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2004 Indianapolis Colts season
52nd season in franchise history
52nd season in franchise history
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Indianapolis Colts |
| year | 2004 |
| record | 12–4 |
| division_place | 1st AFC South |
| coach | Tony Dungy |
| general manager | Bill Polian |
| owner | Jim Irsay |
| stadium | RCA Dome |
| playoffs | **Won [Wild Card Playoffs](2004-05-nfl-playoffs)** |
| (vs. [Broncos](2004-denver-broncos-season)) 49–24 | |
| Lost [Divisional Playoffs](2004-05-nfl-playoffs) | |
| (at [Patriots](2004-new-england-patriots-season)) 3–20 | |
| pro bowlers | QB Peyton Manning |
| RB Edgerrin James | |
| WR Marvin Harrison | |
| OT Tarik Glenn | |
| DE Dwight Freeney | |
| uniform | AFCS-2002-2011-Uniform-IND.png |
| shortnavlink | Colts seasons |
(vs. Broncos) 49–24 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Patriots) 3–20 RB Edgerrin James WR Marvin Harrison OT Tarik Glenn DE Dwight Freeney 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.
Despite throwing 49 touchdown passes, Peyton Manning attempted fewer than 500 passes for the first time in his NFL career. Sports statistics site Football Outsiders calculates that Manning had the best-ever season by a quarterback, play-for-play, in 2004.
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.
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
Main article: 2004 NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Thomas | Defensive end | Syracuse |
| Ben Utecht | Tight end | Minnesota |
Roster
| Indianapolis Colts 2004 final roster |
|---|
| **Quarterbacks** |
Preseason
| Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Date | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Result | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Game Site | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | NFL Recap | August 14, 2004 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at [San Diego Chargers](2004-san-diego-chargers-season) | **W** 21–17 | Qualcomm Stadium | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20040814_IND@SD) | |||||||||||||||||
| August 21, 2004 | [New York Jets](2004-new-york-jets-season) | **L** 7–31 | RCA Dome | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20040821_NYJ@IND) | ||||||||||||||||
| August 28, 2004 | [Buffalo Bills](2004-buffalo-bills-season) | **W** 30–17 | RCA Dome | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20040828_BUF@IND) | ||||||||||||||||
| September 3, 2004 | at [Cincinnati Bengals](2004-cincinnati-bengals-season) | **L** 13–16 | Paul Brown Stadium | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20040903_IND@CIN) |
Regular season
Schedule
| Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Week | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Date | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Result | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Record | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Game Site | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | NFL Recap | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | colspan="6" | *Bye* | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 9 | at [New England Patriots](2004-new-england-patriots-season) | **L** 24–27 | 0–1 | Gillette Stadium | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20040909_IND@NE) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 19 | at **[Tennessee Titans](2004-tennessee-titans-season)** | **W** 31–17 | 1–1 | The Coliseum | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20040919_IND@TEN) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 26 | [Green Bay Packers](2004-green-bay-packers-season) | **W** 45–31 | 2–1 | RCA Dome | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20040926_GB@IND) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 3 | at **[Jacksonville Jaguars](2004-jacksonville-jaguars-season)** | **W** 24–17 | 3–1 | Alltel Stadium | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041003_IND@JAC) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 10 | [Oakland Raiders](2004-oakland-raiders-season) | **W** 35–14 | 4–1 | RCA Dome | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041010_OAK@IND) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 24 | **[Jacksonville Jaguars](2004-jacksonville-jaguars-season)** | **L** 24–27 | 4–2 | RCA Dome | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041024_JAC@IND) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 31 | at [Kansas City Chiefs](2004-kansas-city-chiefs-season) | **L** 35–45 | 4–3 | Arrowhead Stadium | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041031_IND@KC) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 8 | [Minnesota Vikings](2004-minnesota-vikings-season) | **W** 31–28 | 5–3 | RCA Dome | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041108_MIN@IND) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 14 | **[Houston Texans](2004-houston-texans-season)** | **W** 49–14 | 6–3 | RCA Dome | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041114_HOU@IND) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 21 | at [Chicago Bears](2004-chicago-bears-season) | **W** 41–10 | 7–3 | Soldier Field | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041121_IND@CHI) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 25 | at [Detroit Lions](2004-detroit-lions-season) | **W** 41–9 | 8–3 | Ford Field | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041125_IND@DET) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 5 | **[Tennessee Titans](2004-tennessee-titans-season)** | **W** 51–24 | 9–3 | RCA Dome | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041205_TEN@IND) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 12 | at **[Houston Texans](2004-houston-texans-season)** | **W** 23–14 | 10–3 | Reliant Stadium | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041212_IND@HOU) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 19 | [Baltimore Ravens](2004-baltimore-ravens-season) | **W** 20–10 | 11–3 | RCA Dome | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041219_BAL@IND) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 26 | [San Diego Chargers](2004-san-diego-chargers-season) | **W** 34–31 (OT) | 12–3 | RCA Dome | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20041226_SD@IND) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 2 | at [Denver Broncos](2004-denver-broncos-season) | **L** 14–33 | 12–4 | Invesco Field | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20050102_IND@DEN) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | **Note**: Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text. |
Standings
Game summaries
Week 1: at New England Patriots
Week 2: at Tennessee Titans
Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 4: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 5: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 7: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
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. This would ultimately be the Colts' sole defeat in their RCA Dome that season.
Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 9: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 10: vs. Houston Texans
Week 11: at Chicago Bears
Week 12: at Detroit Lions
Week 13: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 14: at Houston Texans
Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 17: at Denver Broncos
Postseason schedule
| Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Playoff round | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Date | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Opponent (seed) | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Result | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Record | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | Host stadium | Indianapolis Colts | year=2004 | border=2}}" | NFL recap | Wild Card | Divisional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 9 | [Denver Broncos](2004-denver-broncos-season) (6) | **W** 49–24 | 1–0 | RCA Dome | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/gamebook/NFL_20050109_DEN@IND) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 16 | at [New England Patriots](2004-new-england-patriots-season) (2) | **L** 3–20 | 1–1 | Gillette Stadium | [Recap](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20050116_IND@NE) |
Postseason results
AFC Wild-Card Playoff Game: vs. Denver Broncos
AFC Divisional Playoff game: at New England Patriots
Awards and records
- Peyton Manning, Bert Bell Award
References
References
- (2007). "Numbelievable!". Triumph Books.
- (2007). "Numbelievable!". Triumph Books.
- [http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/qb2004 Football Outsiders: QUARTERBACKS 2004]
- [http://www.footballoutsiders.com/dvoa-ratings/2012/final-2011-dvoa-ratings Football Outsiders: Final 2011 DVOA Ratings] Stats calculated from 1992–2011
- [http://pfref.com/tiny/EeqJZ 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.]
- "Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts - October 24th, 2004".
- (October 25, 2004). "Jaguars tame the Colts". William Stacey Cowles.
- (September 18, 2005). "Jaguars show Colts respect, but no fear". Paul Pham.
- [http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/bell/past_bell.htm Maxwell Football Club – Bert Bell Award Past Recipients] {{webarchive. link. (June 19, 2009)
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