1987 Indianapolis Colts season

The 1987 Indianapolis Colts season was the 35th season for the team in the National Football League and fourth in Indianapolis. It was also their first full season under head coach Ron Meyer, who had taken over a 0–13 Colts team the previous season after Rod Dowhower was fired.
The team finished the strike-shortened season with a record of 9–6 and won the AFC East division.
This season marked the first winning season, division championship, and playoff appearance for the Colts since 1977, when they were still in Baltimore. They also possessed the league's number one defense, surrendering only 238 points. It was their first season they had the NFL's top defense since 1968.
NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled Off and Running; it was narrated by Jeff Kaye.

Personnel

NFL replacement players

After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:

Regular season

Game summaries

Week 8: at New York Jets

On October 31, the Los Angeles Rams traded Eric Dickerson to the Indianapolis Colts in a three team trade involving the Buffalo Bills. The Rams sent Dickerson to the Colts for six draft choices and two players. Buffalo obtained the rights to Cornelius Bennett from Indianapolis. Buffalo sent running back Greg Bell and three draft choices to the Rams, while Indianapolis added Owen Gill and three of their own draft picks to complete the deal with the Rams.