The 2002 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 50th in the National Football League (NFL) and 19th in Indianapolis. The Colts made it to the playoffs after a one-year absence, improving upon their 6–10 record from the 2001 season. This was the first of nine consecutive playoff appearances for the Colts. The 2002 season marked the first for the Colts in the newly formed AFC South after competing for 32 seasons in the AFC East. The season is memorable for the team hiring former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy. He would later take the Colts to a victory in Super Bowl XLI after a successful 2006 season.
In the Wildcard round, the Colts were soundly embarrassed by the New York Jets, as they ended up losing the game 41–0. The Jets would go on to lose to the eventual AFC champion Oakland Raiders the following week.
Offseason Signings Departures CB Walt Harris (Bears) TE Ken Dilger (Buccaneers) WR Troy Walters (Vikings) SS Chad Cota (Rams) QB Brock Huard (Seahawks) WR Tony Simmons (Texans) WR Qadry Ismail (Ravens) WR Terrence Wilkins (Rams) FB Detron Smith (Broncos) CB Jeff Burris (Bengals) WR Jerome Pathon (Saints) DT Ellis Johnson (Falcons) G Steve McKinney (Texans) G Larry Moore (Redskins)
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
+ 2002 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeDavid CollettKickerTennessee TechTodd DelamielleureLinebackerHofstraAdam HerzingWide receiverCal PolyChris LacyWide receiverIdahoFrank Staine-PyneDefensive backAir ForceMike SouzaCenterNorthwesternKurt VollersTackleNotre DameRicky WilliamsRunning BackTexas TechBrowning WynnTight endVirginia TechGreg ZolmanQuarterbackVanderbilt
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Seattle Seahawks W 28–10 1–0 Qwest Field Recap 2 Cincinnati Bengals L 10–22 1–1 RCA Dome Recap 3 Buffalo Bills W 19–7 2–1 RCA Dome Recap 4 at New Orleans Saints L 21–25 2–2 Louisiana Superdome Recap
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 8 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 28–25 1–0 Alltel Stadium Recap 2 September 15 Miami Dolphins L 13–21 1–1 RCA Dome Recap 3 September 22 at Houston Texans W 23–3 2–1 Reliant Stadium Recap 4 Bye 5 October 6 Cincinnati Bengals W 28–21 3–1 RCA Dome Recap 6 October 13 Baltimore Ravens W 22–20 4–1 RCA Dome Recap 7 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–28 4–2 Heinz Field Recap 8 October 27 at Washington Redskins L 21–26 4–3 FedExField Recap 9 November 3 Tennessee Titans L 15–23 4–4 RCA Dome Recap 10 November 10 at Philadelphia Eagles W 35–13 5–4 Veterans Stadium Recap 11 November 17 Dallas Cowboys W 20–3 6–4 RCA Dome Recap 12 November 24 at Denver Broncos W 23–20 7–4 Invesco Field at Mile High Recap 13 December 1 Houston Texans W 19–3 8–4 RCA Dome Recap 14 December 8 at Tennessee Titans L 17–27 8–5 Adelphia Coliseum Recap 15 December 15 at Cleveland Browns W 28–23 9–5 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 16 December 22 New York Giants L 27–44 9–6 RCA Dome Recap 17 December 29 Jacksonville Jaguars W 20–13 10–6 RCA Dome Recap
Game summaries
Week 1: at Jacksonville Jaguars
In the 2002 season, the Colts and Jaguars faced off for the first time as divisional rivals in their season opener on September 8 in Jacksonville. The Colts initiated the scoring with a touchdown in the first quarter. The Jaguars tied it in the second quarter. In the final minutes of the second quarter, Mark Brunell threw a 40–yard pick–six to LB Marcus Washington. The Jaguars then missed a 52–yard field goal attempt, resulting in a halftime score of 14–7 in favor of the Colts. In the third quarter, a fumble by Colts RB Edgerrin James led to a Jaguars' field goal, followed by another fumble from Colts TE Marcus Pollard that led to a Jaguars touchdown, giving them the lead. However, after the Jaguars forced a Colts three–and–out, return specialist Damon Gibson mishandled the catch, allowing Colts DB Clifton Crosby to recover the ball at Jacksonville's 19–yard line. The Colts capitalized on this opportunity, scoring a touchdown to regain the lead. In the fourth quarter, the Colts added another touchdown to widen their advantage. The Jaguars mounted a lengthy drive, scoring a touchdown and converting a two–point attempt to narrow the Colts' lead. The Colts effectively managed the Jaguars' timeouts, leaving them with the ball and about a minute remaining. The Jaguars advanced to the Colts' 46–yard line but ultimately ran out of time, resulting in a 28–25 victory for the Colts.
Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 17: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Although the Colts had lost the inaugural AFC South title to the Titans the week prior, they still had the opportunity to secure a playoff berth with a victory against the eliminated Jaguars. The Colts began the game sluggishly, but a fumble by the Jaguars at their 23–yard line enabled the Colts to score a quick touchdown, leveling the score by halftime. In the third quarter, as the Colts advanced into Jacksonville territory, James fumbled the ball, allowing the Jaguars to convert it into a field goal and take a 13–10 lead heading into the fourth quarter. On the subsequent drive, the Jaguars appeared to force a three–and–out, but a penalty for running into the kicker granted the Colts a fresh set of downs. Capitalizing on this opportunity, the Colts tied the game with a field goal. After forcing another three–and–out, a strong punt return positioned the Colts at Jacksonville's 47–yard line. Manning then connected with Pollard for an 11–yard touchdown, putting the Colts ahead. In the closing moments, the Colts' defense held firm, securing a 20–13 victory over the Jaguars, completing a sweep in their initial matchups as divisional rivals and earning a wild card spot in the playoffs.
Standings Division
Conference
Postseason
Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue NFL Recap Wild Card January 4, 2003 at New York Jets (4) L 0–41 0–1 Giants Stadium Recap
Game summaries
AFC Wild Card Playoff Game: vs. New York Jets
References
External links 2002 Indianapolis Colts at Pro-Football-Reference.com