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

NFL draft

Undrafted free agents

Transactions

Personnel

Staff

Roster

Preseason

Schedule

Game summaries

Week P1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week P2: at Seattle Seahawks

Week P3: at Green Bay Packers

Week P4: vs. Chicago Bears

Regular season

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 2 at Jets

Week 3: at Buffalo Bills

Week 5: vs. St. Louis Rams

Week 6: at Miami Dolphins

Week 7: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 8: at Oakland Raiders

Week 9: vs. New York Jets

Week 10: at Buffalo Bills

Week 11: at New Orleans Saints

Week 12: at New England Patriots

Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 14: at Carolina Panthers

Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars

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

Week 17: vs. New England Patriots

Standings

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

Game summaries

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

AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) Kansas City Chiefs

AFC Championship Game: at (2) Pittsburgh Steelers

Awards and records