The 2018 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 66th in the National Football League (NFL), their 35th in Indianapolis, and their 11th playing their home games at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was also their first season under head coach Frank Reich and second under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard. Despite a 1âÂÂ5 start, the Colts managed to improve on their injury-plagued 4âÂÂ12 campaign from the year prior with a 38âÂÂ10 victory over the Tennessee Titans, and a 5-game winning streak. On Week 16, the Colts achieved their first winning season since 2014 with a 28âÂÂ27 win against the New York Giants. The next week, they beat the Tennessee Titans in a win or go home match-up to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and became the third team in NFL history to qualify for the playoffs after a 1âÂÂ5 start and first since the 2015 Chiefs.
In the wild-card round, the Colts defeated the Houston Texans 21âÂÂ7, but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round 31âÂÂ13, ending their season. To date, this is the most recent season the Colts have won a playoff game.
This would be the last season that the Colts would have franchise quarterback Andrew Luck, as he would retire following the season, citing his continuous struggle with injuries and no longer enjoying the game.
On December 31, 2017, the Colts parted ways with head coach Chuck Pagano, who had led the team for six seasons. After two interviews, it was widely reported that the Colts would hire New England Patriots' offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to replace him, after McDaniels fulfilled his obligations to the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. The Colts announced on the team website that they had agreed to terms with McDaniels and scheduled a press conference with McDaniels for February 5, 2018. However, one day later, McDaniels unexpectedly withdrew from the agreement in principle to become the Colts' head coach. On February 11, 2018, after interviewing multiple candidates, including Leslie Frazier and Dan Campbell, the Colts announced the hiring of Frank Reich, formerly the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator.
Draft trades
The Colts' 2018 schedule was announced on April 19.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Despite leading 23âÂÂ10 in the second half, the Colts allowed the Bengals to come back and win 34âÂÂ23. While driving late in the game, Jack Doyle lost a fumble that was returned 83 yards for a touchdown, sealing the win for Cincinnati.
The loss snapped the Coltsâ eight-game home winning streak against the Bengals and marked their first home defeat to them since the 1997 season.
With the win, the Colts evened their record at 1-1.
In a rain-filled affair, the Colts were unable to nurse a late lead, as they lost to the defending champion Eagles 20-16 and fell to 1âÂÂ2.
In a shootout, the Texans were able to pull it out in overtime, winning 37âÂÂ34, as the Colts fell to 1âÂÂ3.
The Colts were seeking their first road win over the Patriots since their 2006 Super Bowl-winning season.
This would be Andrew Luck's last game in the NFL, as he retired before the commencement of the 2019 NFL season.