| 2013 Indianapolis Colts season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Jim Irsay |
| General manager | Ryan Grigson |
| Head coach | Chuck Pagano |
| Home field | Lucas Oil Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 11–5 |
| Division place | 1st AFC South |
| Playoff finish | Won Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Chiefs) 45–44 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Patriots) 22–43 |
| Pro Bowlers | QB Andrew Luck OLB Robert Mathis LS Matt Overton |
| Uniform | |
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The 2013 Indianapolis Colts season was the franchise's 61st season in the National Football League (NFL), the 30th in Indianapolis and the second season under head coach Chuck Pagano, who missed most of the 2012 season due to treatment for leukemia. The Colts matched their 2012 record of 11–5, and went undefeated within the division during the season. The Colts hoped to advance further than the Wild Card round in the playoffs than in 2012, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Ravens. They did so after overcoming a 28-point deficit to the Chiefs in the opening round, coming back to win 45–44. However, the Colts were defeated by the New England Patriots in the divisional round, by a score of 43–22.
On March 7, 2013, Jeff Saturday signed a one-day contract in order to retire as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
For the second consecutive season, the Colts held the final pick in the NFL Draft, number 254, which is famously known as Mr. Irrelevant. In 2012, the final player selected was Chandler Harnish. The 2013 season's Mr. Irrelevant was Justice Cunningham.
Throughout the season, the Colts wore a patch to recognize the 30th season since their move to Indianapolis.
On October 20, 2013, Peyton Manning made his first return to Indianapolis since being released by the Indianapolis Colts in March 2012 and signed by the Denver Broncos, a game in which commentator Al Michaels dubbed "the War of 1812" (referring to Peyton Manning's number of 18 and Colts quarterback Andrew Luck's number of 12). The Colts won the game 39–33.
While losing their Week 14 match-up against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Colts overall record as well as a 4–0 record within the division was enough to earn them their 15th division title after the Denver Broncos defeated the Tennessee Titans and their first since 1987 without Peyton Manning. The Colts became the first team of the 2013 season to win their division, securing a home playoff game.[1]
With the Titans' loss to the Cardinals in Week 15, the Colts were the only AFC South team to make the playoffs.
In the AFC wild card game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Colts rallied to turn a 38–10 Chiefs' lead into a 45–44 victory for the second largest comeback in NFL playoff history. It is behind the Bills who rallied from a 32-point deficit in the 1993 AFC Wild Card Game. As of 2023, this represents the most recent season where the Colts won their opening game.