Colts Make NFL History After Missing Playoffs Despite Starting Season With 8-2 Record

The Indianapolis Colts made some unfortunate history on Saturday.

Indianapolis was officially eliminated from playoff contention, becoming the sixth team in NFL history to miss the postseason after opening the year with a record of 8-2 or better.

The Colts sat at 8-7 as they were eliminated following the Houston Texans' 20-16 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Expectations weren't high for the Colts entering the 2025 season, but they started off by winning each of their first three games before sitting at 7-1 through eight contests.

Despite suffering a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9, Indianapolis followed it up with an overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons to improve to 8-2 heading into a Week 11 bye.

The Colts looked to capitalize on their momentum by acquiring star cornerback Sauce Gardner in a blockbuster trade with the New York Jets on Nov. 4.

Injuries piled up for Indianapolis following its bye week, though.

Jones played through a fractured fibula before his season came to an end after he suffered a torn Achilles during a Dec. 7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It marked a disheartening end to a breakout year from Jones, who completed a career-high 68.0 percent of his throws for 3,101 yards and 19 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions in 13 starts.

Gardner also made just three appearances with the Colts before suffering a calf injury that has kept him out since Week 13.

Indianapolis attempted to gain some stability under center by signing 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement on Dec. 9. While Rivers put together a pair of admirable performances upon his return, the Colts couldn't find a way to win with him.

Indianapolis' current five-game losing streak is its longest since 2022.