1985 Indianapolis Colts season
OwnerRobert Irsay
General managerJim Irsay
Head coachRod Dowhower
Home fieldHoosier Dome
Results
Record5–11
Division place4th AFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1985 Indianapolis Colts season was the 33rd season for the team in the National Football League (NFL) and second in Indianapolis. The Colts finished the year with a record of 5 wins and 11 losses, and fourth in the AFC East division. The Colts did improve on their 4–12 record from 1984, but missed the playoffs for the 8th straight season. This season was rather sluggish, as the Colts for most of the season alternated wins and losses. After starting out mediocre at 3–5, the Colts would then lose 6 straight to sit at 3-11 before winning their last 2 games to finish 5–11. This would be the only full season for head coach Rod Dowhower, as he was fired 13 games into the following season.

Offseason

Draft

Main article: 1985 NFL Draft
1985 Indianapolis Colts draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 5 Duane Bickett *  Linebacker USC
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

Staff

1985 Indianapolis Colts staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator/Running Backs – Billie Matthews
  • Quarterbacks – John Becker
  • Receivers – Chip Myers
  • Offensive Line – Tom Lovat
  • Assistant Offensive Line – Keith Rowen
 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams – Keith Rowen

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Tom Zupancic

Roster

1985 Indianapolis Colts roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad



Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 8 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 3–45 0–1 Three Rivers Stadium 57,279 Recap
2 September 15 at Miami Dolphins L 13–30 0–2 Miami Orange Bowl 53,693 Recap
3 September 22 Detroit Lions W 14–6 1–2 Hoosier Dome 60,042 Recap
4 September 29 at New York Jets L 20–25 1–3 Giants Stadium 61,987 Recap
5 October 6 Buffalo Bills W 49–17 2–3 Hoosier Dome 60,003 Recap
6 October 13 Denver Broncos L 10–15 2–4 Hoosier Dome 60,128 Recap
7 October 20 at Buffalo Bills L 9–21 2–5 Rich Stadium 28,430 Recap
8 October 27 Green Bay Packers W 37–10 3–5 Hoosier Dome 59,708 Recap
9 November 3 New York Jets L 17–35 3–6 Hoosier Dome 59,683 Recap
10 November 10 at New England Patriots L 15–34 3–7 Sullivan Stadium 59,708 Recap
11 November 17 Miami Dolphins L 20–34 3–8 Hoosier Dome 59,666 Recap
12 November 24 at Kansas City Chiefs L 7–20 3–9 Arrowhead Stadium 21,762 Recap
13 December 1 New England Patriots L 31–38 3–10 Hoosier Dome 56,740 Recap
14 December 8 at Chicago Bears L 10–17 3–11 Soldier Field 59,997 Recap
15 December 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 31–23 4–11 Tampa Stadium 25,577 Recap
16 December 22 Houston Oilers W 34–16 5–11 Hoosier Dome 55,818 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Miami Dolphins(2) 12 4 0 .750 6–2 9–3 428 320 W7
New York Jets(4) 11 5 0 .688 6–2 9–3 393 264 W1
New England Patriots(5) 11 5 0 .688 6–2 8–4 362 290 W1
Indianapolis Colts 5 11 0 .313 1–7 2–10 320 386 W2
Buffalo Bills 2 14 0 .125 1–7 2–12 200 381 L6

References

See also


Categories