2000 season-in-review team reports —
AFC East
As published in print Jan. 31, 2001
|
| Overview |
| Many predicted the Colts to win the Super Bowl this season, but the team
didn’t even match its success of 1999. Still, many believe this season’s record
was more indicative of the Colts’ true talent than the team’s 13-3 mark of
’99. Head coach Jim Mora remained winless in the postseason, losing for the sixth
time in six tries. This season’s playoff loss might have been the most upsetting, as
the Colts blew a 14-0 halftime lead and lost in overtime. |
| Turning points |
| The Colts’ season was such a roller-coaster ride that several games
seemed to serve as turning points. The Week 10 loss to the Bears appeared to be the
Colts’ undoing. Chicago stormed out of the gate, building a 20-0 lead and keeping the
Colts’ offense off the field. Indianapolis mounted a comeback but fell short, losing
27-24 and putting its playoff hopes in jeopardy. But in Week 15, the Colts beat the Bills
44-20 to start a three-game winning streak, which put them in the postseason. |
| Offensive MVP |
| Despite the Colts’ disappointing season, QB Peyton Manning remained
a dependable performer. He led all NFL quarterbacks in completions (375) and passing yards
(4,413) while throwing a career-high 33 TD passes, tying him for the league lead with
Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper. Manning became more well-rounded and disciplined this year as
well, keeping his interceptions down and rushing a career-high 37 times for 116 yards. |
| Defensive MVP |
| OLB Mike Peterson was a solid defender all year on a defense that played
inconsistently overall. Peterson wasn’t a big-play maker; he had two interceptions
and no sacks. But he performed his duties on a consistent basis and at a higher level than
his teammates. Peterson finished the season leading the team in tackles with 160, nearly
50 more than his nearest teammate. Of the 160 tackles, Peterson had 95 solos. |
| Biggest surprise |
| The emergence of rookie DT Josh Williams was a huge bonus, given the fact
that the defense was the Colts’ weakness and that Williams was a fourth-round pick.
Williams wasn’t expected to be the Colts’ top defensive rookie this year, but
injuries and Williams’ great work ethic and motor pushed him into the lineup.
Williams finished with 54 tackles and three sacks. |
| Biggest disappointment |
| The play of the defense overall was the downfall of the Colts this
season. The Colts expected the defense to be at least as good as the unit that finished
the ’99 season ranked 15th overall. However, despite a major focus on defense in the
draft and free agency, the unit actually regressed, finishing this season ranked 21st
overall. Part of the problem was the unit’s inability to produce turnovers. The Colts
finished with only 22 takeaways, including 14 interceptions. |
| Rookie recap |
| First-round pick Rob Morris was injured in Week Six when he was just
starting to show flashes of playing well in the system. Morris’ development was hurt
by a lengthy preseason holdout, but he remains in the Colts’ plans at middle
linebacker. Second-round pick Marcus Washington showed his athletic ability, making big
plays as a pass rusher from the LB position. CB David Macklin (third round) showed
improvement over the year and could become a starter next year, but he must be much more
consistent. DT Josh Williams was a very pleasant surprise. DT Rob Renes and DB Rodregis
Brooks (seventh-rounders) were both on injured reserve for the entire year, but they
remain in the Colts’ long-term plans. RB Kevin McDougal was an undrafted rookie who
ended up on injured reserve but made nice contributions on special teams when he was
healthy. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| The Colts traded for Panthers RB Fred Lane in April, but Lane was found
shot to death in his North Carolina home in July. The only other players the Colts
acquired were DL Bernard Holsey and LB Dwight Hollier. Holsey played solidly, and Hollier
played admirably in Rob Morris’ place. |
Top of page
|
Regular-season record: 10-6
|
| Team leaders |
|
Rushing — Edgerrin
James, 1,709 yards on 387 carries, 4.4 avg., 13 TDs.
Passing — Peyton
Manning, 357-571 attempts for 4,413 yards, 33 TDs, 15 interceptions, 94.7 rating.
Receiving — Marvin
Harrison, 102 receptions for 1,413 yards, 13.9 avg., 14 TDs.
Scoring — Mike
Vanderjagt, 121 points on 46 PATs and 25 FGs.
Kickoff returns — Jerome
Pathon, 26 for 583 yards, 22.4 avg., 0 TDs.
Punt returns — Terrance
Wilkins, 29 for 240 yards, 8.3 avg., 0 TDs.
Punting — Hunter
Smith, 65 for 44.7 avg., 36.4 net, 9 TB, 20 inside 20, 0 blk., 65L.
Interceptions — Jeff
Burris, 4 for 38 yards, 9.5 avg., 1 TD.
Sacks — Chad
Bratzke, 7½. |
| Results |
|
| Pointspread Shown Refers to Indianapolis. |
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 3 |
At Kansas City |
(-3) |
27-14 |
| Sept. 10 |
Oakland |
(-6.5) |
31-38 |
| Sept. 17 |
BYE |
|
|
| Sept. 25 |
Jacksonville |
(-3.5) |
43-14 |
| Oct. 1 |
At Buffalo |
(+2.5) |
18-16 |
| Oct. 8 |
At New England |
(-3.5) |
16-24 |
| Oct. 15 |
At Seattle |
(-6) |
37-24 |
| Oct. 22 |
New England |
(-8.5) |
30-23 |
| Oct. 29 |
Detroit |
(-7) |
30-18 |
| Nov. 5 |
At Chicago |
(-6.5) |
24-27 |
| Nov. 12 |
New York Jets |
(-6) |
23-15 |
| Nov. 19 |
At Green Bay |
(-4) |
24-26 |
| Nov. 26 |
Miami |
(-7.5) |
14-17 |
| Dec. 3 |
At New York Jets |
(+2) |
17-27 |
| Dec. 11 |
Buffalo |
(-6.5) |
44-20 |
| Dec. 17 |
At Miami |
(+3) |
20-13 |
| Dec. 24 |
Minnesota |
(-6) |
31-10 |
| POSTSEASON |
| Dec. 30 |
At Miami |
(-1) |
17-23* |
|
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