The 2016 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 64th in the National Football League (NFL), their 33rd in Indianapolis, and their ninth playing their home games at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts matched their 8âÂÂ8 record from 2015, but missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1997âÂÂ1998. This season also saw the Colts swept by the Houston Texans for the first time in franchise history. As a result, the Colts fired general manager Ryan Grigson after five seasons with the team, although head coach Chuck Pagano returned the next year.
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Notes
On February 16, the NFL announced that the Colts would play the Green Bay Packers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. The game would have occurred on Sunday, August 7, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, but the game was cancelled due to field conditions. However, the two teams met during the regular season in Green Bay.
The remainder of the Colts' preseason opponents and schedule were later announced on April 7.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Andrew Luck would march the Colts down the field and score with 39 seconds remaining, but the Lions were able to pull out the win on a field goal by Matt Prater with 4 seconds left. The Colts would try the lateral play on the ensuing kickoff, but it would result in a safety. With the loss, the Colts started 0âÂÂ1.
It was only a 3âÂÂ3 game at the end of 1 quarter before CJ Anderson scored a 4-yard touchdown to take a 7-point lead. The teams would trade field goals to end the half with a 13âÂÂ6 advantage for the Broncos. Robert Turbin would score a touchdown from 5 yards out to tie the game at 13. But from there, it was basically all Denver. Indy was outscored 21âÂÂ7 after Turbin's touchdown, including a pick six by Aqib Talib and a scoop and score by Shane Ray off a Von Miller strip sack of Andrew Luck. Brandon McManus would also kick two field goals in that stretch as the Broncos advanced to 2âÂÂ0 and the Colts fell to 0âÂÂ2.
Although the Colts took an early lead in the first quarter, the Chargers kept the game close and a Josh Lambo field goal put them ahead midway through the fourth quarter; however, a 63-yard pass from Andrew Luck to T. Y. Hilton restored the Colts' advantage with less than a minute remaining, giving them their first win of the season. With the win, the Colts improved to 1âÂÂ2.
NFL International Series With the loss, the Colts fell to 1âÂÂ3.
With the win, the Colts improved to 2âÂÂ3.
The Colts led 23âÂÂ9 with less than three minutes to play, but a comeback by the Texans forced overtime, where they would win on a field goal. With the loss, the Colts fell to 2âÂÂ4.
With the win, the Colts improved to 3âÂÂ4. They also picked up their 10th straight win over the Titans.
In a rematch of the 2013 wildcard game, the Chiefs blew out the Colts easily, 30âÂÂ14. With the loss, the Colts fell to 3âÂÂ5.
This was the Colts' first victory at Lambeau Field since 1988.
With their 11th straight win over the Titans, the Colts improved to 5âÂÂ5.
Quarterback Andrew Luck did not play due to a concussion, and his replacement Scott Tolzien was unable to prevent a 28âÂÂ7 defeat, although he did throw a five-yard touchdown pass to Donte Moncrief early in the second quarter.
With the win, the Colts evened their record at 6âÂÂ6.
With the loss, the Colts fell to 6âÂÂ7 and were swept by the Texans for the first time in franchise history.
With the win, the Colts improved to 7âÂÂ7 and remained just in the thick of the playoff race.
With the loss, the Colts fell to 7âÂÂ8 and were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the second year in a row.
The Jaguars took a 17âÂÂ0 lead during the second quarter, but the Colts were able to pull it back to 17âÂÂ17 as the game moved into its final period. The Jaguars regained the lead with a 41-yard Jason Myers field goal inside the two-minute warning, but Andrew Luck led the Colts on a 75-yard drive that culminated with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jack Doyle with four seconds remaining. With the win, the Colts ended their year 8âÂÂ8 and snapped their two-game losing streak against the Jaguars.