NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Colts Continue Their Ascend

The Colts continued their 2024 season at home on Sunday against an NFC team in the Pittsburgh Steelersrs. The Steelers were 3-0 coming off a win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Colts were without Center Ryan Kelly who sustained a neck injury.

The Colts now sit at 2-2 and are currently second in the AFC South. The Colts finally 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 Steelers. Here is how the Colts stack up in the week 5 power rankings.

ESPN has the Colts at 19.

Stopping teams on third down continues to be an issue. Statistically, the Colts have been one of the worst third-down units, allowing a 49.2% conversion rate. The practical impact of this was evident during Sunday’s win over the Steelers when the Colts allowed QB Justin Fields and the Pittsburgh offense to convert 5-of-8 third-down attempts. That helped erase a 17-3 halftime lead and turned a lopsided affair into a close game. Fields was 4-of-5 (80%) for 43 passing yards and a touchdown on third downs in the second half

NFL.com has the Colts at 16.

The fact that we’re once again talking about an Anthony Richardson injury — after a dramatic win over a previously unbeaten team, no less — is a troublesome development. It doesn’t seem like the injury that forced Richardson to the sideline Sunday will significantly hamper his availability going forward. Still, it was a reminder that the best quarterbacks are not only playmakers, but they’ve also mastered the art of self-preservation. That’s how guys like Joe Flacco have managed to hang around the game and be successful for so long. Thankfully, Flacco was there to earn the save in place of Richardson and perhaps give the second-year QB a lesson in simplifying things, taking what’s there and, when there’s no play to be made, living to fight another day. The Colts have turned an 0-2 start on its head and can make things interesting in what looks to be a two-horse race right now in the AFC South. Keeping Richardson healthy is a big part of that, even with Flacco at the ready.

CBS Sports has the Colts at 21.

Anthony Richardson’s injury is concerning, but Joe Flacco came in and did some good things in beating the Steelers. Two straight victories has them feeling good.

Bleacher Report has the Colts at 20.

“When Anthony Richardson went down with a hip injury against the undefeated Steelers on Sunday, some may have assumed the Indianapolis Colts were in trouble.

Those people have obviously never witnessed the greatness that is Joe Flacco. Flacco was effective in Richardson’s stead Sunday, throwing a pair of touchdown passes to keep Indy out in front. Flacco, who made five regular-season starts in Cleveland last year, told reporters after the game that he’s always ready to enter the game when called upon.

“You’re never going to get the (practice) reps,” Flacco said. “You’re just going through the emotional roller coaster on the sideline, and as the backup quarterback you always try to stay ready and stay calm.” His performance made an impression on head coach Shane Steichen. “He’s been out there, a veteran presence,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said of Flacco. “Obviously, he’s played a lot of football, went in there and operated pretty darn good.”

“The Colts proved to be extremely cautious with quarterback Anthony Richardson after the second-year signal-caller suffered a hip pointer in Sunday’s contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Sobleski said. “Veteran backup Joe Flacco finished the game, which Indianapolis held on to win. A wrong path exists with the possibility of keeping Flacco in the lineup just to protect Richardson. The 22-year-old quarterback needs to be on the field. He needs the reps to grow and develop. If he’s cleared, he should play. His upside presents far more intrigue than getting by with Flacco behind center.””

Pro Football Network has the Colts at 22.

Anthony Richardson suffered a hip injury on Sunday but could play this weekend, which is good news. The bad news — the Colts once again look like a team stuck in NFL purgatory. They’re neither good nor bad — they’re just kinda there.

But in Week 4, they picked up a win to bring them to 2-2, thanks partly to backup QB Joe Flacco. The 39-year-old and 17-year veteran went 16 for 26 for 168 yards and two touchdown passes. “You just see the guy and hit him. That’s all you do,” Flacco said. “Some guys like to think about every little thing and that’s how they play best. But I think my personality lends itself to this kind of situation. Just don’t overthink it.” Head coach Shane Steichen liked what he saw from Flacco. “He’s been out there, a veteran presence,” Steichen said. “Obviously, he’s played a lot of football, went in there and operated pretty darn good.” Indianapolis will travel to take on the Jaguars in Week 5.