2023 Indianapolis Colts season

The 2023 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 71st season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 40th in Indianapolis. It was also their seventh under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard and the first under new head coach Shane Steichen. Despite low expectations, the Colts improved on their 4–12–1 record from the previous season after a Week 10 victory over the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, and more than doubled their wins from the previous year, and finished with a 9–8 record. Unable to win the AFC South for the 9th consecutive season, they were eliminated from playoff contention in the final week of the season for the second time in three seasons after a loss to the Houston Texans.

2023 Indianapolis Colts season
OwnerJim Irsay
General managerChris Ballard
Head coachShane Steichen
Home fieldLucas Oil Stadium
Results
Record9–8
Division place3rd AFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersG Quenton Nelson
C Ryan Kelly
DT DeForest Buckner
QB Gardner Minshew
Uniform

Draft

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2023 Indianapolis Colts Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
14Anthony RichardsonQBFlorida
235Traded to Las Vegas
44JuJu BrentsCBKansas StateFrom Atlanta
379Josh DownsWRNorth CarolinaFrom Washington
4106Blake FreelandOTBYU
110Adetomiwa AdebaworeDTNorthwesternFrom Atlanta
5138Darius RushCBSouth Carolina
141Traded to Minnesota
158Daniel ScottSCaliforniaFrom Minnesota
162Will MalloryTEMiamiFrom Buffalo
176Evan HullRBNorthwesternCompensatory pick; From Dallas
6211Titus LeoOLBWagnerFrom Minnesota
7221Jaylon JonesCBTexas A&M
236Jake WittOTNorthern MichiganFrom Tampa Bay
2023 Undrafted Free Agents
PositionPlayerCollege
LBLiam AndersonHoly Cross
WRCody ChrestSam Houston
CBCole ColemanElon
GEmil Ekiyor Jr.Alabama
RBZavier ScottMaine
SMichael TutsieNorth Dakota State
QBKyle VantreaseGeorgia Southern

Staff

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2023 Indianapolis Colts staff

Front office

  • Owner/CEO – Jim Irsay
  • Vice chairman/co-owner – Carlie Irsay-Gordon
  • Vice chairman/co-owner – Casey Foyt
  • Vice chairman/co-owner – Kalen Jackson
  • General manager – Chris Ballard
  • Assistant general manager – Ed Dodds
  • Director of player personnel – Kevin Rogers Jr.
  • Director of football administration – Mike Bluem
  • Chief personnel executive – Morocco Brown
  • Director of pro scouting – Jon Shaw
  • Director of college scouting – Matt Terpening
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Jamie Moore
  • Senior player personnel scout – Todd Vasvari

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Gus Bradley
  • Defensive line – Nate Ollie
  • Assistant defensive line – Matt Raich
  • Linebackers/run game coordinator – Richard Smith
  • Assistant linebackers – Cato June
  • Defensive backs – Ron Milus
  • Assistant defensive backs – Mike Mitchell
  • Defensive assistant – Payton McCollum
  • Defensive quality control - Brent Jackson

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Director of sports performance – Rusty Jones
  • Head strength and conditioning – Richard Howell
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Zane Fakes
  • Applied sports science/conditioning – Doug McKenney
  • Functional movement therapist/conditioning – Sam Khym

Final roster

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2023 Indianapolis Colts final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active (+1 exempt), 13 inactive, 16 practice squad (+5 exempt)

Preseason

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The Colts opened their 2023 preseason with a 23–19 loss to the Buffalo Bills on August 12, 2023. Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall selection in the 2023 NFL draft, started the game, completing seven of his 12 passes for 67 yards while being intercepted once. He was also credited with two carries for seven yards. Three days later, Richardson was named the team's starter for the regular season by first-year head coach Shane Steichen.

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1August 12at Buffalo BillsL 19–230–1Highmark StadiumRecap
2August 19Chicago BearsW 24–171–1Lucas Oil StadiumRecap
3August 24at Philadelphia EaglesW 27–132–1Lincoln Financial FieldRecap

Regular season

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Schedule

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WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1September 10Jacksonville JaguarsL 21–310–1Lucas Oil StadiumRecap
2September 17at Houston TexansW 31–201–1NRG StadiumRecap
3September 24at Baltimore RavensW 22–19 (OT)2–1M&T Bank StadiumRecap
4October 1Los Angeles RamsL 23–29 (OT)2–2Lucas Oil StadiumRecap
5October 8Tennessee TitansW 23–163–2Lucas Oil StadiumRecap
6October 15at Jacksonville JaguarsL 20–373–3EverBank StadiumRecap
7October 22Cleveland BrownsL 38–393–4Lucas Oil StadiumRecap
8October 29New Orleans SaintsL 27–383–5Lucas Oil StadiumRecap
9November 5at Carolina PanthersW 27–134–5Bank of America StadiumRecap
10November 12at New England PatriotsW 10–65–5 Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt)Recap
11Bye
12November 26Tampa Bay BuccaneersW 27–206–5Lucas Oil StadiumRecap
13December 3at Tennessee TitansW 31–28 (OT)7–5Nissan StadiumRecap
14December 10at Cincinnati BengalsL 14–347–6Paycor StadiumRecap
15December 16Pittsburgh SteelersW 30–138–6Lucas Oil StadiumRecap
16December 24at Atlanta FalconsL 10–298–7Mercedes-Benz StadiumRecap
17December 31Las Vegas RaidersW 23–209–7Lucas Oil StadiumRecap
18January 6Houston TexansL 19–239–8Lucas Oil StadiumRecap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

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Week 1: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

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Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Jaguars7731431
Colts0714021

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

With the loss, the Colts started their season at 0–1. The Colts have failed to win in Week 1 for the 10th straight season.

Week 2: at Houston Texans

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Week 2: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts14143031
Texans7301020

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Week 3: at Baltimore Ravens

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Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period1234OTTotal
Colts01036322
Ravens7075019

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

With the upset victory over the Ravens, the Colts picked up their second win of the season, improving to 2-1. By successfully kicking four field goals of a distance of 50 yards or greater (54, 53, 53, 53) in a single game, Matt Gay became the first kicker in NFL history to accomplish the feat.

Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams

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Week 4: Los Angeles Rams at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234OTTotal
Rams14630629
Colts00815023

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: October 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 65,337
  • Referee: Land Clark
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Despite the Colts' comeback that made the game go into overtime, it was not enough, as they lost to the Rams 29–23. With the loss, the Colts evened their record at 2–2.

Week 5: vs. Tennessee Titans

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Week 5: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Titans3310016
Colts737623

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Quarterback Anthony Richardson was placed on the injured reserve after he suffered an AC joint injury in this game, rendering him unable to play in the next four games at minimum. However, the Colts were still able to pull out a victory.

Week 6: at Jacksonville Jaguars

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Week 6: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts3301420
Jaguars02110637

at EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: October 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,851
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Amanda Renner
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Colts had their ninth consecutive loss in Jacksonville.

Week 7: vs. Cleveland Browns

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Week 7: Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Browns7203939
Colts14771038

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Week 8: vs. New Orleans Saints

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Week 8: New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Saints71471038
Colts7130727

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Week 9: at Carolina Panthers

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Week 9: Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts0200727
Panthers037313

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Week 10: at New England Patriots

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NFL Germany games

Week 10: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts700310
Patriots30036

at Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany

Game information

The Colts beat the Patriots on the road for the first time since winning Super Bowl XLI.

Week 12: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Week 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Buccaneers3701020
Colts1073727

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: November 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 64,407
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Amanda Renner
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 13: at Tennessee Titans

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Week 13: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Period1234OTTotal
Colts7693631
Titans10726328

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

The Colts erased a 17-7 deficit and beat the Titans 31-28 in overtime, sweeping them for the first time since 2018.

Week 14: at Cincinnati Bengals

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Week 14: Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts0140014
Bengals7714634

at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

The Colts suffered their 4th consecutive loss in Cincinnati, and haven't won there since 2005.

Week 15: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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Week 15: Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Steelers670013
Colts01410630

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

The Colts erased a 13-0 deficit and upset the Steelers. It was their first win against the Steelers since 2008, and their first home win against them since 2005.

Week 16: at Atlanta Falcons

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Week 16: Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period1234Total
Colts703010
Falcons767929

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

The Colts lost to the Falcons for the first time since 2011, and lost their first game at Atlanta since 1998.

Week 17: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

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Week 17: Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Raiders3071020
Colts773623

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: December 31
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 65,538
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan and AJ Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Colts beat the Raiders at home for the first time since 2013 when the Raiders were based in Oakland.

Week 18: vs. Houston Texans

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Week 18: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Texans773623
Colts338519

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

The Colts extended their home losing streak to the Texans to 2 games.

Standings

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Division

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AFC South
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(4) Houston Texans1070.5884–27–5377353W2
Jacksonville Jaguars980.5294–26–6377371L1
Indianapolis Colts980.5293–37–5396415L1
Tennessee Titans6110.3531–54–8305367W1

Conference

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#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOVSTK
Division leaders
1Baltimore RavensNorth1340.7653–38–4.543.529L1
2[a][b]Buffalo BillsEast1160.6474–27–5.471.471W5
3[a]Kansas City ChiefsWest1160.6474–29–3.481.428W2
4Houston TexansSouth1070.5884–27–5.474.465W2
Wild cards
5[c]Cleveland BrownsNorth1160.6473–38–4.536.513L1
6[b][c]Miami DolphinsEast1160.6474–27–5.450.358L2
7Pittsburgh SteelersNorth1070.5885–17–5.540.571W3
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[d]Cincinnati BengalsNorth980.5291–54–8.574.536W1
9[d][e]Jacksonville JaguarsSouth980.5294–26–6.533.477L1
10[e]Indianapolis ColtsSouth980.5293–37–5.491.444L1
11[f]Las Vegas RaidersWest890.4714–26–6.488.426W1
12[f]Denver BroncosWest890.4713–35–7.488.485L1
13New York JetsEast7100.4122–44–8.502.454W1
14Tennessee TitansSouth6110.3531–54–8.522.422W1
15Los Angeles ChargersWest5120.2941–53–9.529.388L5
16New England PatriotsEast4130.2352–44–8.522.529L2
Tiebreakers[g]
  1. ^ a b Buffalo finished ahead of Kansas City based on head-to-head victory.
  2. ^ a b Buffalo finished ahead of Miami based on head-to-head sweep.
  3. ^ a b Cleveland finished ahead of Miami based on conference record.
  4. ^ a b Cincinnati finished ahead of Jacksonville based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Indianapolis (see below).
  5. ^ a b Jacksonville finished ahead of Indianapolis based on head-to-head sweep.
  6. ^ a b Las Vegas finished ahead of Denver based on head-to-head sweep.
  7. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

References

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