SUPER BOWL XLIV
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (15-3) vs. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (16-2) DATE: Sunday, February 7, 2010SITE: Sun Life StadiumKICKOFF: 6:00 p.m. (EST)CAPACITY: 74,000 SURFACE: Grass
Taking aim for a fifth championship for one of the most storied franchises in the NFL's 90 seasons, the Indianapolis Colts, 16-2, meet the New Orleans Saints, 15-3, in Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday, February 7, 2010, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kickoff is 6:00 p.m. (EST) for the title contest that will be telecast nationally by CBS Sports, while Westwood One headlines worldwide radio coverage.
The Colts will serve as the home team in Super Bowl XLIV. At stake with the Super Bowl XLIV crown is the Vince Lombardi Trophy, a sterling silver trophy named after the late legendary coach before Super Bowl V.
The 57-year history of the Colts stands proud in NFL annals with four prior world titles, eleven individuals enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and a logo as recognized as any in American sports. The Colts will try to capture a fifth title as they make a return trip to the Super Bowl. Indianapolis defeated Chicago on February 4, 2007 in Super Bowl XLI, 29-17, in Dolphin Stadium. In addition to winning Super Bowl XLI, the Colts played in two of the first five Super Bowls, dropping a 16-7 upset verdict to the underdog New York Jets on January 12, 1969 in Super Bowl III, before topping the Dallas Cowboys, 16-13, on January 17, 1971 in Super Bowl V. Both games were played in Miami's Orange Bowl. The contest against the Jets actually was billed as the Third World Championship Game, but was later dubbed Super Bowl III. In avenging the loss to the Jets by topping Dallas two years later, the Colts pulled off then the latest game-deciding score in Super Bowl history. K-Jim O'Brien's 32-yard field goal with five seconds remaining capped a zany game and brutal defensive battle that housed eleven turnovers. The outcome gave the franchise its third title. The first two Colts championships helped imprint the NFL on the American mindset. The Colts topped the New York Giants on December 28, 1959, 23-17 in overtime at Yankee Stadium. It was the first overtime affair in league history. Baltimore Head Coach Weeb Ewbank and 12 players from the game eventually became NFL Hall of Famers, while the contest became known as, 'The Greatest Game Ever Played.' The Colts became repeat champions a year later by taking a 31-16 victory over the Giants at Memorial Stadium. Super Bowl XLI was played in steady rain and 67-degree temperatures on February 4, 2007, in Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Colts overcame a 14-6 second-quarter deficit in posting the victory. Led by QB-Peyton Manning (25-38-247, 1 TD/int.), a rushing attack that produced 191 yards and a defense that surrendered eleven first downs and 265 net yards while helping produce five turnovers, the Colts out-scored the Bears, 23-3, over the game's final 41 minutes. Manning teamed with WR-Reggie Wayne (2-61, 1 TD; 53t) for the club's first score. RB-Dominic Rhodes tallied on a 1t rush midway through the second quarter, and Indianapolis would not relinquish the lead. K-Adam Vinatieri added field goals of 29, 24 and 20 yards to boost the club's lead to 22-17 late in the third quarter, then DB-Kelvin Hayden's 56t interception return early in the fourth quarter provided the final points. Manning earned Most Valuable Player honors, becoming the first Colts Super Bowl MVP. RB-Joseph Addai (10-66) set a Super Bowl reception mark for a running back.
The Colts are one of 13 franchises to make four or more Super Bowl appearances (8, Dallas; 7, Pittsburgh; 6, New England, Denver; 5, Los Angeles/Oakland, Miami, San Francisco, Washington; 4, Colts, Buffalo, Green Bay, Minnesota, New York Giants).
The Colts are only team to make the playoffs 10 times in the past eleven years. The club won the AFC Eastern Division championship in 1999, then won five consecutive AFC South championships (2003-07), the best divisional-title streak in club history. The 2000, 2002 and 2008 clubs made the playoffs as a non-division winning Wild Card team. Indianapolis won the AFC South in 2009 by posting a 14-2 record. The club advanced to Super Bowl XLIV with a 20-3 Divisional Playoff win over Baltimore and a 30-17 AFC Championship Game victory over the New York Jets. Standing in the Colts' path to the Super Bowl XLIV title are the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans reached this point following a 45-14 Divisional Playoff home win over Arizona and a 31-28 NFC Championship Game home victory in overtime over Minnesota.
The Colts have earned their league-best eighth consecutive playoff berth, and a 10th such accomplishment in the past eleven seasons. The club's streak of eight consecutive playoff appearances spanned Tony Dungy's tenure in Indianapolis and includes the first season under field general Jim Caldwell. 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). He became the only coach ever to start 14-0 when succeeding a head coach who won 100 games (139, Dungy). Caldwell hopes to join Adam Walsh (Cleveland Rams, 1945), Paul Brown (Cleveland Browns, 1950), George Wilson, Sr. (Detroit Lions, 1957), Lou Rymkus (Houston Oilers, 1960), Wally Lemm (Houston Oilers, 1961), Don McCafferty (Colts, 1970) and George Seifert (San Francisco 49ers, 1989) as the only rookie head coaches since 1933 to win the league championship.
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). The Colts have had four 6-0 starts in the past five seasons (14-0, 2009; 13-0, 2005; 9-0, 2006; 7-0, 2007). 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 98-28 record (counting the playoffs) since the start of the 2003 season and are 84-23 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.
COLTS PLAYOFF RECAP
AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS: COLTS 20, BALTIMORE 3
Breaking a 3-3 tie with 14 points in the final two minutes of the second quarter, Indianapolis produced a 20-3 victory over Baltimore. The Colts and Ravens traded field goals on their first possessions in a game where touchdowns were a premium. QB-Peyton Manning was 30-44-246, 2 TDs/1 int., teaming with WRs-Austin Collie (4-52, 1 TD; 10t) and Reggie Wayne (8-63, 1 TD; 3t) for the scores that gave the Colts a cushion. Collie's score broke the tie, while Wayne's scoring reception came with :03 left in the first half as the Colts built a 17-3 lead. K-Matt Stover opened the game with a 44-yard field goal, and his 33-yard boot early in the fourth quarter provided the final points. Indianapolis forced four takeaways in the second half to earn the win. Indianapolis limited the potent Baltimore rushing attack to 87 yards. The attendance of 67,535 set a franchise record. Indianapolis controlled the ball for 33:58 of the contest.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: COLTS 30, NEW YORK JETS 17
Erasing an eleven-point second-quarter deficit by scoring the game's final 24 points, Indianapolis earned a 30-17 victory over the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Game. The Jets bolted to a 17-6 lead the Colts cut to 17-13 just prior to the half, then Indianapolis tallied 17 second-half points to produce the victory. QB-Peyton Manning was 26-39-377, 3 TDs, teaming with WRs-Pierre Garcon (11-151, 1 TD; 4t) and Austin Collie (7-123, 1 TD; 16t) on the majority of his completions. TE-Dallas Clark (4-35, 1 TD) tallied on a 15t pass midway through the fourth quarter to give the club a 10-point lead, and the final of three K-Matt Stover fields goals (25, 19, 21) with 2:29 to play marked the game's final points. Manning produced his 7th career 300 playoff game, setting the NFL record (6, Joe Montana; 6, Kurt Warner). Manning's playoff yardage total of 4,831 ranks 4th in history (5,855, Brett Favre; 5,772, Montana; 4,964, John Elway). This marked the 4th time the club had two 100 receivers in a playoff game. Jim Caldwell became the 5th rookie head coach to reach the Super Bowl, and he hopes to become the 3rd to emerge victorious (Don McCafferty, Colts, 1970; George Seifert, San Francisco, 1989). The attendance of 67,650 set a franchise record. The Colts qualified for their fourth Super Bowl (III, V, XLI, XLIV), with all four of those contest played in Miami.
SUPER BOWL XLIV BROADCAST INFORMATION
TELEVISION/RADIO: CBS Sports will telecast Super Bowl XLIV on more than 200 affiliates throughout the United States. This is the 17th Super Bowl broadcast for CBS Sports. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms handle the booth assignment, while Solomon Wilcots and Steve Tasker serve as field reporters. Lance Barrow is the producer and Mike Arnold is the director. 1070-The Fan/HANK-FM, 97.1 broadcasts with Bob Lamey, Will Wolford and Kevin Lee (field reporter). For the 23rd consecutive year and 37th time overall, Westwood One is the exclusive network radio home of the Super Bowl. More than 500 radio stations across America will carry the broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV. Additionally, the broadcast can be heard in 180 foreign countries and ships at sea via the American Forces Radio Network. Marv Albert and Boomer Esiason call their eighth Super Bowl together for Westwood One. James Lofton and Mark Malone are field reporters. Jim Gray hosts pregame and halftime, along with Scott Graham.
**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. 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. In 2009, 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 seven consecutive seasons (8, 2004; 13, 2005; 9, 2006; 7 and 6, 2007; 9, 2008; 14, 2009). 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 five games (4, Infante). 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 hopes to join Adam Walsh (Cleveland Rams, 1945), Paul Brown (Cleveland Browns, 1950), George Wilson, Sr. (Detroit Lions, 1957), Lou Rymkus (Houston Oilers, 1960), Wally Lemm (Houston Oilers, 1961), Don McCafferty (Colts, 1970) and George Seifert (San Francisco 49ers, 1989) as the only rookie head coaches since 1933 to win the league championship. 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.
SEAN PAYTON was named the 14th head coach in Saints history on January 18, 2006. Payton has guided the Saints to 10-6, 7-9, 8-8 and 13-3 records. His 2006 squad advanced to the NFC Championship Game before falling at Chicago, 39-14. His 2009 unit advanced to Super Bowl XLIV. Payton served the prior three seasons with Dallas as assistant head coach/passing game coordinator (2005) and assistant head coach/quarterbacks (2003-04). He served 1999-02 with the New York Giants, the final three as offensive coordinator. Payton was quarterback coach with Philadelphia 1997-98. He served collegiate assistantships at San Diego State 1988-89, 92-93, Indiana State 1990-91 and Miami (Ohio) 1994-95. He was a quarterback at Eastern Illinois before having brief professional playing stints with Ottawa (CFL) and Chicago. Payton is a native of San Mateo, Calif.
COLTS/SAINTS SERIES NOTES
The Colts and Saints have met but 10 times since 1967 and not since the 2007 season. The league series is squared at five wins apiece. The teams last met in the regular season on September 6, 2007. Scoring on five consecutive drives, the Colts turned a 10-7 deficit to a 34-10 lead on the way to a 41-10 conquest of New Orleans. Indianapolis tallied on its first four second-half possessions behind QB-Peyton Manning (18-30-288, 3 TDs), RB-Joseph Addai (23-118, 1 TD rushing) and WR-Reggie Wayne (7-115, 2 TDs), while the Indianapolis defense produced three takeaways to fuel the offensive burst. Manning hit Wayne on 28t and 45t plays, while Addai's 2t rush and DB-Matt Giordano's 83t interception return pushed the Colts to victory. Manning also hit WR-Marvin Harrison on a 27t pass to open the scoring, and the Indianapolis defense yielded only a field goal to the Saints. The 31-point victory margin was the largest in club history for opening-day. The teams met in the Louisiana Superdome on September 28, 2003, with the Colts earning a 55-21 win. The outcome snapped a five-game Saints series winning streak. In that contest, the Colts produced the highest road point total and tied the fourth-highest scoring game in club history. Manning (20-25-314, 6 TDs) broke the club record for touchdown passes in a game and earned his third career perfect rating. Harrison (6-158, 3 TDs) scored on receptions of 14, 79 and 32 yards, while the defense created four takeaways that all turned into touchdowns. DE-Dwight Freeney scored on a 19t fumble return. On November 18, 2001, despite a 14-0 first-quarter lead, the Colts dropped a 34-20 decision to the Saints. Manning (18-28-262, 1 TD/int.) hit TE-Marcus Pollard (3-126, 1 TD) on a 86t strike to start the game, then RB-Dominic Rhodes (18-67, 1 TD) tallied on a 1t burst, but the Saints countered behind the passing of QB-Aaron Brooks (19-22-249, 2 TDs), the receiving of WR-Joe Horn (8-148) and the rushing of RB-Ricky Williams (28-120, 1 TD). Brooks hit 8t and 12t passes to WR-Eddie Williams. New Orleans took a 19-13 overtime win in Indianapolis on September 27, 1998. QB-Danny Wuerffel hit TE-Cam Cleeland on a 33t pass 6:10 into overtime as the Saints rallied from a 13-6 deficit to win. Manning, a rookie starter, was 19-32-309, 1 TD/3 ints., while RB-Marshall Faulk was 27-61 rushing/6-128, 1 TD receiving. The Colts beat New Orleans on September 30, 1973, 14-10 in Baltimore. The Colts took 30-10 wins over the Saints in 1967 and 1969.
COLTS ALL-TIME DOUBLE-DIGIT VICTORY SEASONS
14-2 2005 Tony Dungy Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. Pittsburgh, 21-18
14-2 2009 Jim Caldwell Playing in Super Bowl XLIV vs. New Orleans
13-1 1968 Don Shula Lost Super Bowl III to N.Y. Jets, 16-7
13-3 1999 Jim Mora Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. Tennessee, 19-16
13-3 2007 Tony Dungy Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. San Diego, 28-24
12-2 1964 Don Shula Lost NFL Championship Game at Cleveland, 27-0
12-4 2003 Tony Dungy Lost AFC Championship Game at New England, 24-14
12-4 2004 Tony Dungy Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs at New England, 20-3
12-4 2006 Tony Dungy Won Super Bowl XLI over Chicago, 29-17
12-4 2008 Tony Dungy Lost AFC Wild Card Playoffs at San Diego, 23-17 (OT)
11-1-2 1967 Don Shula Lost tie-breaker with 11-1-2 Rams and missed playoffs
11-2-1 1970 Don McCafferty Won Super Bowl V over Dallas, 16-13
11-3 1976 Ted Marchibroda Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. Pittsburgh, 40-14
10-3-1 1965 Don Shula Lost Western Conference Playoffs at Green Bay, 13-10 (OT)
10-4 1971 Don McCafferty Lost AFC Championship Game at Miami, 21-0
10-4 1975 Ted Marchibroda Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs at Pittsburgh, 28-10
10-4 1977 Ted Marchibroda Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. Oakland, 37-31 (2 OT)
10-6 2000 Jim Mora Lost AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Miami, 23-17 (OT)
10-6 2002 Tony Dungy Lost AFC Wild Card Playoffs at N.Y. Jets, 41-0
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 eight 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 HISTORY
1958 9-3-0 First-Western Conference Beat N.Y. Giants, 23-17 (OT), to win NFL Championship (Yankee Stadium)
1959 9-3-0 First-Western Conference Beat N.Y. Giants, 31-16, to win NFL Championship (Memorial Stadium)
1964 12-2-0 First-Western Conference Lost NFL Championship Game at Cleveland, 27-0
1965 10-3-1 TFirst-Western Conference Lost Western Conference Playoffs at Green Bay, 13-10 (OT)
1968 13-1-0 First-Coastal Division Lost Super Bowl III to N.Y. Jets, 16-7 (Orange Bowl)
1970 11-2-1 First-AFC East Beat Dallas Cowboys, 16-13, to win Super Bowl V (Orange Bowl)
1971 10-4-0 Second-AFC East Lost AFC Championship Game at Miami, 21-0
1975 10-4-0 First-AFC East Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs at Pittsburgh, 28-10
1976 11-3-0 First-AFC East Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. Pittsburgh, 40-14
1977 10-4-0 First-AFC East Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. Oakland, 37-31 (2OT)
1987 9-6-0 First-AFC East Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs at Cleveland, 38-21
1995 9-7-0 Second-AFC East Lost AFC Championship Game at Pittsburgh, 20-16
1996 9-7-0 Third-AFC East Lost AFC Wild Cards Playoffs at Pittsburgh, 42-14
1999 13-3-0 First-AFC East Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. Tennessee, 19-16
2000 10-6-0 Second-AFC East Lost AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Miami, 23-17 (OT)
2002 10-6-0 Second-AFC South Lost AFC Wild Card Playoffs at New York Jets, 41-0
2003 12-4-0 First-AFC South Lost AFC Championship Game at New England, 24-14
2004 12-4-0 First-AFC South Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs at New England, 20-3
2005 14-2-0 First-AFC South Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. Pittsburgh, 21-18
2006 12-4-0 First-AFC South Beat Chicago Bears, 29-17, to win Super Bowl XLI (Dolphin Stadium)
2007 13-3-0 First-AFC South Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. San Diego, 28-24
2008 12-4-0 Second-AFC South Lost AFC Wild Card Playoffs at San Diego, 23-17 (OT)
2009 14-2-0 First-AFC South Playing in Super Bowl XLIV vs. New Orleans
COLTS 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 19-18. Here are the Colts' game-by-game playoff results:
COLTS PLAYOFF HISTORY – GAME-BY-GAME
1958 Won at New York Giants, 23-17 (OT)
1959 Won vs. New York Giants, 31-16
1964 Lost at Cleveland, 27-0
1965 Lost at Green Bay, 13-10 (OT)
1968 Won vs. Minnesota, 24-14 Won at Cleveland, 34-0 Lost Super Bowl III to N.Y. Jets, 16-7
1970 Won vs. Cincinnati, 17-0 Won vs. Oakland, 27-17 Won Super Bowl V vs. Dallas, 16-13
1971 Won at Cleveland, 20-3 Lost at Miami, 21-0
1975 Lost at Pittsburgh, 28-10
1976 Lost vs. Pittsburgh, 40-14
1977 Lost vs. Oakland, 37-31 (2 OT)
1987 Lost at Cleveland, 38-21
1995 Won at San Diego, 35-20 Won at Kansas City, 10-7 Lost at Pittsburgh, 20-16
1996 Lost at Pittsburgh, 42-14
1999 Lost vs. Tennessee, 19-16
2000 Lost at Miami, 23-17 (OT)
2002 Lost at New York Jets, 41-0
2003 Won vs. Denver, 41-10 Won at Kansas City, 38-31 Lost at New England, 24-14
2004 Won vs. Denver, 49-24 Lost at New England, 20-3
2005 Lost vs. Pittsburgh, 21-18
2006 Won vs. Kansas City, 23-8 Won at Baltimore, 15-6 Won vs. New England, 38-34, Won Super Bowl XLI vs. Chicago, 29-17
2007 Lost vs. San Diego, 28-24
2008 Lost at San Diego, 23-17 (OT)
2009 Won vs. Baltimore, 20-3 Won vs. New York Jets, 30-17 Playing in Super Bowl XLIV vs. New Orleans
JIM CALDWELL AND THE SUPER BOWL
Jim Caldwell and Sean Payton are the 46th and 47th head coaches to make the Super Bowl. Caldwell hopes to be the 22nd field general to win in his initial Super Bowl appearance:
Chuck Noll Pittsburgh 4-0 Super Bowl IX Pittsburgh 16, Minnesota 6
Bill Walsh San Francisco 3-0 Super Bowl XVI San Francisco 26, Cincinnati 21
Tom Flores LA Raiders 2-0 Super Bowl XV Oakland 27, Philadelphia 10
Jimmy Johnson Dallas 2-0 Super Bowl XXVII Dallas 52, Buffalo 17
Vince Lombardi Green Bay 2-0 Super Bowl I Green Bay 35, Kansas City 10
George Seifert San Francisco 2-0 Super Bowl XXIV San Francisco 55, Denver 10
Mike Shanahan Denver 2-0 Super Bowl XXXII Denver 31, Green Bay 24
Brian Billick Baltimore 1-0 Super Bowl XXXV Baltimore 34, New York Giants 7
Tom Coughlin New York Giants 1-0 Super Bowl XLII New York Giants 17, New England 14
Mike Ditka Chicago 1-0 Super Bowl XX Chicago 46, New England 10
Tony Dungy Colts 1-0 Super Bowl XLI Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17
Weeb Ewbank New York Jets 1-0 Super Bowl III New York Jets 16, Baltimore 7
Jon Gruden Tampa Bay 1-0 Super Bowl XXXVII Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21
John Madden Oakland 1-0 Super Bowl XI Oakland 32, Minnesota 14
Don McCafferty Baltimore 1-0 Super Bowl V Baltimore 16, Dallas 13
Barry Switzer Dallas 1-0 Super Bowl XXX Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 17
Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh 1-0 Super Bowl XLIII Pittsburgh 27, Arizona 23
Joe Gibbs Washington 3-1 Super Bowl XVII Washington 27, Miami 17
Bill Belichick New England 3-1 Super Bowl XXXVI New England 20, St. Louis 17
Bill Parcells New York Giants 2-1 Super Bowl XXI New York Giants 39, Denver 20
Mike Holmgren Green Bay 1-1 Super Bowl XXXI Green Bay 35, New England 21
COLTS WITH SUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE OTHER THAN XLI
Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore was the wide receivers coach with the Super Bowl XIII and XIV champion Steelers. Defensive Line Coach John Teerlinck held the same capacity with the Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII champion Denver Broncos. Moore and Teerlinck join 20 other coaches who have won Super Bowls with more than one team. K-Adam Vinatieri was with New England for Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX, including game-winning last-minute field goals against St. Louis (48 yards as time expired) and Carolina (41 yards with :04 remaining). Vinatieri is one of 30 NFL players with four Super Bowl rings, and he is one shy of the record held by DE-Charles Haley. With the win in Super Bowl XLI, Vinatieri joined 42 other players who have won Super Bowls with more than one team. Colts President Bill Polian built the Buffalo Bills into an eventual four-time Super Bowl participant. Polian was with the Bills for Super Bowls XXV, XXVI and XXVII. Assistant Offensive Line/Offensive Quality Control Coach Pete Metzelaars was TE with Buffalo for Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII and XXVIII. Quarterbacks Coach Frank Reich was QB with Buffalo for Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII and XXVIII. Special Assistant to the Defense Rod Perry was DB with L.A. Rams in Super Bowl XIV, and he was Secondary Coach with Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII. K-Matt Stover was with Baltimore for Super Bowl XXXV and was on IR with N.Y. Giants for Super Bowl XV. DB-Aaron Francisco was with Arizona for Super Bowl XLIII.
ASSOCIATED PRESS NFL MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS IN THE SUPER BOWL
QB-Peyton Manning is the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player, his fourth career honor, surpassing QB-Brett Favre for the most citations of the award. Manning shared the award with QB-Steve McNair in 2003, then won in 2004 and 2008. He aims to become the 11th NFL MVP to help lead his team to a Super Bowl title. Here are the NFL MVPs to help a team to the NFL title: QB-Bart Starr, Green Bay, 1966, defeated Kansas City in Super Bowl I, 35-10; QB-Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh, 1978, defeated Dallas in Super Bowl XIII, 35-31; K-Mark Moseley, Washington, 1982, defeated Miami in Super Bowl XVII, 27-17; LB-Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants, 1986, defeated Denver in Super Bowl XXI, 39-20; QB-Joe Montana, San Francisco, 1989, defeated Denver in Super Bowl XXIV, 55-10; RB-Emmitt Smith, Dallas, 1993, defeated Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII, 30-13; QB-Steve Young, San Francisco, 1994, defeated San Diego in Super Bowl XXIX, 49-26; QB-Brett Favre, Green Bay, 1996, defeated New England in Super Bowl XXXI, 35-21; RB-Terrell Davis, Denver, 1998, defeated Atlanta in Super Bowl XXXIII, 34-19; QB-Kurt Warner, St. Louis, 1999, defeated Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV, 23-16. There are four additional Associated Press NFL Most Outstanding Players/Most Valuable Players who won NFL Championships: QB-Norm Van Brocklin (Philadelphia, 1960); RB-Paul Hornung (Green Bay, 1961); RB-Jim Taylor (Green Bay, 1962); QB-Earl Morrall (Colts, 1968).
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.
2009 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS INDIVIDUAL PLAYER AWARDS
QB-Peyton Manning – Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player
QB-Peyton Manning – Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team
QB-Peyton Manning – PFW/PFWA NFL Most Valuable Player
QB-Peyton Manning – PFW/PFWA NFL Offensive Player-of-the-Year
QB-Peyton Manning – PFW/PFWA NFL All-NFL Team
QB-Peyton Manning – PFW/PFWA NFL All-AFC Team
QB-Peyton Manning – AFC Offensive Player-of-the-Month (September)
QB-Peyton Manning – Kansas City Committee of 101 AFC Offensive Player-of-the-Year
QB-Peyton Manning – AFC Offensive Player-of-the-Week (11/15 vs. New England)
QB-Peyton Manning – The Sporting News NFL Player-of-the-Decade
QB-Peyton Manning – The Sporting News NFL All-Decade Team
QB-Peyton Manning – Sports Illustrated NFL Player-of-the-Decade
QB-Peyton Manning – Sports Illustrated NFL All-Decade Team
QB-Peyton Manning – AFC Pro Bowl Team Starter
WR-Reggie Wayne – AFC Pro Bowl Team Starter
TE-Dallas Clark – AFC Pro Bowl Team Starter
TE-Dallas Clark – NFL Alumni Tight End-of-the-Year
TE-Dallas Clark – The Sporting News NFL All-Pro Team
TE-Dallas Clark – Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team
TE-Dallas Clark – PFW/PFWA NFL All-NFL Team
TE-Dallas Clark – PFW/PFWA NFL All-AFC Team
C-Jeff Saturday – The Sporting News NFL All-Decade Team
C-Jeff Saturday – AFC Pro Bowl Team
OG-Ryan Lilja – Thomas W. Moses, Sr./Noble Max Award
DE-Dwight Freeney – AFC Pro Bowl Team Starter
DE-Dwight Freeney – Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team
DE-Dwight Freeney – The Sporting News NFL All-Pro Team
DE-Dwight Freeney – PFW/PFWA NFL All-NFL Team
DE-Dwight Freeney – PFW/PFWA NFL All-AFC Team
DE-Robert Mathis – AFC Pro Bowl Team Starter
DE-Robert Mathis – AFC Offensive Player-of-the-Month (November)
K-Adam Vinatieri – The Sporting News NFL All-Decade Team
K-Adam Vinatieri – Sports Illustrated NFL All-Decade Team
DB-Marlin Jackson – Ed Block Courage Award
Bill Polian – Sports Illustrated Best General Manager (Decade)
Bill Polian – Sports Illustrated NFL All-Decade General Manager
Howard Mudd – Sports Illustrated NFL All-Decade Assistant Coach
P-Pat McAfee – PFW/PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team
P-Pat McAfee – The Sporting News NFL All-Rookie Team
WR-Austin Collie – PFW/PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team
WR-Austin Collie – The Sporting News NFL All-Rookie Team
DB-Jacob Lacey – PFW/PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team
DB-Jacob Lacey – The Sporting News NFL All-Rookie Team
Bill Polian – PFW/PFWA NFL Executive-of-the-Year
COLTS NFL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
NFL CHAMPIONSHIP:Colts 23, New York Giants 17 (Overtime) - December 28, 1958 Yankee Stadium
Attendance – 64,185 – In a contest that spawned the monikor, 'The Greatest Game Ever Played,' the Colts gained their first World Championship with a compelling 23-17 overtime victory over the New York Giants. Colts Head Coach Weeb Ewbank and 12 players from the game eventually became NFL Hall of Famers. The Colts took a 14-3 second-quarter lead on a 2t rush by RB-Alan Ameche (14-65, 2 TDs) and a 15t pass from QB-John Unitas (26-40-349, 1 TD/int.) to WR-Raymond Berry (12-178, 1 TD). The Giants countered with second-half scores by RB-Mel Triplett (1t rush) and Frank Gifford (15t reception). K-Steve Myhra squared matters in regulation by booting a 20-yard field goal with :07 left. Unitas embarked the Colts on a 80-yard, 13-play drive that ended at 8:15 of "sudden death" when Ameche burst over from a yard out. The Colts wore white jerseys.
NFL CHAMPIONSHIP: Colts 31, New York Giants 16 - December 27, 1959 Memorial Stadium
Attendance – 57,545 – The Colts concluded the NFL's "1950's Golden Era" with a 24-point fourth quarter to capture their second World Championship. The Giants took a 9-7 foothold into the last period behind three K-Pat Summerall field goals (23, 37, 22 yards), while RB-Lenny Moore's 59t snare from QB-John Unitas (18-29-264, 2 TDs) marked the Colts' points through three quarters. Unitas scored on a 4t rush, then teamed with WR-Jerry Richardson on a 12t pass for a 21-9 lead. DB-John Sample's 42t interception return and K-Steve Myhra's 25-yard field goal capped the victory. The Colts wore blue jerseys.
NFL CHAMPIONSHIP: Cleveland 27, Colts 0 - December 27, 1964 Municipal Stadium
Attendance – 79,544 – Following a scoreless first half, the Colts' championship hopes were buried by a 27-point blitz over the final two quarters. Browns QB-Frank Ryan (11-18-206, 3 TDs/1 int.) teamed with WR-Gary Collins (5-130, 3 TDs) on scoring passes covering 18, 42 and 51 yards, while K-Lou Groza booted 43- and 10-yard field goals. RB-Jim Brown was 27-114 rushing to pace a ball-controlled attack. QB-John Unitas (12-20-95, 3 ints.) led the club to eleven first downs and 171 yards. Cleveland amassed 20 first downs and 339 net yards. The Colts wore white jerseys.
SUPER BOWL III:New York Jets 16, Colts 7 - January 12, 1969 Orange Bowl
Attendance – 75,337 – QB-Joe Namath (17-28-206) fulfilled a victory guarantee and led the Jets over the Colts, 16-7, to give the AFL its first win over the established NFL. The Colts had lost one of 16 games all season. QB-Earl Morrall (6-17-71, 3 ints.) was intercepted by the opportunistic Jets before giving way to QB-John Unitas (11-24-110, 1 int.), who had missed most of the season with a sore elbow. RB-Matt Snell's 30-121 rushing day included a 4t dash. K-Jim Turner added field goals of 32, 30 and 9 yards before RB-Jerry Hill tallied on a 1t fourth-quarter rush. The win made Weeb Ewbank the only coach to win titles in both leagues, and it made him the winning coach in two of the NFL's most significant games (1958 Colts-Giants NFL Championship). The Colts wore blue jerseys.
SUPER BOWL V:Colts 16, Dallas 13 - January 17, 1971 Orange Bowl
Attendance – 79,204 – Rookie K-Jim O'Brien climaxed one of the zaniest games ever played when he lofted a 32-yard field goal through the goal posts with :05 left to give the Colts their third NFL Championship, 16-13 over Dallas. A brutal defensive struggle produced eleven turnovers, the 10th an interception by LB-Mike Curtis in the last minute to set up O'Brien's boot. Down 6-0, QB-John Unitas' (3-9-88, 1 TD/2 ints.) controversial 75t pass to TE-John Mackey gave the Colts a lift. Unitas left afterwards with bruised ribs. QB-Earl Morrall (7-15-147, 1 int.) atoned for Super Bowl III failures on the same field by guiding the club after Unitas' departure. Dallas recovered a fumbled second-half kickoff and moved to the Colts' two, but RB-Duane Thomas lost a fumble. RB-Tom Nowatzke tallied on a 2t rush following a DB-Rick Volk interception, and the game was tied, 13-13. Following O'Brien's kick, DB-Jerry Logan swiped a QB-Craig Morton pass on the final play. The Colts wore white jerseys.
SUPER BOWL XLI:Colts 29, Chicago 17 - February 4, 2007 Dolphin Stadium
Attendance – 74,512 – The Colts earned a fourth World Championship in besting Chicago, 29-17, in Super Bowl. In a contest played in steady rain and 67-degree temperatures, the Colts overcame a 14-6 second-quarter deficit in posting the victory. Led by QB-Peyton Manning (25-38-247, 1 TD/int.), a rushing attack that produced 191 yards behind RBs-Dominic Rhodes (21-113, 1 TD) and Joseph Addai (19-77) and a defense that surrendered only eleven first downs and 265 net yards while helping produce five turnovers, the Colts out-scored the Bears 23-3 over the game's final 41 minutes. Manning teamed with WR-Reggie Wayne (2-61, 1 TD; 53t) for the club's first score. Rhodes tallied on a 1t rush midway through the second quarter, and Indianapolis would not relinquish the lead. K-Adam Vinatieri added field goals of 29, 24 and 20 yards to boost the club's lead to 22-17 late in the third quarter, then DB-Kelvin Hayden's 56t interception return early in the fourth quarter provided the final points. Manning earned Most Valuable Player honors, becoming the first Colts Super Bowl MVP. Addai (10-66) set a Super Bowl reception mark for a running back. The victory marked the club's first title in 36 years. The Colts wore white jerseys.
