The Indianapolis Colts (8-7) are looking to bounce back following a brutal loss on the road with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
It was arguably the worst loss of the season. The Colts went on the road and mustered just 10 points, seven of which were scored on the opening drive. Both sides of the ball struggled to generate any rhythm, and the Colts failed to take advantage of other losses around the AFC.
In most outlets, the Colts were knocked down a few pegs, but they are still near the middle of the pack.
Next to their ranking, 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 17 power rankings:
USA TODAY
Author: Nate Davis
Rank: 18 (-4)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Feels like we’ve been waiting for weeks for the wheels to come off. Could be time for roadside assistance for an offense that’s scored 14 or fewer points in three of the past six contests.”
Touchdown Wire
Author: Jarrett Bailey
Rank: 18 (-2)
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Author’s Take: “The Colts missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the AFC South race. Now, even if they win out, the division isn’t a guarantee.”
Bleacher Report
Author: NFL Staff
Rank: 13 (-2)
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Author’s Take: ”
Some weeks, the Indianapolis Colts have looked like the clear-cut No. 1 team in the AFC South.
Then there are weeks the Colts look they did Sunday in Atlanta.
Indianapolis took the opening kickoff and went 75 yards in 13 plays for a Jonathan Taylor touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons, and then they didn’t score another touchdown the rest of the game.
The listless loss earned a fiery post-game speech from Indianapolis quarterback Gardner Minshew.
“You start counting wins and you start doing schedule math and you look around, it’s like, ‘Well they lost to Carolina; we beat the Steelers,'” Minshew recounted to reporters later. “Well you know what? You gotta go earn it right now. And if you take this lightly, you might not end up with another [chance].”
The Colts’ effort also earned a rebuke (of sorts) from Sobleski.
“Sunday’s contest proved to be an opportunity wasted for the Colts,” he said. “The Falcons controlled the game from the second quarter on. Fortunately, Indianapolis didn’t lose too much ground in the AFC’s postseason standings because the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals all lost. Shane Steichen’s squad currently sits in the seventh hole as a playoff participant. It controls its destiny, with winnable upcoming games against the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans–both of which are at home.”
ESPN NFL Nation
Author: Stephen Holder
Rank: 13 (+3)
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Author’s Take: “Best rookie: WR Josh Downs
Quarterback Anthony Richardson was on track to be the clear winner here before his season-ending shoulder injury. But Downs has had a very strong rookie year, trailing only Michael Pittman Jr . among Colts players in receptions and receiving yards. With 63 catches for 670 yards, Downs has provided the Colts with a reliable option in the slot and has consistently displayed his football I.Q. by knowing where to settle against zone coverages and how to set up man-to-man defenders with crafty routes.”
Sporting News
Author: Vinnie Iyer
Rank: 17 (-4)
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Author’s Take: “The Colts have been doing their best to further their AFC playoff agenda with more offensive and defensive consistency under Shane Steichen, but both sides seem to be a roller coaster, even when it looks like things are trending well in one way. Their Cinderella story might be ending in the South soon, too.”
Pro Football Network
Author: Dalton Miller
Rank: 16 (-2)
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Author’s Take: “Not much went right for the Colts after their first offensive drive. Their offense managed just 10 first downs in nine drives after picking up six of them on the first drive. But the defense struggled for all four quarters, allowing Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, and Cordarrelle Patterson to all average five yards per touch on the ground.”
NFL.com
Author: Eric Edholm
Rank: 15 (-2)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “After building up so much goodwill with the 5-1 stretch that started in November, the Colts fell flat in the 29-10 loss to the Falcons. Like in Week 14’s 34-14 loss at Cincinnati, Indianapolis was exposed on the road by a competitive team starting its backup quarterback. Gardner Minshew (a replacement QB himself) and Indy’s offense struggled after the opening-drive TD, punting on their next four drives. In the fourth quarter, the Colts sandwiched two turnovers on downs around a back-breaking interception. But the defense came up small, too, seeing its 19-game takeaway streak end and registering just one sack of Taylor Heinicke (for no loss) after racking up 25 of them in the previous six games. The Colts have well surpassed many folks’ preseason expectations in Year 1 under Shane Steichen, but the feel-good season might be petering out at the very end.”
Yahoo Sports
Author: Frank Schwab
Rank: 16 (-3)
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Author’s Take: “The Colts aren’t good. They’re over .500 and in the playoff race because rookie head coach Shane Steichen is having a good season and they play very hard. But they have games where it’s clear their talent level is far lower than their record. Sunday’s loss to the Falcons was one of them. They’re still in good shape for a playoff berth because the rest of the AFC’s middle class keeps losing, but a playoff berth shouldn’t change the realistic outlook for where the team is at, like it did for the 2023 Giants.”
CBS Sports
Author: Pete Prisco
Rank: 17 (-4)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Losing to the Falcons the way they did is not a good look for a team in playoff mode down the stretch. Gardner Minshew got beat up in that game.”
The Athletic
Author: Josh Kendall
Rank: 14 (–)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “MVP: DeForest Buckner
In his fourth year with the Colts, Buckner is playing as well as ever. Which is saying something considering he’s a two-time Pro Bowler. He already has 17 quarterback hurries, a huge number for a defensive tackle, along with being fifth on the team in tackles (71) and third in sacks (six). Next season, his ninth in the league, will be his last on his current contract.”
