How the Colts have lost in Week 1 the past 8 years

The Indianapolis Colts have lost eight straight Week 1 games.

Their last season-opening win came in 2013 over the Oakland Raiders. Andrew Luck threw touchdown passes to Reggie Wayne and Dwayne Allen, and Vick Ballard led the Colts in rushing. Tyrelle Pryor passed for 217 yards and rushed for 112.

Since then, there are been last-minute losses, overtime losses, squandered leads, furious rallies that fall just short and blowouts. And they all end with the Colts 0-1.

However, a Week 1 loss is not a reason to panic. The Colts made the AFC playoffs three times over those eight seasons.

Here's a closer look:

Colts' Week 1 losing streak

Indianapolis Colts season-opening losses, with year, opponent, score, opponent's final record

2021: Seahawks 28, Colts 16

The Colts led 3-0 before the Seahawks took control, extending their lead to 28-10 in the fourth quarter. Russell Wilson passed for four touchdowns and Seattle rushed for 140 yards.

“Life is full of disappointments,” Colts coach Frank Reich said. “And (this loss) was extremely disappointing.”

Colts 2021 record: 9-8

2020: Jaguars 27-20

The Colts couldn't stop Gardner Minshew and couldn't generate a rushing game. Jacksonville scored the game's last 10 points, with the help of a Philip Rivers interception and Minshew's dissection of the Colts secondary. He finished the game 19-of-20 for 173 yards and three touchdowns.

The Colts knew this loss hurt. It was Jacksonville's lone victory of the season and ‒ as was revealed later in the season ‒ required a postgame heart-to-heart between owner Jim Irsay and coach Frank Reich.

Colts 2020 record: 11-5, made playoffs

2019: Chargers 30-24, OT

Indianapolis was on the verge of being two scores down in the fourth quarter, but Malik Hooker intercepted Philip Rivers in the end zone and the Colts followed with a long drive that resulted in a T.Y. Hilton touchdown and a tying Marlon Mack 2-point conversion in the closing minute.

However, the Chargers took the ball to start overtime and drove to Austin Ekeler's touchdown.

Special teams failed the Colts in this one. Adam Vinatieri missed three kicks, Denico Autry committed a personal foul on a missed Chargers field goal attempt (they drove for a touchdown), and a missed blocking assignment resulted in a blocked punt, which led to a Chargers field goal.

Colts 2019 record: 7-9

2018: Bengals 34-23

In coach Frank Reich's debut, the Colts led 23-10 midway through the third quarter before the Bengals reeled off 24 unanswered points. Indianapolis was in Cincinnati territory in the final minute and trailing 27-23 when Jack Doyle fumbled after a reception and Clayton Fejedelem returned it 83 yards for a touchdown.

Colts 2018 record: 10-6, made playoffs

2017: Rams 46-9

Can you remember who started at quarterback for the Colts in this game? Not Andrew Luck; he was injured. Not Jacoby Brissett; the Colts traded for him a week before the opener, and he came on in the second half.

Scott Tolzien got the call, and it didn't go well. The Rams intercepted two of his passes and returned them for touchdowns. It would be Tolzien's final NFL appearance. The defense didn't help; Jared Goff passed for 306 yards.

Colts 2017 record: 4-12

2016: Lions 39-35

This one was thrilling but painful. The Colts scored what they thought was the winning touchdown with 37 seconds to go when Andrew Luck hit Jack Doyle from 6 yards.

However, the Lions needed just three plays to get into field goal position, and Matt Prater hit from 50 yards with 12 seconds left. Detroit added a game-ending safety.

Colts 2016 record: 8-8

2015: Bills 27-14

The Colts weren't ever really in this one. They fell behind 24-0 and committed three turnovers.

"They beat us pretty bad," said quarterback Andrew Luck, who threw two interceptions.

Colts 2015 record: 8-8

2014: Broncos 31-24

The Andrew Luck vs. Peyton Manning matchup was all Manning early. Denver led 24-0 in closing minutes of the first half on the strength of three Manning-to-Julius Thomas touchdown passes.

Luck ran in for a score late in the first half and threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns, the last one with 3:26 remaining. However, Indianapolis had two less-than-satisfactory goal-to-go situations in the third quarter, one that failed on a fourth-down quarterback sneak and another that yielded a field goal.

Colts 2014 record: 11-5, made AFC Championship Game, beating the Broncos in their playoff run.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts have lost eight straight NFL Week 1 games