What Is 1987 Indianapolis Colts football team

Overview

The 1987 Indianapolis Colts represented a transitional phase for the franchise in its early years after relocating from Baltimore in 1984. Coming off a 5-11 record in 1986, the team improved significantly under head coach Ron Meyer, posting a 9-6 win-loss record during the strike-affected season.

Despite the winning record and a second-place finish in the AFC East, the Colts failed to reach the playoffs. The season was defined by instability, roster changes due to a players' strike, and inconsistent quarterback play, setting the stage for future roster overhauls.

• Record: The Colts finished the 1987 season with a 9-6 record, their first winning season since the move to Indianapolis.
• Strike impact: A 24-day players' strike led to the cancellation of three weeks of games, replaced by replacement players for Weeks 4–6.
• Division standing: Indianapolis placed 2nd in the AFC East, behind the Miami Dolphins who went 12-4.
• Head coach:Ron Meyer was dismissed after the season despite the improved record, due to ongoing friction with management.
• Playoff absence: The team did not qualify for the postseason, one of only two non-playoff teams with a winning record that year.

How It Works

The 1987 NFL season operated under unique conditions due to labor unrest, altering team dynamics and competitive balance. Understanding how the season unfolded requires examining key structural and operational changes implemented during this period.

• Strike replacement games:Weeks 4–6 featured replacement players; the Colts went 2-1 in those games, defeating the Jets and Bills while losing to the Dolphins.
• Regular roster games: In the 10 games with regular players, the Colts posted a 7-4 record, showing competitiveness despite inexperience.
• Quarterback situation:Jack Trudeau started 11 games, throwing for 2,169 yards and 11 touchdowns, though with 17 interceptions.
• Defensive performance: The defense allowed 20.8 points per game, ranking 15th in the league, indicating middling overall performance.
• Running game:Harvey Unga led the team with 571 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, but lacked a consistent ground attack.
• Coaching turnover: Meyer's dismissal after the season led to Mike Ditka being hired, marking a major shift in team leadership.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1987 Colts compared to other AFC East teams in key performance metrics:

The Colts ranked second in the division by win percentage but were outperformed in scoring and defensive efficiency by Miami. Their inability to capitalize on opportunities, especially in close games, contributed to their playoff exclusion. The team’s point differential of -10 highlighted their lack of dominance, unlike the Dolphins who advanced deep into the postseason.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season was a pivotal moment in the Colts’ early Indianapolis era, reflecting both progress and organizational instability. It underscored the challenges of building a competitive team amid labor disputes and coaching turnover.

• The 9-6 record demonstrated improvement, giving fans hope after years of losing seasons following the relocation.
• Missing the playoffs despite a winning record emphasized the importance of consistency and strong finishes.
• The firing of Ron Meyer led to the hiring of Mike Ditka, a high-profile coach with Super Bowl experience.
• Jack Trudeau’s performance revealed the need for a long-term franchise quarterback, eventually leading to the drafting of Peyton Manning in 1998.
• The strike season highlighted labor relations' impact on team performance and league credibility.
• This season laid groundwork for future rebuilding, culminating in the 1995 playoff berth under Jim Harbaugh.

The 1987 Indianapolis Colts remain a footnote in NFL history—a team that showed promise but failed to break through, symbolizing the growing pains of a franchise finding its footing in a new city.