The 2005 Indianapolis Colts season was the 53rd season for the team in the National Football League and 22nd in Indianapolis. The 2005 Colts season began with the team trying to improve on their 12–4 record from 2004 and to advance further into the playoffs. The Colts finished the season 14–2, but lost their first game in the postseason to the Pittsburgh Steelers who ended as Super Bowl XL champions. They started the season with a 13-game winning streak and were heavily favored to go to the Super Bowl. The Colts' nemesis, the New England Patriots, lost to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional round of the playoffs. The following night the Colts were favored over the Steelers because they had easily beaten them in the two preceding years. However, the Colts were disappointed by the #6-seed S