Indianapolis Colts Playoff Tickets

The Colts brought a rich legacy from Baltimore to Indianapolis. The early Colts swung into the late 1960s considered among the greatest teams in football history; Their 1958 Championship win versus the New York Giants is still called “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” With superlatives heavy on the tongue of NFL historians, you would expect the Indianapolis Colts to buckle under the pressure. You would expect wrong.

Johnny Unitas: The Golden Arm. Unitas wrote the script of the modern NFL quarterback with his razor-sharp passing game, high football IQ, and media-friendly gravitas. He also delivered four championships to Baltimore, most notably in 1958 versus the Giants and again in 1970, in Super Bowl V versus the Dallas Cowboys at 37 years old.

The energy was palpable in the 1958 Championship. After a sloppy first quarter, the Colts converted a fumble into a stout drive for the lead. Unitas connected to receiver Raymond Berry to pull a confident 14-3 lead at the half. The Giants weren’t done. As the fourth quarter wound down, the Giants held a narrow lead, 17-14. Then Unitas executed a two-minute drill of legend, culminating in a game-tying field goal with a scant seven seconds on the clock. Neither team knew what came next. The game entered overtime, the championship was the first NFL game of significance to implement the then-unknown rule. Unitas clipped the ball 80-yards down the field on thirteen plays, and RB Alan Ameche ran in for the win.

Fast forward to 1998: the Colts are in a long-term after their 1950’s-70’s heyday and have struggled to establish their identity in Indy. Indy, meet Peyton Manning. The University of Tennessee Quarterback had, even in his youth, a mind for breaking down defenses and an unfathomable gift for leading his offense. He carried pedigree from his much-beloved father Archie Manning. After an ugly 28-interception rookie season, Manning honed his craft and lifted the Colts back to playoff glory.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Tony Dungy took over in Indianapolis in 2002, directing his team to four straight playoff appearances and an equal run of playoff losses --including two losses to burgeoning rivals the New England Patriots.

In 2006, the Colts found success of the greatest level. Indy went a stellar 12-4 in the regular season and battled into the AFC Championship to face their rival New England Patriots. The Patriots looked poised to win yet another battle, but Manning had other ideas. He turned a 21-3 deficit into a 38-34 victory, and the chance to match up with the Chicago Bears for Super Bowl XLI. Defense and acuity took over, with the Colts forcing five turnovers (one being a gorgeous pick-six), and a solid 247-yard, one touchdown outing from Manning. The Colts added a trophy to their case for the first time since 1970, defeating the Bears 29-17.