Saturday, November 4, 2023

Indianapolis Colts Week 9 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 9 roundup for the Indianapolis Colts in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 21

Judging the Colts' quarterback situation is complicated given the season-ending shoulder injury sustained by fourth overall draft pick Anthony Richardson. But the rookie showed enough promise in his limited playing time to leave the organization convinced he can be their long-term solution at the position. But the confirmation of that will have to wait until he returns in 2024. In the meantime, backup Gardner Minshew's surprising production has been marred by nine turnovers in four starts -- a fact that will complicate his goal of proving he's worthy of being a team's starter after his current one-year contract expires. -- Stephen Holder

NFL.com -- Rank: 23

It's fun to see the potential of this offense, with Jonathan Taylor looking better each game and Zack Moss not slowing down. The seeds are mostly there for something really interesting down the road. Gardner Minshew was slinging it on Sunday until the wheels came off, and four different receivers had impact performances against the Saints. But everything was rendered null and void by the defense's inability to force more than one set of back-to-back stops, not counting the halftime kneeldown. Those consecutive stops came as the Colts were regaining momentum, but Minshew was picked, and then the D allowed two straight TDs. When Indy's front doesn't dominate, the shorthanded secondary struggles. It's a tough development for a defense that has done some decent things this season.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 22

They compete in games with Gardner Minshew, but they can't overcome all the mistakes. They are falling into a big hole in the division.

USA Today -- Rank: 21

Only one team has scored at least 20 points in its first eight games this season. But bet you wouldn't have guessed it's Indy.

The Athletic -- Rank: 23

Something scary (for them): The pass defense

Indianapolis gave up 354 passing yards to the Saints of Derek Carr and Taysom Hill. The Colts are the only team in the league to score 20 or more points in every game this season, but it's been wasted the last three weeks by the defense, which has allowed an average of 38 points in those three games. The Colts are 25th in the league in passing yards (247.3 per game) and yards per attempt (7.6) allowed this season.

FOX -- Rank: 25

They're not going to admit this, but maybe the Colts are executing this situation to perfection. Competitive more often than not, learning more about their young talent, but losing enough to improve their draft position. It might hurt right now, but it could pay dividends in 2024.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 23

The Colts' lack of talent at cornerback is going to be their downfall. They've overcome it in some weeks but couldn't Sunday as the Saints went up and down the field on them. Being unable to stop an opponents' receivers is a bad deficiency in 2023.

PFT -- Rank: 20

Gardner Minshew is getting his shot, but he hasn't done much with it lately.

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