Colts’ power rankings roundup Week 12: Fresh out the bye
The Indianapolis Colts (5-5) will be coming out of the bye in Week 12 looking to make a push for the playoffs during the final seven games of the season.
Coming out of the bye week, the Colts didn’t move a whole lot in the power rankings. They got a slight bump up in some versions, but they remain steady in the mid-teens to low 20s. The best ranking placed the Colts at No. 15 with their worst ranking coming at No. 20.
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 12 power rankings:
USA TODAY
Author: Nate Davis
Rank: 16 (+1)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Coming out of the bye week, only two of Indianapolis’ final seven opponents (Pittsburgh and Houston) are above .500. Sleep on these guys at your peril.”
Touchdown Wire
Author: Jarrett Bailey
Rank: 15 (+2)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Some may think Indy is ranked a little high, but the Colts are scoring the ninth-most points in the NFL with Gardner Minshew at quarterback. Shane Steichen has done a great job, and they are still one of many AFC teams jousting one another for playoff positioning.”
Bleacher Report
Author: NFL Staff
Rank: 19 (-1)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Indianapolis Colts hit the bye week at 5-5, which is actually pretty good when you consider all the team has been through.
This is a team that was hit hard by personnel losses in free agency. That saw top running back Jonathan Taylor hold out all summer and then start the season on the PUP list. That lost starting quarterback Anthony Richardson to a season-ending injury.
Last week in Germany, the Colts struggled offensively, managing just 10 points in a win over the New England Patriots. But as head coach Shane Steichen told reporters, when one side of the ball has faltered this season the other has stepped up.
“No matter what the circumstances are, if the offense ain’t scoring points like we haven’t been the last two weeks, the defense has stepped up and we’re finding ways to win games,” Steichen said. “That’s the stat that matters, is winning football games. But again, it’s the resilience and the belief that every time we step on that field that we are going to win the football game.”
Calling the Colts a playoff contender is probably pushing it, although with quarterbacks dropping like flies in the AFC, it can’t be ruled out, either.
In Steichen’s first season, the Colts can’t be overlooked.”
ESPN NFL Nation
Author: Stephen Holder
Rank: 18 (–)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Preseason hot seat: OL coach Tony Sparano Jr.
Current temperature of hot seat: Freezing
The Colts’ offensive line has enjoyed a resurgence this season under the first-year position coach. While there are other variables in sacks beyond pass blocking, the Colts allowed the second-most sacks in 2022 (60). This season, Indianapolis is on pace to yield just 37. Sparano has been lauded by veterans Ryan Kelly and Quenton Nelson for his unique approach and the belief he has instilled in the unit. Sparano also gets credit for helping accelerate the development of young starters Bernhard Raimann at left tackle and Will Fries at right guard.”
Sporting News
Author: Vinnie Iyer
Rank: 18 (–)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts are hanging in there with defense and the running game but they need a lot more competent and consistent QB play from Gardner Minshew to really be a wild-card race factor.”
Pro Football Network
Author: Dalton Miller
Rank: 17 (–)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts are fascinating. They will occasionally explode offensively, but Gardner Minshew has shown a turnover tendency in 2023 that we’re not used to seeing from him. However, their defense is quietly impressive, ranking 13th in EPA heading into the Week 11 slate.”
NFL.com
Author: Eric Edholm
Rank: 17 (+2)
Link to article
Author’s Take:
*Will be updated when the article is released*
Yahoo Sports
Author: Frank Schwab
Rank: 17 (+3)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Here are the quarterbacks the Colts will face the next six weeks, barring any more injuries or changes: Baker Mayfield, Will Levis, Jake Browning, Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder and Aidan O’Connell. Not that the Colts can count on wins against any team, but they have a shot to stay in the playoff race.”
CBS Sports
Author: Pete Prisco
Rank: 15 (+1)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “At 5-5, they come off their bye alive in the playoff picture. The question is whether Gardner Minshew can keep them there.”
The Athletic
Author: Josh Kendall
Rank: 20 (-1)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Are they good? No
It’s not all their fault. Promising rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson was lost for the season with a shoulder injury. Since Richardson went down, the Colts’ only wins have come against the Titans, Patriots and Panthers. Indianapolis fans can take heart, though. First-year head coach Shane Steichen has the Colts 10th in the league in scoring (24.2 ppg) despite the personnel challenges.”
