Playoff Flashback: 1995 AFC Wild Card

Colts vs. Chargers

The defending AFC champion San Diego Chargers hosted the Indianapolis Colts on New Year’s Eve Day in 1995. Both clubs finished second in their respective divisions with 9-7 records. The game marked the first playoff contest between the Chargers and Colts. Indianapolis traveled west in search of its first postseason victory since a 20-3 win over the Cleveland Browns in 1971. Meanwhile, San Diego was riding a five-game win streak into the game.

Thanks to the unexpected performance by rookie running back Zack Crockett, the Colts shocked the host Chargers to advance to the divisional playoff round. Crockett, who carried the ball just once for no gain during the regular season, came in relief of Marshall Faulk who was hurt on the game’s first play from scrimmage. He made the most of his opportunity as he amassed a club playoff record of 147 yards on the ground.

Crockett averaged more than 11 yards per his 13 carries that included a pair of long touchdown runs. He scored a 33-yarder just before halftime and then added a 66-yard run in the final quarter that put the Colts ahead, 28-20. Colts QB Jim Harbaugh added a 3-yard touchdown run with just under seven minutes to play for the final margin of victory.

Despite racking up 429 total yards on offense, the Chargers suffered four interceptions by quarterback Stan Humphrey. Free safety Jason Belser picked off two of the passes to lead the way for the Colts defense. Indianapolis followed with a 10-7 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs the following week before falling in a thriller to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.

Zack Crockett was one of 12 Colts on the roster that day who was not born when the team last won a playoff game.

Inside the Game from the Hall’s Archives:
Game Book (aka play-by-play) (PDF 4.45 MB)>>>
Official Rosters (PDF 1.22 MB)>>>
Program cover and team review (PDF 1.57 MB)>>>
News Release from the NFL previewing the matchup (PDF 592KB)>>>

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Photo gallery featuring the Colts and Chargers top performers

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