# 1995 Indianapolis Colts season

The 1995 Indianapolis Colts season was the 43rd season for the team in the National Football League and 12th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 1995 season with a record of 9 wins and 7 losses, and finished tied for second in the AFC East division with the Miami Dolphins. However, the Colts finished ahead of Miami based on head-to-head sweep (2–0).
The Colts' 9–7 record was good enough to get them into the playoffs for the first time since 1987, largely due to the insertion of Jim Harbaugh into the starting quarterback role. It was only the second playoff appearance for the franchise since it moved from Baltimore in 1984, and was its first playoff appearance in a non-strike year since 1977. They defeated the defending conference champion San Diego Chargers in their first playoff game (their first playoff win since 1971, when the team was still located in Baltimore), then upset the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Playoffs. The Colts would fall short in the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a game that came down to the final play.

## Offseason
### Expansion draft

Indianapolis Colts selected during the expansion draft :
| Round | Overall | Name | Position | Expansion Team |
| 13 | 26 | Dewell Brewer | Running Back | Carolina Panthers |
| 27 | 54 | Paul Butcher | Linebacker | Carolina Panthers |

### NFL draft

1995 Indianapolis Colts draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 12 | Ellis Johnson | Defensive tackle | Florida |
| 2 | 48 | Ken Dilger * | Tight end | Illinois |
| 3 | 79 | Zack Crockett | Fullback | Florida State |
| 4 | 114 | Ray McElroy | Cornerback | Eastern Illinois |
| 5 | 149 | Derek West | Tackle | Colorado |
| 6 | 187 | Brian Gelzheiser | Linebacker | Penn State |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

### Undrafted free agents

1995 Undrafted Free Agents of note :
| Player | Position | College |
| Ben Bronson | Wide receiver | Baylor |
| Conrad Clarks | Defensive back | Northeast Louisiana |
| Steve Morrison | Linebacker | Michigan |
| Marcus Pollard | Tight end | Bradley |

### Transactions

* July 29: The Indianapolis Colts signed wide receiver Wendell Davis

## Preseason
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | August 4 | Cincinnati Bengals | L 21–34 | 0–1 | RCA Dome | 39,946 |
| 2 | August 12 | at Seattle Seahawks | W 20–17 | 1–1 | Kingdome | 38,006 |
| 3 | August 19 | at Green Bay Packers | W 20–17 (OT) | 2–1 | Lambeau Field | 55,624 |
| 4 | August 24 | Chicago Bears | W 29–7 | 3–1 | RCA Dome | 45,626 |

### Game summaries
#### Week P1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bengals | 7 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 34 |
| Colts | 3 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 21 |
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: August 4, 1995
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 39,946
* TV: WTTV

#### Week P2: at Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
| Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 17 |
at Kingdome • Seattle, Washington
* Date: August 12, 1995
* Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 38,006
* TV: WTTV

#### Week P3: at Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Colts | 6 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 20 |
| Packers | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Lambeau Field • Green Bay, Wisconsin
* Date: August 19, 1995
* Game time: 12 Noon EST
* Game attendance: 55,624
* TV: WTTV

#### Week P4: vs. Chicago Bears
## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game Site | Attendance | Recap |
| 1 | September 3 | Cincinnati Bengals | L 21–24 (OT) | 0–1 | RCA Dome | 42,445 | Recap |
| 2 | September 10 | at New York Jets | W 27–24 (OT) | 1–1 | Giants Stadium | 65,134 | Recap |
| 3 | September 17 | at Buffalo Bills | L 14–20 | 1–2 | Rich Stadium | 62,499 | Recap |
| 4 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 5 | October 1 | St. Louis Rams | W 21–18 | 2–2 | RCA Dome | 58,616 | Recap |
| 6 | October 8 | at Miami Dolphins | W 27–24 (OT) | 3–2 | Joe Robbie Stadium | 68,471 | Recap |
| 7 | October 15 | San Francisco 49ers | W 18–17 | 4–2 | RCA Dome | 60,273 | Recap |
| 8 | October 22 | at Oakland Raiders | L 17–30 | 4–3 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 53,543 | Recap |
| 9 | October 29 | New York Jets | W 17–10 | 5–3 | RCA Dome | 49,250 | Recap |
| 10 | November 5 | Buffalo Bills | L 10–16 | 5–4 | RCA Dome | 59,612 | Recap |
| 11 | November 12 | at New Orleans Saints | L 14–17 | 5–5 | Louisiana Superdome | 44,122 | Recap |
| 12 | November 19 | at New England Patriots | W 24–10 | 6–5 | Foxboro Stadium | 59,544 | Recap |
| 13 | November 26 | Miami Dolphins | W 36–28 | 7–5 | RCA Dome | 60,414 | Recap |
| 14 | December 3 | at Carolina Panthers | L 10–13 | 7–6 | Memorial Stadium | 49,841 | Recap |
| 15 | December 10 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | W 41–31 | 8–6 | Jacksonville Municipal Stadium | 66,099 | Recap |
| 16 | December 17 | San Diego Chargers | L 24–27 | 8–7 | RCA Dome | 55,318 | Recap |
| 17 | December 23 | New England Patriots | W 10–7 | 9–7 | RCA Dome | 54,685 | Recap |
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. ||||||||

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Bengals (1–0) | 3 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
| Colts (0–1) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 21 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: September 3, 1995
* Game time: 12 Noon EST
* Game attendance: 42,445
* Referee: Walt Coleman
* TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play-by-play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator) and Tunch Ilkin (sideline reporter)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 2 at Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Colts | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 27 |
| Jets | 14 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: September 10, 1995
* Game time: 3:05 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Sunny, 68 °F (20 °C)
* Game attendance: 65,134
* Referee: Larry Nemmers
* TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Bob Trumpy
* Box Score, Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
NYJ – Charles Wilson 5-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Nick Lowery kick), 5:52. Jets 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 70 yards, 9:08.
NYJ – Otis Wilson 49-yard interception return (Nick Lowery kick), 3:51. Jets 14–0.
Second quarter
NYJ – Nick Lowery 28-yard field goal, 11:41. Jets 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards.
IND – Mike Cofer 20-yard field goal, 0:27. Jets 17–3. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards.
Third quarter
NYJ – Wayne Chrebet 5-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Nick Lowery kick), 13:14. Jets 24–3. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards.
IND – Tony Bennett 32-yard fumble return (Mike Cofer kick), 2:11. Jets 24–10.
Fourth quarter
IND – Sean Dawkins 15-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Mike Cofer kick), 8:46. Jets 24–17. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards.
IND – Marshall Faulk 14-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Mike Cofer kick), 2:38. Tie 24–24. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards.
Overtime
IND – Mike Cofer 52-yard field goal, 10:33. Colts 27–24. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards.
Top passers
IND – Craig Erickson – 12/18, 141 yards, INT
NYJ – Boomer Esiason – 19/30, 198 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
IND – Marshall Faulk – 21 rushes, 81 yards
NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 11 rushes, 52 yards
Top receivers
IND – Sean Dawkins – 5 receptions, 60 yards, TD
NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 4 receptions, 68 yards :

#### Week 3: at Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts (1–2) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Bills (2–1) | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: September 17, 1995
* Game time: 12 Noon EST
* Game attendance: 62,499
* Referee: Bernie Kukar
* TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 5: vs. St. Louis Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rams (4–1) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 18 |
| Colts (2–2) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: October 1, 1995
* Game time: 12 Noon EST
* Game attendance: 58,616
* Referee: Mike Carey
* TV announcers (FOX): Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Jerry Glanville (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 6: at Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Colts (3–2) | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 27 |
| Dolphins (4–1) | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
at Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: October 8, 1995
* Game time: 3:01 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 68,471
* Referee: Tom White
* TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Paul Maguire (color commentator), Phil Simms (color commentator) and Jim Gray (sideline reporter)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 7: vs. San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| 49ers (4–2) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Colts (4–2) | 3 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 18 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: October 15, 1995
* Game time: 12 Noon EST
* Game attendance: 60,273
* Referee: Gary Lane
* TV announcers (FOX): Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Matt Millen (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 8: at Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts (4–3) | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Raiders (6–2) | 7 | 3 | 17 | 3 | 30 |
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
* Date: October 22, 1995
* Game time: 3:05 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 53,543
* Referee: Gerry Austin
* TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Beasley Reece (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 9: vs. New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets (2–7) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Colts (5–3) | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: October 29, 1995
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 49,250
* Referee: Jerry Markbreit
* TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 10: at Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills (6–3) | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Colts (5–4) | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: November 5, 1995
* Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 59,612
* Referee: Larry Nemmers
* TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 11: at New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts (5–5) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Saints (4–6) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
* Date: November 12, 1995
* Game attendance: 44,122
* Referee: Dick Hantak
* TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 12: at New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts (6–5) | 0 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Patriots (4–7) | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: November 19, 1995
* Game attendance: 59,544
* Referee: Ron Blum
* TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Beasley Reece (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins (6–6) | 0 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 28 |
| Colts (7–5) | 14 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 36 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: November 26, 1995
* Game time: 1:01 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 60,414
* Referee: Bob McElwee
* TV announcers (NBC): Jim Lampley (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 14: at Carolina Panthers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts (7–6) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Panthers (6–7) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
* Date: December 3, 1995
* Game attendance: 49,841
* Referee: Ed Hochuli
* TV announcers (NBC): Jim Lampley (play-by-play) and Bob Golic (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts | 14 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 41 |
| Jaguars | 0 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 31 |
at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
* Date: December 10, 1995
* Game time: 1:00 pm EST/2:00 pm CST
* Game weather: 49°, relative humidity 56%, wind 17 mph
* Game attendance: 66,099
* Referee: Mike Carey
* TV announcers (NBC): Jim Donovan, and John Dockery
On the opening kickoff, Colts return specialist Aaron Bailey, found a gap and sprinted 95 yards for a touchdown. The Jaguars countered by moving the ball to the Colts' 9–yard line; however, Mike Hollis' 27–yard field goal attempt was blocked. In response, the Colts scored another touchdown, with Bailey catching a 14–yard pass. A 45–yard completion to wide receiver Willie Jackson contributed to a Jaguars touchdown, cutting the Colts lead to 7 early in the second quarter. After a Colts punt, Cedric Tillman fumbled the ball during the return, with the Colts' Derwin Gray recovering the ball, which set up another Colts touchdown. On the following drive, Jaguars' quarterback Mark Brunell was intercepted by cornerback Eugene Daniel, who returned it to Jacksonville's 3–yard line. Nevertheless, the Colts were unable to score a touchdown and opted for a field goal, concluding the first half with the Colts leading 24–7. The Jaguars commenced the second half with a successful field goal drive, which the Colts promptly matched with a field goal of their own. As the fourth quarter began, the Jaguars executed a touchdown drive, reducing the Colts lead to 10. They attempted an onside kick, but the Colts recovered, leading to a subsequent touchdown for the Colts. In response, the Jaguars quickly scored a touchdown in just four plays, highlighted by a 31–yard pass to Jackson. The Jaguars attempted another onside kick, but the Colts recovered once more and added another touchdown to their tally. In the closing minutes, the Jaguars mounted a drive where Brunell connected with Jackson for another touchdown. They made a third attempt at an onside kick, but the Colts again recovered, ultimately securing a 41–31 victory in their inaugural matchup.

#### Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers (8–7) | 7 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 27 |
| Colts (8–7) | 3 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: December 17, 1995
* Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 55,318
* Referee: Gary Lane
* TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Beasley Reece (color commentator)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

#### Week 17: vs. New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots (6–10) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Colts (9–7) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: December 23, 1995
* Game time: 8:01 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 54,685
* Referee: Howard Roe
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick (play-by-play), Joe Theismann (color commentator) and Mark Malone (sideline reporter)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com

### Standings

AFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(3)}$ Buffalo Bills | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 350 | 335 | L1 |
| $^{(5)}$ Indianapolis Colts | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 331 | 316 | W1 |
| $^{(6)}$ Miami Dolphins | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 398 | 332 | W1 |
| New England Patriots | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 294 | 377 | L2 |
| New York Jets | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 233 | 384 | L4 |

## Playoffs

The team received a Wild-Card playoff berth for the playoffs and traveled to San Diego to play the Chargers. They went on to beat the Chargers, their first playoff win in 24 years and first since moving to Indianapolis. They also won their Divisional Round game against the #1 seed Kansas City Chiefs but would fall short in the AFC Championship game to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

### Schedule

| Playoff Round | Date | Opponent (seed) | Result | Record | Game Site | Attendance | Recap |
| Wild Card | December 31, 1995 | at San Diego Chargers (4) | W 35–20 | 1–0 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 61,182 | Recap |
| Divisional | January 7, 1996 | at Kansas City Chiefs (1) | W 10–7 | 2–0 | Arrowhead Stadium | 77,594 | Recap |
| Conference Championship | January 14, 1996 | at Pittsburgh Steelers (2) | L 16–20 | 2–1 | Three Rivers Stadium | 61,062 | Recap |

### Game summaries
#### AFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (4) San Diego Chargers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts | 0 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
| Chargers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 31, 1995
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 61,182
* Referee: Gary Lane
* TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Paul Maguire (color commentator), Phil Simms (color commentator) and Jim Gray (sideline reporter)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | IND | SD |
| 1 | 9:28 | 9 | 30 | 3:25 | Chargers | 54-yard field goal by Carney | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | 14:03 | 8 | 27 | 3:45 | Colts | Dilger 2-yard touchdown reception from Harbaugh, Blanchard kick good | 7 | 3 |
| 2 | 5:48 | 18 | 68 | 8:15 | Chargers | Pupunu 6-yard touchdown reception from Humphries, Carney kick good | 7 | 10 |
| 2 | 1:27 | 8 | 80 | 4:01 | Colts | Crockett 33-yard touchdown run, Blanchard kick good | 14 | 10 |
| 3 | 10:40 | 7 | 81 | 3:39 | Chargers | Jefferson 11-yard touchdown reception from Humphries, Carney kick good | 14 | 17 |
| 3 | 0:41 | 7 | 81 | 3:39 | Colts | Dawkins 42-yard touchdown reception from Harbaugh, Blanchard kick good | 21 | 17 |
| 4 | 11:53 | 8 | 55 | 3:48 | Chargers | 30-yard field goal by Carney | 21 | 20 |
| 4 | 11:28 | 1 | 66 | 0:25 | Colts | Crockett 66-yard touchdown run, Blanchard kick good | 28 | 20 |
| 4 | 6:55 | 6 | 23 | 3:31 | Colts | Harbaugh 3-yard touchdown run, Blanchard kick good | 35 | 20 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 35 | 20 |

#### AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: January 7, 1996
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 77,594
* Referee: Jerry Markbreit
* TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Paul Maguire (color commentator), Phil Simms (color commentator) and Jim Gray (sideline reporter)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | IND | KC |
| 1 | 0:29 | 5 | 62 | 2:28 | Chiefs | Dawson 6-yard touchdown reception from Bono, Elliott kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 5:49 | 18 | 77 | 8:40 | Colts | Turner 5-yard touchdown reception from Harbaugh, Blanchard kick good | 7 | 7 |
| 3 | 2:48 | 9 | 35 | 4:34 | Colts | 30-yard field goal by Blanchard | 10 | 7 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 10 | 7 |

#### AFC Championship Game: at (2) Pittsburgh Steelers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
| Steelers | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: January 14, 1996
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 61,062
* Referee: Bernie Kukar
* TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Paul Maguire (color commentator), Phil Simms (color commentator), Jim Gray (sideline reporter) and Will McDonough (sideline reporter)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | IND | PIT |
| 1 | 12:17 | 4 | 7 | 1:58 | Colts | 34-yard field goal by Blanchard | 3 | 0 |
| 1 | 1:50 | 11 | 40 | 5:53 | Steelers | 31-yard field goal by Johnson | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | 12:08 | 10 | 61 | 4:42 | Colts | 36-yard field goal by Blanchard | 6 | 3 |
| 2 | 0:13 | 17 | 80 | 7:27 | Steelers | Stewart 5-yard touchdown reception from O'Donnell, Johnson kick good | 6 | 10 |
| 3 | 9:57 | 10 | 61 | 5:03 | Colts | 37-yard field goal by Blanchard | 9 | 10 |
| 3 | 0:43 | 7 | 44 | 3:17 | Steelers | 36-yard field goal by Johnson | 9 | 13 |
| 4 | 8:46 | 4 | 70 | 2:11 | Colts | Turner 47-yard touchdown reception from Harbaugh, Blanchard kick good | 16 | 13 |
| 4 | 1:34 | 8 | 67 | 1:29 | Steelers | Morris 1-yard touchdown run, Johnson kick good | 16 | 20 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 16 | 20 |

## Awards and records

* Jim Harbaugh, NFL Passing Leader, (Passer Rating 100.7)
* Jim Harbaugh, NFL Comeback Player of the Year