With Week 9 in the books, the AFC picture is starting to take shape, and the race near the top looks crowded enough to stay messy for a while. Every team in the league has now played eight or nine games, which means the regular season is just past the halfway point and the pressure is only going to climb from here.
There are about five AFC teams that can realistically chase the conference’s top seed, so the margin for error is shrinking fast. With Week 10 now on the horizon, here’s a look at the updated AFC power rankings.
- Los Angeles Chargers, 0-8
The Chargers are still the only winless team in football, and there’s no sugarcoating what that means for this season. It has become a year to wipe from memory for the franchise, and a full teardown after the season would not be a surprise.
The roster has major issues, and this could turn into a long recovery. Given the preseason expectations, it’s fair to say the Chargers have been one of the most disappointing teams this century.
- Indianapolis Colts, 2-7
Indianapolis has dropped five straight and is sliding toward what looks like a major reset. The Colts appear headed for a full rebuild, something the organization has needed for years.
Even the idea of who might be part of the future feels uncertain, because it would not be shocking if no one currently on the roster is truly safe beyond this season. For the rest of 2026, this looks like the kind of team opponents will circle on the schedule as a chance to get things right.
In Other News...
Colts Secondary Finally Gets A Lift Before A Crucial Dolphins Test
The Colts finally got a little relief in the secondary this week, with defensive backs Justin Walley and A.J. Haulcy both returning to full participation in practice. For a defense that has been managing a long injury list, getting two defensive backs back on the field at least gives Indianapolis a better chance to sort through its coverage options before a matchup that could demand it.
There is still plenty for the Colts to monitor, though, with several players limited or sidelined and edge defender Arden Key just beginning his 21-day practice window after a hamstring injury. Miami has its own availability issues heading into the game, including starter Aaron Brewer being ruled out and Chris Bell also on the injury report, so both teams are walking into this one with some uncertainty still hanging over the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Fans Will Want To See Why San Francisco Pivoted Away
A receiver shuffle out in San Francisco has a familiar name tied to it, and Colts fans will recognize why it matters. Kyle Shanahan said Mike Evans is close to returning from Achilles tendinitis, but the 49ers are taking a cautious approach with his recovery after he missed multiple games and landed on the week-to-week list. It is the kind of update that explains why a team can talk itself into patience even when help seems close.
Keenan Allens arrival adds another layer to the picture, especially after Shanahan had previously floated him as a trade target while the 49ers were initially linked to Josh Downs. For Indianapolis, it is a reminder of how quickly the market can shift when a contender decides it wants a proven veteran instead of waiting on a different fit. The Colts may not control what San Francisco does next, but they will certainly notice how the 49ers chose to pivot. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Suddenly Have A New Fantasy Name Fans Should Notice
With several big-name fantasy options sidelined this week, the ripple effects are opening up value in places that usually dont draw much attention. The matchup-based DFS conversation has turned toward players who can absorb extra volume, and that has put a few under-the-radar names into focus for managers looking beyond the obvious stars. Trevor Lawrence, Dalvin Cook, Kyren Williams, Chris Olave and others are part of the broader picture, but the appeal here is really about opportunity and how injuries elsewhere can reshape a slate.
For Colts fans, the name worth noticing is Alec Pierce, who fits neatly into that kind of environment. The analysis around this weeks player pool points to favorable defensive vulnerabilities and the chance for expanded involvement, which is exactly the sort of setup that can turn a secondary option into a useful fantasy play. It is not a glamorous storyline, but in a week defined by absences and shifting target shares, Pierce has become the kind of receiver DFS players tend to circle when they are hunting for a little edge. [Read more 🡒]