Indianapolis Colts · Franchise era 4 of 7
Indianapolis searches for a cornerstone: the Indianapolis Colts story
Franchise era
1984—1997
Indianapolis searches for a cornerstone
Indianapolis Colts
The story in one sentence
Dickerson supplied the first playoff breakthrough and Harbaugh's 1995 team came within one catch of the Super Bowl before the franchise found its defining draft pick.
A new city waits through upheaval
Eric Dickerson, Jeff George and Jim Harbaugh gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for the peyton manning machine.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1984
What came before
Jones's MVP-level peak produced three straight division titles before injuries, instability and stadium conflict preceded the move to Indianapolis.
October 31, 1987
The three-team Eric Dickerson megadeal
The Colts wanted an immediate superstar, Buffalo wanted its unsigned top pick and Los Angeles chose a vast rebuild after its relationship with Dickerson broke down.
11Three-team blockbusterOctober 31, 1987IND⇄BUFDickerson to IndianapolisIndianapolis acquired Eric Dickerson, Buffalo acquired the rights to Cornelius Bennett and the Rams received two players plus six premium picks.6 assets · 2 outcomes＋
The original receipt
Indianapolis Colts received
- • Eric Dickerson
Buffalo Bills received
- • Rights to Cornelius Bennett · No. 2
Los Angeles Rams received
- • Greg Bell
- • Owen Gill
- • Three first-round picks
- • Three second-round picks
Dickerson immediately drove Indianapolis to its first division title, Bennett became a pillar of Buffalo's four-Super Bowl run and the Rams received one of the largest packages ever assembled.
Open full trade tree →1995-12-31
Wild Card: Indianapolis Colts vs San Diego Chargers
1996-01-07
Divisional Round: Indianapolis Colts vs Kansas City Chiefs
1996-01-14
Conference Championship: Indianapolis Colts vs Pittsburgh Steelers
After 1997
What came next
Manning and a precisely constructed offense won at least twelve games seven straight times and captured Super Bowl XLI after a defining comeback against New England.
The core