The Indianapolis Colts are preparing to host the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium to kick off the 2023 regular season.
Following a busy offseason in which the Colts brought in a brand new coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball and invested the No. 4 overall pick in quarterback Anthony Richardson, it’s no surprise they’re starting at the bottom of the power rankings.
Buy Colts TicketsBut just as the Jedi saw the incredible force potential in Luke Skywalker, the Colts see the same in Richardson. If they can get him to the peak of his power, there’s no limit to what can be accomplished.
Each week, we’ll round up where the Colts sit in the power rankings according to several outlets. Next to their ranking after Week 1, the number in parentheses indicates the change from the previous week. A positive number means they’re moving up the power rankings.
Here’s where the Colts stand in the Week 1 power rankings:
Touchdown Wire
Author: Jarrett Bailey
Rank: 28
Link to article
Author’s Take: “One crazy owner, one potentially incredible quarterback, one disgruntled running back, and a partridge in a pear tree. The Colts weren’t going to be a factor in the AFC playoff race even without all the distractions, but the saga between Jonathan Taylor and the organization hasn’t helped things. Let’s just hope Anthony Richardson makes the insane look routine a few times this season to give us something to marvel at.”
Bleacher Report
Author: NFL Staff
Rank: 31
Link to article
Author’s Take: “They don’t give out trophies for drama in the NFL. But if they did, the Indianapolis Colts would be front-runners for one.
Because there’s a soap opera going on at 7001 W. 56th St.
After being unable to arrive at trade compensation the team deemed acceptable, the Colts didn’t just fail to deal star running back Jonathan Taylor, but they also decided to leave him on the physically unable to perform list, which means the NFL’s leading rusher in 2021 will sit out at least the first four games of the season.
Even Colts general manager Chris Ballard conceded to reporters that the situation is a mess:
“I’m not going to sit here and give you some rosy picture, like, ‘Oh, everything’s OK.’ It sucks for the Colts. It sucks for Jonathan Taylor. And it sucks for our fans. It just does. It’s where we’re at and we’ve got to work through it and we’re going to do everything we can to work through it. Relationships are repairable. They’re repairable.”
Given the Colts are starting an inexperienced rookie against the Jacksonville Jaguars, it would be helpful if Anthony Richardson had some sort of run game to lean on.
Instead, the Colts will start a third-down back with 111 career touches who has averaged 3.3 yards per carry over his career.
No way that ends badly.”
ESPN
Author: Mike Clay
Rank: 30
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts’ secondary might be shakiest in the entire league, and first-round rookie QB Anthony Richardson figures to battle through some growing pains after starting only 13 games in college. Jonathan Taylor ‘s absence doesn’t help.”
Sporting News
Author: Vinnie Iyer
Rank: 30
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts are trying to keep it together for rookie Anthony Richardson without Jonathan Taylor, but the line is suspect and receiving corps needs to show more. Defensively, there are some pieces of solidity, but not enough.”
Pro Football Network
Author: Dalton Miller
Rank: 26
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts also have a questionable offensive line and lack a legitimate No. 1 option at wide receiver, but Shane Steichen can assemble an offensive game plan to maximize the offensive talent they possess.
The option run game is what they’ll lean on. Although the Eagles boasted an elite OL and running QB, Anthony Richardson’s explosiveness creates an extra gap for defenses to defend, which could make even a struggling OL seem more productive.”
NFL.com
Author: Eric Edholm
Rank: 26
Link to article
Author’s Take: “There has been a near-constant stream of disappointment for the Colts since dropping that fateful Week 18 game in January of 2022, and there’s only so much light on the horizon, with Jonathan Taylor opening the season on the PUP list — and with his contract demands remaining unresolved. It’s not the way Indianapolis wanted to start the Anthony Richardson era, but these are the cards they’ve been dealt (and dealt to themselves). Richardson offers the best hope for a surprise season if he can have a Cam Newton -like Year 1. Newton helped the 2011 Panthers improve by four wins, limping to a slow start, then putting up an encouraging finish. That’s a reasonable outlook, I think, for your 2023 Colts. Will Taylor be part of that? No one knows.”
Yahoo Sports
Author: Frank Schwab
Rank: 29
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Giants came to an agreement with Saquon Barkley. The Raiders and Josh Jacobs made peace. The Colts have blown apart their relationship with Jonathan Taylor, didn’t trade him and stuck him on the PUP list for at least four weeks. It was a little different for Taylor, who is on his rookie deal and not the franchise tag, but it’s still stunning how team owner Jim Irsay has handled the entire situation.”
CBS Sports
Author: Pete Prisco
Rank: 26
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Anthony Richardson will start as a rookie, which means there will be growing pains. He will be fun to watch, but the Jonathan Taylor situation doesn’t help him.”
