2010s
The Colts were 10-6 in 2010, won the AFC South and tied the NFL mark with a ninth consecutive playoff appearance (Dallas, 1975-83). It was the club's ninth straight season with 10-plus victories. The club fell in the Wild Card Playoffs to the New York Jets, 17-16.
Following a 2-14 campaign in 2011, Vice Chairman Bill Polian, Vice President & General Manager Chris Polian and Head Coach Jim Caldwell were all relieved of their duties. Jim Irsay and the organization hired Ryan Grigson to serve as the team's new general manager and Chuck Pagano as the team's new head coach.
The 2012 Colts faced one of the most unique years in franchise history. The team quickly experienced adversity when their head coach, Chuck Pagano, was diagnosed with a curable form of leukemia four weeks into the season. The Colts rallied around their ailing head coach and the "CHUCKSTRONG" campaign en route to accomplishing one of their main goals – extending the season for Pagano's return. Offensive Coordinator/Interim Head Coach Bruce Arians guided the team to a 9-3 record in Pagano's absence and clinched a playoff berth with the team's 20-13 victory at Kansas City. In the regular season finale, Pagano returned for the first time since his absence and capitalized on the team's goal, defeating the Houston Texans. Indianapolis fell short in an AFC Wild Card Playoff meeting at Baltimore, who won the ensuing Super Bowl. Although it was a difficult end to the season, the year was filled with highlights. The Colts finished with an 11-5 regular season record and tied the third-largest one-year turnaround in NFL history. Pagano and Arians earned dual Coach of the Year honors from several media outlets while Grigson was named the Executive of the Year from PFW/PFWA and The Sporting News. Three players represented the Colts in the Pro Bowl, including Luck, Mathis and Wayne. In his rookie season, Luck led the Colts to the most wins by a No. 1 overall draft pick in NFL history while setting records for the most passing yards (4,374), attempts (627) and 300-yard passing games (six) by a rookie in NFL history.
Indianapolis concluded the 2013 campaign with an 11-5 regular season record, while earning its first AFC South Division title since 2010. The team also won its first playoff game since 2009 after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC Wild Card meeting, 45-44, which was the second-largest comeback in NFL postseason history. The Colts tallied a perfect 6-0 division record and became the first NFL team to finish a season with the least amount of turnovers (14) and penalties (66) since 2002. Three players including Mathis, Luck and LS-Matt Overton were named to the Pro Bowl. Mathis led the NFL and set a career-high with 19.5 sacks, earning the inaugural Deacon Jones Award. He also became the franchise all-time sack leader (111.0) en route to Associated Press First Team NFL All-Pro honors.
The Colts finished the 2014 campaign with an 11-5 regular season record, while earning their second consecutive AFC South Division title. The team also won two postseason contests and made it back to the AFC Championship game for the first time since 2009. Indianapolis notched its third consecutive 11-win season in 2014, which made Pagano only the second head coach in NFL history to earn 11 wins in each of his first three seasons with a team. The Colts recorded a perfect 6-0 division record for the second straight year, marking the first time in franchise history they've accomplished the feat in back-to-back seasons. They also claimed their ninth AFC South title since 2002, which is the second-most division titles of any NFL team during that span. Seven Colts players earned Pro Bowl honors in 2014, including S-Mike Adams, CB-Vontae Davis, Hilton, ILB-D'Qwell Jackson, Luck, P-Pat McAfee and Vinatieri. McAfee and Vinatieri also earned Associated Press First Team NFL All-Pro accolades.
In 2015, the Colts finished with an 8-8 record and a winning record in the AFC South Division for the fourth consecutive year. Following a Week 5 victory against the Houston Texans, Indianapolis set an NFL record for the most consecutive wins against a division opponent with 16. QB-Matt Hasselbeck finished with a 5-3 record as a starter, filling in for an injured Andrew Luck. RB-Frank Gore logged the team's highest rushing total dating back to 2007 with 967 yards and Indianapolis' defense finished with five touchdowns, which tied the franchise record for the most in a season (1975 and 1994). The team featured three Pro Bowlers, including Adams, Davis and Hilton who all made their second consecutive appearances. The season was highlighted with a victory against the undefeated and eventual Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos in a Week 9 contest at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis' defense limited the Broncos to 35 rushing yards while the Colts offense compiled one of its most impressive offensive performances of the year with 365 net yards.
The Colts finished with an 8-8 record in 2016 and missed the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 1997-98. Hilton led the NFL in receiving yards (1,448) and Gore recorded the team's first 1,000-yard rushing season dating back to 2007 (1,025). Gore also posted two 100-yard rushing contests, which were the first for the Colts since 2012. OLB Erik Walden ranked tied for eighth in the league with a career-high 8.0 sacks. On special teams, Vinatieri set a new NFL record for consecutive field goals made with 44 dating back to the 2015 season and McAfee led the league in punting average (49.3). Mathis concluded his 14-year career for Indianapolis. He finished first in franchise history in sacks (123.0) and sacks in a season (19.5 in 2013) and holds the NFL record for career sack-forced fumbles (47). Hilton and McAfee were both selected to the Pro Bowl. Gore was the recipient of the 2016 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Following the season, the Colts hired Chris Ballard as the team's new general manager.
In 2017, the Colts finished 4-12 and battled injuries throughout the season as 27 players were placed on the team's Injured Reserve List. With Andrew Luck missing the season due to injury, the team turned to second-year QB-Jacoby Brissett, who was acquired via trade with the New England Patriots. Brissett threw for 3,098 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Gore finished with 1,206 yards from scrimmage to extend his NFL record to 12 consecutive seasons with at least 1,200-plus scrimmage yards. Gore also became the fifth all-time leading rusher in NFL history. TE-Jack Doyle had a career year with 80 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns en route to his first career Pro Bowl. His reception total ranked as the second-most in franchise single-season history among tight ends. Hilton compiled 966 yards and four touchdowns as he was selected to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl. Defensively, second-year ILB-Antonio Morrison led the team with 108 tackles while OLB-Jabaal Sheard paced the team with 5.5 sacks. On special teams, Vinatieri finished with 109 points. It marked the 20th time he eclipsed 100-plus points in a season which extended his league record. P-Rigoberto Sanchez ranked fourth in net punting average (42.6) and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Following the season, the team parted ways with Pagano and hired Frank Reich to serve as the team's new head coach.
In 2018, the Colts became the third team in NFL history to start a season 1-5 and make the playoffs, finishing the year 10-6. Indianapolis defeated the Houston Texans in an AFC Wild Card Playoff contest before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC Divisional Playoff matchup the following week. It was the team's first appearance in the playoffs dating back to 2014. Luck started all 16 games after missing the 2017 season and threw for 4,593 yards and 39 touchdowns. He was voted the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year and was named to the Pro Bowl. Hilton logged his fifth career 1,000-yard receiving season and TE-Eric Ebron caught 13 touchdowns which led all tight ends in the league. Ebron was named to his first career Pro Bowl. RB-Marlon Mack led the team in rushing with 908 yards while adding 10 total touchdowns. The Colts offensive line ranked first in the NFL with the fewest sacks allowed. The unit was led by rookie C/G-Quenton Nelson who was selected to the Pro Bowl and was named a First Team All-Pro. Defensively, rookie LB-Darius Leonard led the league in tackles with 163 while contributing with 7.0 sacks, 12.0 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and eight passes defensed. He was named a First Team All-Pro and was voted as the NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Year. DT/DE-Denico Autry led the team with 9.0 sacks and CB-Kenny Moore II led the Colts with three interceptions. Vinatieri totaled 113 points and became the NFL's all-time leading point scorer. Reich was named the AFC Coach of the Year by the NFL 101 Committee and Ballard was named the Executive of the Year by the PFWA.
In 2019, the Colts finished with a 7-9 record. For the second consecutive year, C/G-Quenton Nelson (first team) and LB-Darius Leonard (second team) were selected to the Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team. Nelson, Leonard and C-Ryan Kelly were all selected to the Pro Bowl as well. Following Andrew Luck's retirement in August, QB-Jacoby Brissett started 15 games and threw for 2,942 yards and 18 touchdowns for an 88.0 passer rating. RB-Marlon Mack contributed with his first 1,000-yard rushing season and WRs-T.Y. Hilton and Zach Pascal each recorded five touchdown receptions. Defensively, LB-Anthony Walker led the team in tackles with 123 while free agent signee DE-Justin Houston paced the team in sacks with 11.0.
In 67 years of National Football League competition, the Colts have achieved a 546-492-7 record, including four world championships and 21 conference or division titles.
