The Indianapolis Colts are still winless, but they climbed in most NFL power rankings after a much sharper showing in Week 2.
That doesn’t erase the 0-2 record. It does, however, explain why the conversation around Indianapolis looks different this week. After the Colts pushed the Chiefs to overtime, several outlets moved them up despite the loss, pointing to a team that at least looked more competitive than it did in the opener.
The biggest swing came from Nick Shook of NFL.com, who jumped the Colts seven spots to 19th. His read was blunt about the trouble spots: "Through two weeks, we’ve certainly learned the Colts have problems defensively.
We also know Jonathan Taylor remains an incredibly effective playmaker, and Daniel Jones has provided enough good tape for us to believe they’re fine at quarterback. Receiver, however, is a massive concern, especially with Alec Pierce (heel) out for several weeks.
And while the Colts deserve credit for taking the Chiefs to overtime, Indianapolis' clear weaknesses are likely to bog down the team throughout the season."
The Athletic also nudged the Colts up, slotting them 20th. Its look at the rookie class highlighted seventh-round running back Sean McGowan, who is third in the league in kick-return yards with 222 but has not made an impact on offense.
Jonathan Taylor’s workload made that a non-issue, with 190 rushing yards and a tie for the league lead with four rushing touchdowns. The piece also noted third-round safety A.J.
Haulcy, who started and had seven tackles in Week 1, along with fourth-round linebacker Bryce Boettcher, who is contributing as well.
Bleacher Report moved Indianapolis up five spots to 23rd, but it kept the focus on the defense. Kris Knox wrote, "The problem is that the Colts' defense has looked like a major liability through two weeks, and that's an issue that won't simply go away as Jones and Co. round into form. Lou Anarumo's unit has to be better against the rival Houston Texans next week if Indy is going to avoid a 0-3 start."
USA TODAY placed the Colts 25th, up one spot, and went straight at the early-season numbers. Nate Davis called it, "Worst defense in the league so far - by quite a few metrics.
Good thing they added CB Sauce Gardner to it. Sunday's game against equally winless division rival Houston could effectively be a playoff elimination bout."
CBS Sports kept Indianapolis at 25th, down three, and focused on the upcoming AFC South matchup. Pete Prisco said, "The offense rebounded in the overtime to loss to the Chiefs, but the defense continues to be an issue. They face a big division game with the Texans this week."
Pro Football Talk had the Colts 27th, down two, and Mike Florio summed up the overtime sequence in one line: "The Colts got a gift in overtime, and they refused to take it."
Yahoo’s Frank Schwab ranked them 21st, up three, and spent his note on the decision-making in overtime. He wrote that the Colts were second-guessed for whether Shane Steichen should have gone for it, then added that the call wasn’t simple.
Schwab also included Steichen’s words to Daniel Jones before the timeout: 'If you love it, man, let's go at it. Let's go win this thing.
But if it's not the right look … let's kick the field goal here.'
Jason La Canfora of FanSided moved Indianapolis up four spots to 22nd and said, "This is not an ideal start, and another injury to Alec Pierce is a very big deal. But they showed a lot of gumption after being railroaded Week 1.
Daniel Jones should be more active as we get deeper into the season and he gets more used to his repaired Achilles. Must be an elite rushing team."
That all leaves the AFC South standings with the Jaguars at 1-1 and the Colts, Texans and Titans all sitting at 0-2. The Colts get the Texans next, and a win there would change the mood fast.
In Other News...
Jonathan Owens And Simone Biles Just Gave Colts Fans A Glimpse Off The Field
Simone Biles gave Colts fans a small off-field window into the life she and Jonathan Owens are building together when she opened up on TikTok about a frightening incident at her Chicago home. Biles said three masked men stole her Porsche, but the vehicle was later recovered, and she also explained that the episode was part of why the couple decided to get a Doberman for protection.
For Indianapolis, the bigger takeaway is the one tied to Owens next chapter. Biles confirmed plans to officially move to the Indianapolis area so she can support the Colts safety, adding another layer of visibility around a pairing that already draws plenty of attention well beyond football. It is the kind of personal update that does not affect the depth chart, but it does give fans a better sense of the life surrounding one of the teams more recognizable players. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Could Face An Anthony Richardson Decision Much Sooner Than Expected
An already unsettled quarterback landscape around the league has the Indianapolis Colts back in an uncomfortable spot, this time because another team may be forced to look for help sooner than expected. With Jaxson Dart expected to miss the rest of the season because of injuries, the New York Giants have a glaring hole under center, and that has naturally pushed attention toward possible veterans or young passers who might be available if they decide to swing for a solution.
For the Colts, that kind of outside interest matters because Anthony Richardson remains one of the leagues more intriguing unknowns, and any discussion about his future tends to come with a price tag attached. If the Giants really do explore him as a replacement option, Indianapolis would have to weigh Richardsons long-term upside against whatever trade value could be extracted now, a choice that could arrive much earlier than the Colts expected when the season began. [Read more 🡒]
Marvin Harrison Jr. To Indy Suddenly Feels Less Far-Fetched
Marvin Harrison Jr. has only been in the league a short time, but the trade chatter around him has already started to pick up. According to ESPNs Dan Graziano, some NFL executives are at least considering whether the Arizona Cardinals would listen before the Nov. 10 trade deadline, a notable turn for a player whose early production has not matched the anticipation that followed him into the league.
For Indianapolis, the idea lands in a place where the fit is easy to see. The Colts had interest in Harrison Jr. before the 2024 draft, and they have been piecing together help at receiver after injuries thinned the group, recently adding veteran Darius Slayton. Whether Arizona would actually move on from Harrison Jr. is the bigger question, but the fact that the conversation is happening at all makes the possibility feel a little less imaginary than it did a week ago. [Read more 🡒]