The Indianapolis Colts may be on their long-awaited bye week, but where do they fall in the NFL’s Week 14 power ranking roundup?
Coming off a last second win over the New England Patriots, the consensus has the Colts jumping up multiple spots in just about all of this week’s power rankings.
While sure, a win is going to do that, the jump up in these rankings by multiple spots despite being a 6-7 team is in part due to the play of Anthony Richardson.
Since returning from being benched, Richardson has been playing at a much higher level. His overall command of the offense has improved and he’s often playing within the timing and rhythm of the play, resulting in more consistency–not to mention that he’s led to late game-winning drives during this three week span as well.
Also encouraging for the Colts is that the run game found some success against New England after Jonathan Taylor had struggled to get going the month prior. A change at right guard improved the offensive line’s performance, and this group should be getting healthier with Ryan Kelly and Braden Smith potentially returning after the bye.
Consistent success for the Colts offense overall is still going to begin with the offensive line and the run game.
In these final four games, one of the elements that the Colts will be searching for is that complementary football component–something they’ve often been missing.
When the offense was struggling to even stay on the field, the defense was frequently keeping the team in games with their red zone performance and by forcing turnovers. The offense, however, was unable to take advantage.
Then in this most recent game, with the defense struggling to slow the Patriots offense, particularly in the run game, it was the offense’s turn to provide some support, which they were able to do late.
At 6-7, the Colts are two games behind the Denver Broncos for the AFC’s seventh-seed, but their playoff hopes remain alive. They play Denver out of the bye week in what will be a must-win game.
A victory over Denver and the Colts are then just a game back, hold the tie-breaker, and have the easiest remaining schedule in football. But a loss, and their playoff hopes will be dashed.
Here is where the Colts stand heading into Sunday’s Week 14 matchup in the latest power rankings:
NFL.com: 17th – up three spots
ESPN: 18th – up three spots
Pro Football Focus: 22nd
CBS Sports: 16th – up three spots
USA Today: 20th – up one spot
Pro Football Talk: 17th – up three spots
Bleacher Report: 20th – up one spot
