The Colts continued their 2024 season on the road on Sunday against an AFC South rival team in the Jacksonvilld Jaguars. The Jaguars were 0-4 and winless on the year, coming off a loss to the Houston Texans. The Colts were without starting center Ryan Kelly, defensive end Kwity Paye, cornerback Kenny Moore and quarterback Anthony Richardson due to injury.
The Colts now sit at 2-3 and are currently second in the AFC South. The Colts couldn’t manage to stay above .500 for the year.
The national media have moved the Colts down in the power rankings board after their loss against the Jaguars. Here is how the Colts stack up in the week 6 power rankings.
ESPN has the Colts at 22.
“While the volume of usage hasn’t been significant, Pierce is putting up some eye-popping numbers, leading the NFL in yards per catch with 28.3 and already matching a career high with two touchdown receptions. Pierce established a career best with 134 receiving yards in Sunday’s loss at Jacksonville, once again making the most of his opportunities (three targets and three catches).”
NFL.com has the Colts at 21.
“They were in Jacksonville, a place where the Colts haven’t won in a decade now, and they were without Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor and Ryan Kelly, so this wasn’t the most shocking loss of all time, even against the formerly winless Jags. Nonetheless, it was frustrating to see Joe Flacco get Indy so close to pulling out a stunner, only to watch the defense unable to get enough key stops. The Colts couldn’t turn the momentum after intercepting Trevor Lawrence in the third quarter, and the special teams and defense just broke down too often after that. There was very little pressure on Lawrence all game, and the Jags QB was able to break out of a slump as a result. If the Colts can’t get a little healthier and improve their performance in the next two games against the Titans and Dolphins, they could be in trouble.”
CBS Sports has the Colts at 22.
“They are 2-3 in large part because the defense has major issues. The pass defense is a problem and keeps showing up in a negative way.”
Bleacher Report has the Colts at 23.
“For whatever reason, the Indianapolis Colts just cannot win in Jacksonville—after falling in wild fashion Sunday, the Colts have lost a staggering 10 in a row at EverBank Stadium. This was a game where the Colts roared back with 24 fourth-quarter points. Where Indy piled up 447 yards of offense despite being short its starting quarterback and running back. After the loss, veteran backup Joe Flacco expressed frustration that the Colts couldn’t seal the deal.
“Obviously, it’s one of those games that ends up being kind of like you want the ball last,” Flacco told reporters. “This is the NFL. You’re going to play games like this, and you got to be able to dig deep and try to find a way to win.” Colts head coach Shane Steichen was equally nonplussed by yet another loss at the hands of the rival Jaguars. “I don’t have a great answer for you. I’ve been here two years,” Steichen said. “I know some of the guys in the locker room have been around it, but we got to get that fixed for sure going forward.”
“The Colts are decimated by injuries,” Sobleski said. “Every team is banged up, but Indianapolis may be dealing with the largest group of major contributors not in the lineup. Quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor, center Ryan Kelly, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, defensive ends Kwity Paye and Tyquan Lewis and cornerbacks Kenny Moore II and JuJu Brents were ruled out before Sunday’s game started. Right guard Will Fries didn’t return to the contest and has since been placed on injured reserve with a leg injury. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco can keep the team afloat, but nine key starters out of the lineup is simply too much for most teams to overcome.””
Pro Football Network has the Colts at 23.
“The Colts have now gone 10 consecutive seasons without winning a game in Jacksonville, and this time, they let the Jaguars get their first win of 2024.
Without Anthony Richardson, the Colts’ offense had their most productive game of the season, but it wasn’t enough to compensate for their defense. Against the Jaguars, Gus Bradley’s unit posted season lows in passing yards, rushing yards, and points allowed. To make matters worse, the Jaguars’ 8.7 yards per play were the most by a Colts opponent in more than 10 years.
Simply put, the Colts’ playoff hopes are going to end sooner than later if their defense can’t improve, regardless of Richardson’s health and Joe Flacco’s heroics.”
