Colts power rankings roundup: Where Indy sits in Week 5
The Indianapolis Colts got their first win of the season when they went into Hard Rock Stadium and came away with a 27-17 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 4.
Now, the Colts will be on the road for the third game in a row to visit the Baltimore Ravens in prime time on Monday night in Week 5. Before we get there, let’s take a look at where Indy sits in the power rankings following their first win of the 2021 campaign:
USA TODAY
Author: Nate Davis
Rank: 23 (+2)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “23. Colts (25): All-Pro G Quenton Nelson goes on the shelf with a high ankle sprain, and Indianapolis responds with its most rushing yards and points of the 2021 season. Of course.”
Touchdown Wire
Author: Nick Wojton
Rank: 19 (+4)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Finally, a win for Carson Wentz. After dealing with ankle injuries early in his Colts career, his team topped the Dolphins 27-17 in a game that really wasn’t even that close. Miami didn’t show up until late.”
Bleacher Report
Author: NFL Staff
Rank: 23 (+3)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Indianapolis Colts have had precious little to cheer about over an 0-3 start. But they finally had a few reasons to smile in a 10-point victory in Miami on Sunday.
For starters, Colts quarterback Carson Wentz played his best game since joining the Colts. The numbers weren’t jaw-dropping—228 yards and two scores on 24-of-32 passing. But Wentz didn’t throw an interception and posted a passer rating of 115.1.
Running back Jonathan Taylor had himself a day as well: 103 yards and a score on 16 carries and 11 yards on three catches.
Beating a Miami team whose offense has fallen off a cliff since Tua Tagovailoa went down won’t fix all that ails the Colts. But given the sad state of affairs that is the AFC South, the Colts are just one game back of the division-“leading” Titans ahead of next week’s trip to Baltimore.
“The Colts are in a predicament,” Sobleski said. “They finally won a game, but they’re not good. Yet they’re well within striking distance in the weak AFC South even with a 1-3 record. No one is running away with the division. The organization also has to consider that it will cough up a first-round pick if/when Wentz plays over 75 percent of the snaps this season. Indianapolis will have to consider future implications if the squad doesn’t get on track.”
ESPN NFL Nation
Author: Mike Wells
Rank: 21 (+5)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Biggest surprise: The number of injuries to key players
Why it’s a surprise: Carson Wentz has no idea what it’s like to play behind the projected starting offensive line because the group has dealt with injuries. Right tackle Braden Smith continues to be out with a foot injury, left guard Quenton Nelson is on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain and left tackle Eric Fisher missed the first game of the season while continuing his recovery from an Achilles injury. And that’s just the start. Receiver T.Y. Hilton is on the IR with a disc injury. Starting safety Khari Willis, pass-rusher Kwity Paye and cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and Rock Ya-Sin have all missed games with injuries, too. Injuries are part of the game, but the Colts have been ravaged with them through the first four weeks. — Mike Wells”
Sporting News
Author: Vinnie Iyer
Rank: 23 (+4)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts were overdue for their kind of run-heavy and defensive-minded performance in Miami with requisite gritty play from Carson Wentz. The AFC South title, the only ticket to the playoffs, is well within reach again with the Titans falling.”
List Wire
Author: Berry Werner
Rank: 24 (+1)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Indianapolis Colts won on the field and caught a huge break elsewhere. They stymied the Miami Dolphins on the road and their AFC South counterparts, the Tennessee Titans, were upset by the New York Jets. Instead of being three games behind, they are just one back in the division race. Next: at Baltimore Ravens (Monday).”
Pro Football Network
Author: Dalton Miller
Rank: 21 (+4)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts looked like a team staring down the barrel of an 0-4 start and the beginning of #DraftSZN. Instead, they dominated the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter, taking a 7-3 lead before extending it to 20-3 near the start of the final quarter.
Carson Wentz spread the ball out to 10 different receivers on the day and looked far more in control of his environment than in previous games. Even the analytics community enjoyed his performance, as he completed a fantastic 13.5% of passes over expectation for the game.
With a Monday Night Football showdown against the Baltimore Ravens on the horizon, it was a good time for the Colts to show some life. They’ll need a win against Baltimore to have a realistic shot at the AFC South title. With the Titans facing injuries to key contributors, it could be time for Indianapolis to gain some ground.”
NFL.com
Author: Dan Hanzus
Rank: 21 (+5)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “It’s a start. The Colts went down to Miami for a must-win Week 4 contest and got the job done with a 27-17 victory over the Dolphins. Indy was the superior team in all three phases and got breakout games from Jonathan Taylor (103 yards, TD) and tight end Mo Alie-Cox (two touchdowns). Carson Wentz displayed improved mobility two weeks removed from his double ankle sprain, providing hope that Indy can dig itself out of an 0-3 hole. It helps that the Colts play in the AFC South: As Indy found its way into the win column on Sunday, the Titans were falling on their face against the Jets. The division remains there for the taking … Who wants it?”
CBS Sports
Author: Pete Prisco
Rank: 22 (+4)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Winning at Miami was a must for this team with their brutal schedule coming up. The defense came up big, showing well for the first time this season.”
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