The 2021 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 69th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 38th in Indianapolis, and their 14th playing their home games at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was their fourth season under head coach Frank Reich and fifth under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard. Despite having 7 Pro Bowlers and 5 AP All-Pros, the Colts failed to improve upon their 11âÂÂ5 record from the previous season, after a Week 12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Colts were eliminated from the postseason in the final week of the season after a stunning loss to the 2âÂÂ14 Jacksonville Jaguars and the Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Baltimore Ravens the same day.
Pre-draft trades
The Colts' preseason opponents and results are mentioned as below:
The Colts' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
With their 8th straight season-opening defeat, the Colts started 0âÂÂ1.
With the loss, the Colts started 0âÂÂ2 for the first time since 2017.
With this loss, the Colts started 0âÂÂ3 for the first time since 2011.
With their first win of the season, the Colts improved to 1âÂÂ3.
Despite leading by as many as 19 points late in the third quarter and by 16 points midway through the fourth quarter, the Colts collapsed and were defeated in overtime after allowing 3 consecutive touchdown drives. With the heartbreaking loss, the Colts fell to 1âÂÂ4.
The Colts recorded their third consecutive win over the Texans, and improved to 2âÂÂ4.
The Colts dominated the 49ers on the road. Carson Wentz scored 3 total touchdowns and the defense forced four turnovers against the 49ers' offense. With the win, the Colts improved to 3âÂÂ4.
The Colts blew another large lead and were defeated by the Titans in overtime after two costly interceptions from Wentz. With the loss, the Colts fell to 3âÂÂ5 and were swept by the Titans for the first time since 2002.
This was the first NFL game that ended in a 45–30 score, making a scorigami. The win improved the Colts to 4âÂÂ5.
With their fourth consecutive home win over the Jaguars, the Colts improved to 5âÂÂ5.
This was the Colts' second scorigami of the season, as a 41âÂÂ15 score had never occurred in the NFL before. Arguably the team's most impressive win of the season, Jonathan Taylor dominated Buffalo's defense with 5 total touchdowns, improving the Colts to 6âÂÂ5 and over .500 for the first time all season.
The Colts blew a 10-point lead and turned the ball over five times, dropping them to 6âÂÂ6.
With their fourth straight win over the Texans, and first shutout win since 2018, the Colts improved to 7âÂÂ6 heading into their bye week.
With the win, the Colts improved to 8âÂÂ6 and beat the Patriots for the first time since Week 10 of the 2009 season.
The Colts overcame several injuries and positive COVID-19 tests on their offensive line and defensive backfield to defeat the skidding Cardinals, improving them to 9âÂÂ6 and putting them on the cusp of clinching a playoff berth.
With this loss, the Colts fell to 9âÂÂ7 and were prevented from clinching a playoff berth this week.
In a shocking fashion, the Colts were upset by the 2âÂÂ14 Jaguars thus ending their playoff hopes, as the Steelers won later that day.