The Colts continued their 2024 season on the road on Sunday against an AFC South rival team in the Tennessee Titans . The Jaguars were 1-3 on the year, coming off the bye week. The Colts were without starting quarterback Anthony Richardson again, due to injury.
The Colts now sit at 3-3 and are currently second in the AFC South. The Colts managed to get back to .500 for the year. The national media have moved the Colts up in the power rankings board after their win against the Titans. Here is how the Colts stack up in the week 7 power rankings.
ESPN has the Colts at 19.
“The Colts’ 3-3 record is either an overachievement or underachievement, depending on your viewpoint. They have a disappointing, 30th-ranked defense (allowing 389.5 yards per game), but they’ve reached .500 despite a rash of injuries to QB Anthony Richardson (oblique), DT DeForest Buckner(ankle) and RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle). If the Colts can get healthy — the three aforementioned players are expected back soon — maybe Indianapolis can reach its ceiling this season. An upcoming stretch includes meetings with the Texans, Bills, Vikings and Lions will probably tell the story.”
NFL.com has the Colts at 18.
“The Colts refuse to go away. Michael Pittman Jr.went from being a possible IR candidate to playing Sunday — in fact, he logged the fourth-quarter, go-ahead TD, snatching the ball away from a great corner in the Titans’ L’Jarius Sneed. Josh Downs also fought through injury to snag a TD and lead Indy in catches and receiving yards. QB Joe Flacco overcame a first-quarter pick to lead two late scoring drives, securing another win without Jonathan Taylor and others. The Colts’ defense also rallied after giving up a touchdown run on third-and-19, shutting Tennessee down on their final four possessions and holding the Titans to 39 yards and two first downs in the fourth quarter. Indy getting its first road win and division win on the same day was a double victory. Anthony Richardson is reportedly close to returning, which would send Flacco back to the bench, but the Colts are still in it, with the Dolphins coming to town this weekend.”
CBS Sports has the Colts at 20.
“Joe Flacco didn’t look great, but he found a way to beat the Titans with some timely throws. The defense played well.”
Bleacher Report has the Colts at 21.
“It was widely expected that after missing time with an oblique injury that second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson would return to action Sunday in Nashville. But Richardson joined running back Jonathan Taylor on the shelf Sunday, leaving the starting quarterback duties to Joe Flacco. Flacco didn’t pile up the style points. But thanks to a big catch from wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (who is himself injured), the Colts squeaked past the Titans and got back to .500 for the season.
Richardson told reporters after the game that all that matters to him is the win, but he hopes to be back out there against the Miami Dolphins in Week 7. “Anything for the team,” Richardson said. “If they feel like it’s best for me to sit another week, I’m listening to them. If they feel like it’s best for me to go out there and play, I’m going to listen to them. Whatever they feel is best for the team, that’s what it is. I’m still healing. If they would have said I was rolling this week, I would’ve went out there and rolled. But I’m feeling good, though. Hopefully, I get back out there next week.”
Indianapolis finds itself in an interesting position. What really matters? Long term, the organization must develop Anthony Richardson after drafting him fourth overall last year to be its franchise quarterback. Short term, veteran Joe Flacco can help the team win games, as they have in two of their last three contests. The Colts could take a hit by placing Richardson back in the lineup. Still, Richardson is the starter. He needs to be on the field. As soon as he’s cleared, the Flacco era in Indianapolis should come to an end.”
Pro Football Network has the Colts at 22.
“The Indianapolis Colts have won three of four games and have seen six or fewer points decide every game this season. Without an elite unit on either side, this team will have to show well in these hotly-contested games, and Joe Flacco has proved to be the more stable option under center for those spots.
Anthony Richardson was the emergency QB for Week 6 and seems more likely than not to assume the starting role next week against the Dolphins. With a struggling run defense, this defense will need to improve if they want to remain in the playoffs.
After the Dolphins next week, they play the Texans, Vikings, and Bills in succession – if they can’t develop consistency on the defensive end, they won’t have to worry about continuing to win close games.”
