988-92; 62, San Francisco, 1989-93; 61, San Francisco, 1986-90; 61, San Francisco, 1987-91; 61, San Francisco, 1990-94; 61, San Francisco, 1994-98). Polian's teams have produced a combined regular-season record of 228-139 with him as either general manager or president. Discounting his first two building years in Buffalo and his first seasons with Carolina and the Colts, his record is 212-91. In 22 seasons as a general manager or president, his teams have made 16 playoff and seven conference championship game appearances, and he has been a part of 13 11 -victory seasons. In addition to Indianapolis winning an NFL-record 115 regular-season games from 2000-09, Buffalo produced 102 victories from 1990-99, making Polian the only NFL president/general manager to serve with two such teams. From 2002-09, Caldwell has been a part of Colts teams that led the league in victories. In 2009, Caldwell helped produce the 19th 10 -victory season in franchise history, and he is one of five Colts head coaches to earn double-digit victory totals (7, Tony Dungy; 4, Don Shula; 3, Ted Marchibroda; 2, Don McCafferty; 2, Jim Mora; 1, Caldwell). Caldwell joined McCafferty (11-2-1, 1970, Super Bowl champion), Marchibroda (10-4, 1975, Divisional Playoffs) and Dungy (10-6, 2002, Wild Card Playoffs) as the only Colts head coaches to earn a double-digit victory total and a playoff berth in the first year with the club (Lindy Infante directed the club to the Wild Card Playoffs in 1996). Caldwell became the first Colts head coach to win his first 14 games. 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 has become the 2nd rookie head coach since the 1978 NFL move to a 16-game season to win 14 games (George Seifert, SF, 1989). Caldwell is the only NFL rookie head coach to win his first 14 games in a season, surpassing Potsy Clark (8, Portsmouth, 1931), and he surpassed Wally Lemm (10, 1961 Houston Oilers-1962 St. Louis Cardinals) for the most consecutive wins to start a career.
COLTS PLAYOFF HISTORYCOLTS COACHES IN PLAYOFFS: Weeb Ewbank 1958-59; Don Shula 1964-68; Don McCafferty 1970-71; Ted Marchibroda 1975-77; Ron Meyer, 1987; Marchibroda, 1995; Lindy Infante 1996; Jim Mora 1999-2000; Tony Dungy, 2002-08; Jim Caldwell, 2009.
The Colts' all-time post-season record is 17-18.
COLTS ARE NFL'S WINNINGEST TEAM FROM 1999-2009: The Colts stand as the NFL's winningest team since the start of the 1999 season. The Colts own a 128-48 record during that span.
