1987 Indianapolis Colts season

1987 Indianapolis Colts season
OwnerRobert Irsay
General managerJim Irsay
Head coachRon Meyer
Home stadiumHoosier Dome
Results
Record9–6
Division place1st AFC East
PlayoffsLost Divisional Playoffs
(at Browns) 21–38
All-Pros
Pro Bowlers

The 1987 Indianapolis Colts season was the 35th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL) and fourth in Indianapolis. It was also their first full season under head coach Ron Meyer, who had taken over a 0–13 Colts team the previous season after Rod Dowhower was fired.

The team finished the strike-shortened season with a record of 9–6 and won the AFC East division.

This season marked the first winning season, division championship, and playoff appearance for the Colts since 1977, when they were still in Baltimore.

NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled Off and Running; it was narrated by Jeff Kaye.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1987 NFL draft
1987 Indianapolis Colts Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 2 Cornelius Bennett LB Alabama
2 30 Choice to Washington
3 58 Chris Gambol OG Iowa
4 85 Randy Dixon OG Pittsburgh
5 114 Roy Banks WR Eastern Illinois
6 142 Freddie Robinson DB Alabama
7 170 Mark Bellini WR Brigham Young
8 197 Choice to Tampa Bay
200
(Choice from Buffalo) 		Chuckie Miller DB UCLA
9 225 Choice to N.Y. Giants
247
(Choice from Cleveland) 		Bob Ontko LB Penn State
10 253 Chris Goode DB Alabama
11 281 Jim Reynosa DE Arizona State
12 309 David Adams RB Arizona

Personnel

Front Office / Coaches

1987 Indianapolis Colts staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator – John Becker
  • Running backs – Leon Burtnett
  • Receivers – Chip Myers
  • Offensive assistant / Research and Development – Greg Briner
 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams / Assistant Offensive Line – Brad Seely

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Tom Zupancic

NFL replacement players

After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:

1987 Indianapolis Colts replacement roster

Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Final roster

1987 Indianapolis Colts roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Reserve

Rookies in italics

Pre season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Time TV Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 August 15 at Detroit Lions 7:00 p.m. EST WTHR W 22–19 1–0 Pontiac Silverdome
45,753
2 August 22 at Minnesota Vikings 7:00 p.m. EST WTHR L 19–37 1–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
49,304
3 August 29 Houston Oilers 7:30 p.m. EST WTHR W 17–6 2–1 Hoosier Dome
51,975
4 September 5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7:30 p.m. EST WTHR W 23–6 3–1 Hoosier Dome
50,111

Game summaries

Week P1: at Detroit Lions

Preseason Week 1: Indianapolis Colts at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 3 10 2722
Lions 0 13 6019

at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan

  • Date: August 15
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game attendance: 45,753
  • TV announcers (WTHR): Don Hein (play-by-play) and Darrel Burnett (color commentator)

Week P2: at Minnesota Vikings

Preseason Week 2: Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 3 10 0013
Vikings 3 17 71037

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: August 22, 1987
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT/6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 49,304
  • TV announcers (WTHR): Don Hein (play-by-play) and Darrel Burnett (color commentator)

Week P3: vs. Houston Oilers

Preseason Week 3: Houston Oilers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Oilers 6 0 006
Colts 0 3 14017

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: August 29
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game attendance: 51,975
  • TV announcers (WTHR): Don Hein (play-by-play) and Darrel Burnett (color commentator)

Week P4: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Preseason Week 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 6 10 0016
Colts 3 20 0023

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: September 5
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game attendance: 50,111
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (WTHR): Don Hein (play-by-play) and Darrel Burnett (color commentator)

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 13 Cincinnati Bengals L 21–23 0–1 Hoosier Dome 59,387 Recap
2 September 20, 1987 Miami Dolphins L 10–23 0–2 Hoosier Dome 57,524 Recap
3 September 27 at St. Louis Cardinals Canceled [3] 0–2 Busch Stadium
4 October 4 at Buffalo Bills W 47–6 1–2 Rich Stadium 9,860 Recap
5 October 11 New York Jets W 6–0 2–2 Hoosier Dome 34,927 Recap
6 October 18 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 7–21 2–3 Three Rivers Stadium 34,627 Recap
7 October 25 New England Patriots W 30–16 3–3 Hoosier Dome 48,850 Recap
8 November 1 at New York Jets W 19–14 4–3 Giants Stadium 60,863 Recap
9 November 8 San Diego Chargers L 13–16 4–4 Hoosier Dome 60,459 Recap
10 November 15 at Miami Dolphins W 40–21 5–4 Joe Robbie Stadium 65,433 Recap
11 November 22 at New England Patriots L 0–24 5–5 Sullivan Stadium 56,906 Recap
12 November 29 Houston Oilers W 51–27 6–5 Hoosier Dome 54,999 Recap
13 December 6 at Cleveland Browns W 9–7 7–5 Cleveland Stadium 70,661 Recap
14 December 13 Buffalo Bills L 3–27 7–6 Hoosier Dome 60,253 Recap
15 December 20 at San Diego Chargers W 20–7 8–6 Jack Murphy Stadium 46,211 Recap
16 December 27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 24–6 9–6 Hoosier Dome 60,468 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bengals 13 0 01023
Colts 7 0 7721

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 2: Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 9 7023
Colts 0 7 3010

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (Played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 57,524
  • Referee: Fred Wyant
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Dave Casper
  • [6][7]
Game information

Week 4: at Buffalo Bills

[8]

Week 4: Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 21 19047
Bills 0 0 066

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C); relative humidity 62%; wind 13 miles per hour (21 km/h; 11 kn)
  • Game attendance: 9,860
  • Referee: Dick Hantak
  • TV announcers (NBC): Sam Nover (play-by-play) and Dave Casper (color commentator)
  • [9]
Team Category Player Statistics
IND Passing Gary Hogeboom 17/25, 259 YDS, 5 TDs
Rushing Chuck Banks 16 CAR, 69 YDS
Receiving Walter Murray 7 REC, 161 YDS, 2 TDs
BUF Passing Willie Totten 4/12, 71 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing Johnny Shepherd 7 CAR, 38 YDS
Receiving Sheldon Gaines 6 REC, 98 YDS

Week 5: vs. New York Jets

[10]

Week 5: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jets 0 0 000
Colts 0 3 306

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Team Category Player Statistics
NYJ Passing David Norrie 17/35, 163 YDS, 3 INTs
Rushing Dennis Bligen 12 CAR, 35 YDS
Receiving Michael Harper 5 REC, 56 YDS
IND Passing Gary Hogeboom 15/28, 115 YDS, 1 TDs
Rushing Chuck Banks 25 CAR, 159 YDS
Receiving Chuck Banks 5 REC, 22 YDS

Week 6: at Pittsburgh Steelers

[12]

Week 6: Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 7 007
Steelers 7 0 01421

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C); relative humidity 62%; wind 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h; 5.2 kn) (Scattered Clouds)
  • Game attendance: 34,627
  • Referee: Tom Dooley
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Sam Rutigliano (color commentator)
  • [13]
Team Category Player Statistics
IND Passing Blair Kiel 17/30, 195 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing Gordon Brown 9 CAR, 32 YDS
Receiving Mark Bellini 5 REC, 69 YDS
PIT Passing Steve Bono 11/23, 138 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Earnest Jackson 24 CAR, 134 YDS
Receiving John Stallworth 5 REC, 54 YDS, 1 TD

Week 7: vs. New England Patriots

[14]

Week 7: New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 3 3 7316
Colts 0 10 13730

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 48,850
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (NBC): Kevin Slaten (play-by-play) and Reggie Rucker (color commentator)
  • [15]
Team Category Player Statistics
NE Passing Tony Eason 22/42, 246 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Mosi Tatupu 12 CAR, 39 YDS
Receiving Stanley Morgan 7 REC, 102 YDS, 1 TD
IND Passing Jack Trudeau 17/28, 239 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing Albert Bentley 16 CAR, 65 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Albert Bentley 4 REC, 53 YDS

Week 8: at New York Jets

[16]

Week 8: Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 3 7 3619
Jets 0 7 0714

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C); relative humidity 62%; wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
  • Game attendance: 60,863
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Joe Namath (color commentator)
  • [17]
Team Category Player Statistics
IND Passing Jack Trudeau 14/23, 192 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing Albert Bentley 29 CAR, 145 YDS
Receiving Pat Beach 4 REC, 31 YDS
NYJ Passing Ken O'Brien 15/29, 174 YDS, 1 INT
Rushing Johnny Hector 5 CAR, 37 YDS, 2 TDs
Receiving Al Toon 7 REC, 79 YDS

On October 31, the Los Angeles Rams traded Eric Dickerson to the Indianapolis Colts in a three team trade involving the Buffalo Bills. The Rams sent Dickerson to the Colts for six draft choices and two players. Buffalo obtained the rights to Cornelius Bennett from Indianapolis. Buffalo sent running back Greg Bell and three draft choices to the Rams, while Indianapolis added Owen Gill and three of their own draft picks to complete the deal with the Rams.[18]

Week 9: vs. San Diego Chargers

[19]

Week 9: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 0 61016
Colts 3 10 0013

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Team Category Player Statistics
SD Passing Dan Fouts 16/30, 214 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing Curtis Adams 13 CAR, 52 YDS
Receiving Wes Chandler 4 REC, 73 YDS
IND Passing Jack Trudeau 12/18, 127 YDS
Rushing Eric Dickerson 35 CAR, 138 YDS
Receiving Matt Bouza 3 REC, 53 YDS

Week 10: at Miami Dolphins

[21]

Week 10: Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 13 31740
Dolphins 14 7 0021

at Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C); relative humidity 76%; wind 14 miles per hour (23 km/h; 12 kn) (Scattered Clouds)
  • Game attendance: 65,433
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
  • [22]
Team Category Player Statistics
IND Passing Gary Hogeboom 22/37, 218 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing Eric Dickerson 30 CAR, 154 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Matt Bouza 5 REC, 61 YDS
MIA Passing Dan Marino 14/34, 194 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Troy Stradford 8 CAR, 28 YDS
Receiving Tony Nathan 4 REC, 31 YDS

Week 11: at New England Patriots

[23]

Week 11: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 0 000
Patriots 0 10 14024

at Sullivan Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 24 °F (−4 °C); relative humidity 44%; wind 33 miles per hour (53 km/h; 29 kn); wind chill 9 °F (−13 °C) (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 56,906
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
  • [24]
Team Category Player Statistics
IND Passing Gary Hogeboom 10/20, 122 YDS, 3 INTs
Rushing Eric Dickerson 27 CAR, 117 YDS
Receiving Bill Brooks 5 REC, 72 YDS
NE Passing Tom Ramsey 12/26, 183 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing Bob Perryman 10 CAR, 73 YDS
Receiving Stanley Morgan 5 REC, 102 YDS

Week 12: vs. Houston Oilers

[25]

Week 12: Houston Oilers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Oilers 0 10 71027
Colts 7 21 32051

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 54,009
  • Referee: Bob Frederic
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Michael Jackson (color commentator)
  • [26]
Team Category Player Statistics
HOU Passing Warren Moon 24/44, 327 YDS, 3 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Mike Rozier 26 CAR, 122 YDS
Receiving Drew Hill 7 REC, 134 YDS, 2 TDs
IND Passing Gary Hogeboom 8/15, 149 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing Eric Dickerson 27 CAR, 136 YDS, 2 TDs
Receiving Matt Bouza 3 REC, 29 YDS, 1 TD

Week 13: at Cleveland Browns

[27]

Week 13: Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 9 009
Browns 0 0 707

at Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 32 °F (0 °C); relative humidity 74%; wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn); wind chill 26 °F (−3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,661
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Jimmy Cefalo (color commentator)
  • [28]
Team Category Player Statistics
IND Passing Jack Trudeau 20/34, 192 YDS
Rushing Eric Dickerson 27 CAR, 98 YDS
Receiving Bill Brooks 7 REC, 85 YDS
CLE Passing Bernie Kosar 16/35, 178 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing Kevin Mack 16 CAR, 61 YDS
Receiving Webster Slaughter 4 REC, 56 YDS

Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills

[29]

Week 14: Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 7 6 01427
Colts 0 3 003

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 60,253
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Dave Lapham (color commentator)
  • [30]
Team Category Player Statistics
BUF Passing Jim Kelly 18/34, 167 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing Ronnie Harmon 18 CAR, 85 YDS
Receiving Chris Burkett 4 REC, 62 YDS
IND Passing Jack Trudeau 6/15, 78 YDS, 2 INTs
Rushing Eric Dickerson 11 CAR, 19 YDS
Receiving Bill Brooks 5 REC, 55 YDS

Week 15: at San Diego Chargers

[31]

Week 15: Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 6 0720
Chargers 7 0 007

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST/1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C); relative humidity 80%; wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
  • Game attendance: 46,211
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Paul Maguire (color commentator)
  • [32]
Team Category Player Statistics
IND Passing Jack Trudeau 20/39, 201 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing Eric Dickerson 23 CAR, 115 YDS
Receiving Matt Bouza 5 REC, 35 YDS
SD Passing Dan Fouts 22/37, 257 YDS, 3 INTs
Rushing Curtis Adams 7 CAR, 26 YDS
Receiving Gary Anderson 7 REC, 68 YDS

Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[33]

Week 16: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 3 0 036
Colts 7 3 7724

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Team Category Player Statistics
TB Passing
Rushing
Receiving
IND Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Standings

AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) 9 6 0 .600 5–3 8–6 300 238 W2
New England Patriots 8 7 0 .533 6–2 8–4 320 293 W3
Miami Dolphins 8 7 0 .533 2–6 5–7 362 335 L1
Buffalo Bills 7 8 0 .467 4–4 6–6 270 305 L2
New York Jets 6 9 0 .400 3–5 6–5 334 360 L4

Playoffs

See also: 1987–88 NFL playoffs
Playoff Round Date Opponent (seed) Time TV Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap
Wild Card First-round Bye
Divisional January 9 at Cleveland Browns (2) 12:30 p.m. EST NBC L 21–38 0–1 Cleveland Stadium
78,586
 Recap

Game summaries

AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (A2) Cleveland Browns

AFC Divisional Playoffs: Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 7 0721
Browns 7 7 71738

at Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

See also

References

  1. ^ "1987 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "1987 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. ^ The 24-day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15, causing week 3 to be canceled.
  4. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  5. ^ Pro Football Reference; Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – September 13, 1987
  6. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  7. ^ Pro Football Reference; Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts – September 20, 1987
  8. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  9. ^ Pro Football Reference; Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – October 4, 1987
  10. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  11. ^ Pro Football Reference; New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – October 11, 1987
  12. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  13. ^ Pro Football Reference; Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 18, 1987
  14. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  15. ^ Pro Football Reference; New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts – October 25, 1987
  16. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  17. ^ Pro Football Reference; Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets – November 1, 1987
  18. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p.286
  19. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  20. ^ Pro Football Reference; San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts – November 8, 1987
  21. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  22. ^ Pro Football Reference; Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins – November 15, 1987
  23. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  24. ^ Pro Football Reference; Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – November 22, 1987
  25. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  26. ^ Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Indianapolis Colts – November 29, 1987
  27. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  28. ^ Pro Football Reference; Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns – December 6, 1987
  29. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  30. ^ Pro Football Reference; Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts – December 13, 1987
  31. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  32. ^ Pro Football Reference; Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers – December 20, 1987
  33. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Sep-07.
  34. ^ Pro Football Reference; Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts – December 27, 1987
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