In the 2017 season opener, the Indianapolis Colts will play their first regular season game in Los Angeles since 1991 when they face the Rams. The game time is set for 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 10, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The contest will mark the 44th all-time regular season meeting between the teams, with the Colts holding a 23-18-2 advantage. The last matchup between the teams came on Nov. 10, 2013, when the Rams defeated Indianapolis, 38-8.
The 2017 season brings a bevy of change for the Colts. The team hired Chris Ballard as the new general manager this offseason and he has aggressively reshaped and retooled the roster. Entering this week, Indianapolis has 26 new players on its 53-man roster.
The Colts made a concerted effort this offseason at boosting the defense with the signings of DT-Johnathan Hankins, OLB-Jabaal Sheard, OLB-John Simon, NT-Al Woods and others in veteran free agency. In the 2017 NFL Draft, Indianapolis used their first three picks on defensive players, including S-Malik Hooker in the first round.
Indianapolis will also return several key pieces who look to improve in 2017. Entering this season, QB-Andrew Luck has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 23 consecutive games, which is the longest active streak in the NFL. WR-T.Y. Hilton led the NFL receiving yards (1,448) last season while RB-Frank Gore became the team's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2007. CB-Vontae Davis has registered four consecutive seasons with at least 10 passes defensed, which is tied for the most in the NFL over that time frame. Additionally, K-Adam Vinatieri set an NFL record last season with 44 consecutive field goals made.
