Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Indianapolis Colts Week 9 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Indianapolis Colts rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 19.6 (19th)
  • Best ranking: 18th (CBS Sports)
  • Worst ranking: 22nd (ESPN)

Below you will find a Week 9 roundup for the Colts in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 22

Biggest Achilles' heel: Pass rush

For as good as Colts GM Chris Ballard has been in selecting some talent in the draft -- RB Jonathan Taylor, WR Michael Pittman Jr., LB Darius Leonard and G Quenton Nelson -- he has struggled mightily in finding pass-rushers. The Colts are tied for 16th in the NFL in sacks with 17. To put things in perspective, the Colts are tied for the league lead in takeaways with 18. -- Mike Wells

NFL.com -- Rank: 20

With their chances to win a division seemingly hanging in the balance, Carson Wentz blinked. The Colts quarterback threw a pair of brutal interceptions in the final 7:30 of play in Sunday's overtime loss to the Titans, including a pick-six that will live in infamy. Wentz had thrown just one interception entering Week 8, but his meltdown at an inflection point in the season has to be troubling for Frank Reich and the Indy braintrust. The news of Derrick Henry's foot injury keeps the door slightly ajar in the AFC South, but the Colts have put themselves in a deep hole.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 18

By losing to the Titans, they essentially are playing for a wild-card. The division looks to be lost. Leading 14-0, they should win that game.

USA Today -- Rank: 19

Sunday delivered crushing season sweep from Tennessee. Monday delivered news of Henry's injury and showed home games against the J-E-T-S and J-A-G-S next on schedule. Way too early to count Indianapolis out.

The Athletic -- Rank: 19

How's the head coach? Frank Reich said it was "100 percent my fault" and, sure, a tight-end screen from your own 8-yard line deep into a tie game probably isn't the way to go. But let's also assume the coaching advice to Carson Wentz on that call is not "drop into your own end zone and throw it left-handed." Reich should be safe. Would that change if the Colts lose to the Jaguars or Jets in upcoming weeks and tailspin?

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