2004 Indianapolis Colts season
2004 Indianapolis Colts season | |
---|---|
Owner | Jim Irsay |
General manager | Bill Polian |
Head coach | Tony Dungy |
Home field | RCA Dome |
Results | |
Record | 12–4 |
Division place | 1st AFC South |
Playoff finish | Won Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Broncos) 49–24 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Patriots) 3–20 |
Pro Bowlers | QB Peyton Manning RB Edgerrin James WR Marvin Harrison OT Tarik Glenn DE Dwight Freeney |
Uniform | |
The 2004 Indianapolis Colts season was the 52nd season for the team in the National Football League (NFL) and 21st in Indianapolis. The 2004 Colts season began with the team trying to maintain or improve on their 12–4 record from 2003, and advance further into the playoffs. The Colts finished the season 12–4, and defeated the Denver Broncos for the second straight time in the playoffs, but they were halted in the Divisional round by the defending and eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, their second straight loss in the playoffs to them.
Peyton Manning had one of the best seasons ever by an NFL quarterback (and the best season of his Indianapolis career), throwing 49 touchdown passes and breaking the previous record of 48 held by Dan Marino. At season's end, Peyton Manning was named the NFL MVP. For the season the Colts set an NFL record with 51 total touchdown passes. The Colts led the NFL with 522 points scored. The Colts tallied more points in the first half of each of their games of the 2004 season (277 points) than seven other NFL teams managed in the entire season.[1]
Despite throwing 49 touchdown passes, Peyton Manning attempted fewer than 500 passes for the first time in his NFL career.[2] Sports statistics site Football Outsiders calculates that Manning had the best-ever season by a quarterback, play-for-play, in 2004.[3][4]
The 2004 Colts are the only team in NFL history to convert five or more passing touchdowns in a game four different times during the regular season.[5]
Offseason
Free Agency
During Free Agency, the Colts failed to re-sign linebacker Marcus Washington and cornerback Walt Harris. Both signed with the Washington Redskins in free agency.
NFL Draft
2004 Indianapolis Colts draft | |||||
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 44 | Bob Sanders * | Safety | Iowa | from Pittsburgh |
3 | 68 | Ben Hartsock | Tight end | Ohio State | from Cleveland |
3 | 69 | Gilbert Gardner | Linebacker | Purdue | from Atlanta |
4 | 107 | Kendyll Pope | Linebacker | Florida State | from Pittsburgh |
4 | 125 | Jason David | Cornerback | Washington State | from Philadelphia via Atlanta |
5 | 141 | Jake Scott | Guard | Idaho | from Cleveland |
6 | 173 | Von Hutchins | Cornerback | Mississippi | from Cleveland |
6 | 193 | Jim Sorgi | Quarterback | Wisconsin | |
7 | 229 | David Kimball | Kicker | Penn State | from St Louis |
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career |
Undrafted free agents
Player | Position | College |
---|---|---|
Josh Thomas | Defensive end | Syracuse |
Ben Utecht | Tight end | Minnesota |
Roster
Preseason
Date | Opponent | Result | Game Site | NFL Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|
August 14, 2004 | at San Diego Chargers | W 21–17 | Qualcomm Stadium | Recap |
August 21, 2004 | New York Jets | L 7–31 | RCA Dome | Recap |
August 28, 2004 | Buffalo Bills | W 30–17 | RCA Dome | Recap |
September 3, 2004 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 13–16 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
Regular season
Schedule
Standings
AFC South | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(3) Indianapolis Colts | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 8–4 | 522 | 351 | L1 |
Jacksonville Jaguars | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 2–4 | 6–6 | 261 | 280 | W1 |
Houston Texans | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 6–6 | 309 | 339 | L1 |
Tennessee Titans | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 3–9 | 344 | 439 | W1 |
# | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division leaders | |||||||||||
1 | Pittsburgh Steelers | North | 15 | 1 | 0 | .938 | 5–1 | 11–1 | .484 | .479 | W14 |
2 | New England Patriots | East | 14 | 2 | 0 | .875 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .492 | .478 | W2 |
3[a] | Indianapolis Colts | South | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .500 | .458 | L1 |
4[a] | San Diego Chargers | West | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .477 | .411 | W1 |
Wild cards | |||||||||||
5[b] | New York Jets | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .523 | .406 | L2 |
6[b] | Denver Broncos | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .484 | .450 | W2 |
Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
7[c][d] | Jacksonville Jaguars | South | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .527 | .479 | W1 |
8[c][d] | Baltimore Ravens | North | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .551 | .472 | W1 |
9[c] | Buffalo Bills | East | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .512 | .382 | L1 |
10 | Cincinnati Bengals | North | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .543 | .453 | W2 |
11[e] | Houston Texans | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .504 | .402 | L1 |
12[e] | Kansas City Chiefs | West | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .551 | .509 | L1 |
13[f] | Oakland Raiders | West | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .570 | .450 | L2 |
14[f] | Tennessee Titans | South | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .512 | .463 | W1 |
15[g] | Miami Dolphins | East | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | .555 | .438 | L1 |
16[g] | Cleveland Browns | North | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .590 | .469 | W1 |
Tiebreakers[h] | |||||||||||
|
Game summaries
Week 1: at New England Patriots
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 0 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
Patriots | 3 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 27 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Game time: 9:00 pm EST/8:00 pm CST
- Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), Cloudy, warm, and humid
- Game attendance: 68,756
- TV announcers: (ABC) Al Michaels, John Madden
Week 2: at Tennessee Titans
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 3 | 0 | 7 | 21 | 31 |
Titans | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Packers | 14 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
Colts | 21 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 45 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis
Week 4: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
Jaguars | 0 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 17 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: October 3
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 85°, relative humidity 62%, wind 5 mph, wind chill 0
- Game attendance: 55,770
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- [1]
Week 5: vs. Oakland Raiders
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raiders | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
Colts | 7 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis
Week 7: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jaguars | 0 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 27 |
Colts | 0 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Date: October 24
- Game time: 1:00 pm EST/12:00 pm CST
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 56,615
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- [2]
A fumble by Colts' TE Dallas Clark allowed the Jaguars to capitalize with a field goal, giving them a 16–14 lead as the fourth quarter began. In response, Manning led the Colts down the field to score a field goal, reclaiming the lead. On the subsequent drive, Leftwich connected with Smith for a 25–yard touchdown and then successfully targeted WR Ernest Wilford for a two–point conversion. The Colts quickly answered back, with Manning finding Harrison for a 39–yard touchdown that leveled the score. During the Jaguars' next possession, Leftwich completed two passes of over 10 yards, advancing into Indianapolis territory. On a 3rd–and–7, Leftwich located Wilford, which positioned the Jaguars within field goal range. K Josh Scobee then successfully converted a 53–yard field goal, allowing the Jaguars to take the lead with under a minute left in the game. With no timeouts left, the Colts were unable to mount a comeback, resulting in a 27–24 victory for the Jaguars, marking their first win in Indianapolis. This win propelled them to the top of the AFC South standings.[7][8] This would ultimately be the Colts' sole defeat in their RCA Dome that season.[9]
Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 35 |
Chiefs | 7 | 24 | 0 | 14 | 45 |
Week 9: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 0 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 28 |
Colts | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 31 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis
Week 10: vs. Houston Texans
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
Colts | 7 | 14 | 21 | 7 | 49 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis
Week 11: at Chicago Bears
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 7 | 20 | 14 | 0 | 41 |
Bears | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago
Week 12: at Detroit Lions
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 13 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 41 |
Lions | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
at Ford Field, Detroit
Week 13: vs. Tennessee Titans
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Colts | 17 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 51 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis
Week 14: at Houston Texans
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 14 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 23 |
Texans | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 3 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 20 |
Ravens | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis
Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chargers | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
Colts | 0 | 9 | 7 | 15 | 3 | 34 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis
Week 17: at Denver Broncos
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Broncos | 7 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 33 |
at Invesco Field, Denver
- Game time: 4:15 pm EST/3:15 pm CST
- Game weather: 32 °F (0 °C), Cloudy
- Game attendance: 75,149
- TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
Postseason schedule
Playoff round | Date | Opponent (seed) | Result | Record | Host stadium | NFL recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Card | January 9 | Denver Broncos (6) | W 49–24 | 1–0 | RCA Dome | Recap |
Divisional | January 16 | at New England Patriots (2) | L 3–20 | 1–1 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
Postseason results
AFC Wild-Card Playoff Game: vs. Denver Broncos
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 0 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 24 |
Colts | 14 | 21 | 0 | 14 | 49 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis
AFC Divisional Playoff game: at New England Patriots
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Patriots | 0 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
Awards and records
See also
References
- ^ Ferraro, Michael X.; Veneziano, John (2007). Numbelievable!. Chicago: Triumph Books. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-57243-990-0.
- ^ Ferraro, Michael X.; Veneziano, John (2007). Numbelievable!. Chicago: Triumph Books. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-57243-990-0.
- ^ Football Outsiders: QUARTERBACKS 2004
- ^ Football Outsiders: Final 2011 DVOA Ratings Stats calculated from 1992–2011
- ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the NFL, in the regular season, requiring Passing TD >= 5, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.
- ^ "2004 Conference Standings". NFL.com. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts - October 24th, 2004". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ "Jaguars tame the Colts". The Spokesman-Review. William Stacey Cowles. October 25, 2004. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ "Jaguars show Colts respect, but no fear". Orlando Sentinel. Paul Pham. September 18, 2005. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ Maxwell Football Club – Bert Bell Award Past Recipients Archived June 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine