3 best Wild Card weekend games in Colts history

The Indianapolis Colts have some memorable moments from Wild Card weekend. Here’s a look at the top three.

Wild Card weekend brings the start of the postseason and it’s always an exciting time. Just about every team believes they can make a serious run and it all starts with the Wild Card game.

The Indianapolis Colts have enjoyed the highs and lows of Wild Card Weekend. Since the Wild Card was introduced, Indy has played in 14 Wild Card games going 7-7.

Of the seven wins, some have been very monumental for the franchise, for different reasons. Here’s a ranking of Indy’s 3 best Wild Card weekend games.

3. Colts defeat Broncos 41-10 in 2004 Wild Card game

This game was for the 2003 season, but it was played four days after the new year on January 4, 2004. Indianapolis carried its party onto the field.

The Colts entered the game 13-4 and the No. 3 seed in the AFC. They were going against a Mike Shanahan-coached Deven Broncos team that was 10-7.

Indy dominated this game from start to finish. On the first drive of the game, Peyton Manning connected with Brandon Stokley for a 31-yard touchdown.

That was just the start of Manning’s day. He finished the game completing 22-of-26 passes for 377 yards and five touchdowns. Two touchdowns were to Stokley, two were to Marvin Harrison and one was to Reggie Wayne.

It was an offensive showcase for Indy and the defense also shut down Denver, allowing just 10 points behind David Macklin’s two interceptions.

Indy would win the following week against the Kansas City Chiefs but ultimately lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Conference Championship.

Despite coming up short in the postseason, this Wild Card game was a milestone moment for Indianapolis because it was Manning’s first playoff win.

Manning was 0-3 in his first three playoff appearances and finally got over the hump in an impressive fashion.