The Indianapolis Colts (4-5) ended their three-game skid with a road victory over the Carolina Panthers (1-7) in Week 9.
Coming off that road win, the Colts will enter Week 10 preparing for a trip to Germany to compete against the New England Patriots (2-7) at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt.
Entering Week 10, most outlets have the Colts sitting in the high teens and low 20s. Their highest ranking is at No. 17 while their lowest ranking sits at No. 22.
Each week, we’ll round up where the Colts sit in the power rankings according to several outlets. 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 10 power rankings:
USA TODAY
Author: Nate Davis
Rank: 17 (+4)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “CB Kenny Moore II became the first player in franchise history with two pick-sixes in one game at a most opportune time. No Indianapolis player has multiple TD catches in a game this season.”
Touchdown Wire
Author: Jarrett Bailey
Rank: 20 (–)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts are high-variance fun. Their offense is scoring the seventh-most points in football on a per game basis, while their defense is allowing points at will. However, their defense contributed to the scoring with two Kenny Moore touchdowns against the Panthers.”
Bleacher Report
Author: NFL Staff
Rank: 21 (+2)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “It’s been a rough stretch for the Indianapolis Colts, who had dropped four of five games ahead of Week 9. But nothing fixes what ails an NFL team quite like playing the hapless Carolina Panthers.
It wasn’t a pretty victory, especially offensively—the Colts had just 197 yards of offense and converted just four of 13 third-down attempts. But thanks to a pair of pick-sixes by cornerback Kenny Moore II, the Colts got back to within a game of .500 and back to at least the fringes of wild-card contention.
Moore told reporters after the win that it felt good to be on the right side of the scoreboard for the first time in a month.
“Just having that (winning) feeling again feels so good,” Moore said. “We’ve obviously been on a tough stretch with some losses that didn’t feel too good. We want to keep this feeling.”
According to Sobleski, the Colts have Moore to thank for that good feeling.
“Moore made a strong case to be named the NFL Defensive Player of the Week, with a pair of pick-sixes that ultimately proved to be the difference in Indianapolis’ victory over the Carolina Panthers,” he said. “The veteran defensive back’s performance was critical for a secondary that had been shredded in recent weeks after injuries took their toll. The Colts defense should get help in the coming weeks. The NFL’s leading tackler, Zaire Franklin, didn’t play in Sunday’s contest because of a knee injury. Also, Indianapolis awaits the return of second-round rookie JuJu Brents, who assumed the role of top outside corner, from a quad injury. Both will provide a tremendous boost once they’re back in the lineup.”
ESPN NFL Nation
Author: Stephen Holder
Rank: 21 (–)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Non-QB MVP: DT DeForest Buckner
You can portray Buckner’s impact with numbers — 5 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles — but that doesn’t really reflect the true value of his presence. A better representation is the reality that Buckner easily commands more attention from offenses than any player on the Colts’ defense. He is among the most frequently double-teamed players in the NFL this season in run and passing situations. And his ability to collapse the quarterback pocket as a pass-rusher has fueled the production of players around him like Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam.”
Sporting News
Author: Vinnie Iyer
Rank: 19 (+3)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts are also hanging in there behind the Jaguars and Texans in the division. After losing two tough ones at home to the Browns and Saints at home, they got well offensively and defensively in Carolina. They have a great shot at .500 with the AFC-worst Patriots in Germany next.”
Pro Football Network
Author: Dalton Miller
Rank: 22 (+1)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts offense had next to no juice against the Panthers, but it didn’t make a difference. Kenny Moore II scored two defensive touchdowns, and those two plays proved to be the difference in the game.
Gardner Minshew and the Colts’ passing game was lifeless. The Panthers’ passing defense hasn’t been horrible in 2023, but they’re not the Browns, either. The Colts have one of the most favorable schedules in the NFL from here out. But can Minshew give them enough in the passing game to make things interesting in the AFC?”
NFL.com
Author: Eric Edholm
Rank: 19 (+4)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Sunday’s win over the Panthers was a big performance for the defense, regardless of the opponent. A week after the Saints — the Saints! — shredded the Colts for 511 yards and 38 points, the defense cranked up the pass rush and turned in its first three-pick game of the season. Kenny Moore II ‘s two house calls gave one of the league’s more underrated players some shine, and they provided the difference in the victory. I didn’t realize how much Indianapolis’ offense struggled offensively until I rewatched the game. The line looked shaky, and the Colts finished with four straight punts, not crossing midfield in the second half until the final kneeldowns. Indy has winnable games on the slate, but that kind of offensive execution isn’t going to cut it.”
Yahoo Sports
Author: Frank Schwab
Rank: 19 (+4)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts’ next three games are against the Patriots in Germany, vs. the Buccaneers and at the Titans. The Colts aren’t a sure thing to beat anyone, but all three of those games are winnable. If the Colts can get to 7-5, it gives them a chance to dream about a wild-card berth, as unlikely as that seemed before the season started.”
CBS Sports
Author: Pete Prisco
Rank: 18 (+4)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The defense came up big in beating the Panthers on the road with two Kenny Moore pick-six touchdowns. Their schedule is favorable in the second half.”
