The Indianapolis Colts (5-5) took care of business overseas in a 10-6 win over the New England Patriots (2-8) in Frankfurt, Germany during Week 10.
Though the offense struggled to string together much consistency following a touchdown on the opening drive, the defense came through in a big way with some crucial stops and timely turnovers.
Following the trip to Germany comes the bye in Week 11. In this edition of the power rankings roundup, the Colts continue to entrench themselves in the high teens. Their best ranking sits at No. 16 with their worst at No. 20.
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 11 power rankings:
USA TODAY
Author: Nate Davis
Rank: 17 (–)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Maybe they should relocate to Germany so DL Dayo Odeyingbo (career-high three sacks Sunday) and Austrian LT Bernhard Raimann can continue turning in huge performances in front of their family members.”
Touchdown Wire
Author: Jarrett Bailey
Rank: 17 (+3)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts are Yosemite Sam- crazy, unhinged, and fun. The game in Germany may not have been the best embodiment of that, but they’ve put up points like crazy this season (entered the week scoring the seventh most points/gam) and Shane Steichen has this team in the hunt even without Anthony Richardson.”
Bleacher Report
Author: NFL Staff
Rank: 18 (+3)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “After Sunday’s meeting between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, the NFL owes the people of Germany an apology.
Because this was an ugly game.
All told, there was one touchdown scored—and that was early. The two teams combined for just over 600 yards of offense but could manage just 16 points. They were a combined 11-of-27 on third downs.
However, ugly wins count the same as attractive ones, and after the victory Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen hailed his defense while speaking to reporters.
“Our defense stepped up. We moved the ball offensively, but we didn’t finish our drives like we normally do, but it was good to get the win,” he said.
Frankly, given everything that has happened to the Colts in 2023 (the Jonathan Taylor impasse, the loss of quarterback Anthony Richardson), heading into the bye week at 5-5 is actually something of an achievement. And with the Jaguars getting blasted by the 49ers in Week 10, the Colts are just 1.5 games back in the AFC South.
But this team should probably be more concerned about building some positive momentum over the season’s second half than making any kind of legitimate playoff run.”
ESPN NFL Nation
Author: Stephen Holder
Rank: 18 (+3)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Biggest remaining game: Week 14 at Cincinnati
The Colts are suddenly a factor in the wild-card race in the AFC. They have a favorable schedule down the stretch, but this is a matchup against a talented AFC foe that figures to be fighting for a wild-card spot, too. With head-to-head matchups looming large in the tiebreaking formula, could this game actually impact the postseason picture? Maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves, but if the Colts keep winning, this game will matter.”
Sporting News
Author: Vinnie Iyer
Rank: 19 (–)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts stopped scoring at least 20 points in every game during their ugly, run-heavy victory in Germany vs. the Patriots. At least Jonathan Taylor is doing his normal things and the defense is playing well again while Gardner Minshew looks meh.”
Pro Football Network
Author: Dalton Miller
Rank: 17 (+5)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “Gardner Minshew is not playing well at all. Luckily for him and the Indianapolis Colts, the New England Patriots’ quarterbacking was worse.
The Colts are fascinating because they’re 5-5 and realistically right in the thick of a playoff run. However, their offense feels static with Minshew under center. But the rest of their schedule is relatively manageable, so seeing how things shape up will be fascinating.”
NFL.com
Author: Eric Edholm
Rank: 17 (+2)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “They’ve stepped into the bye on a mini high, winning two straight after a rough patch to get back to .500. Technically, every team remaining on their schedule is in contention, but right now, the 6-3 Steelers have the best record among those foes. The Week 14 road game at Cincinnati will be a challenge, too, with the Bengals barely ahead of them in the playoff standings. Strangely, the Colts are now 4-1 on the road after the sausage grinder of a win in Frankfurt, but only 1-4 at Lucas Oil Stadium. That latter record will have to improve if Indianapolis is serious about making a playoff push, as four of the Colts’ final seven games are at home. The defense and Gardner Minshew limit this team’s chances, but it should get healthier this week to be ready for the stretch run.”
Yahoo Sports
Author: Frank Schwab
Rank: 20 (-1)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “The Colts took care of business against a bad Patriots team. It wasn’t pretty but at least they didn’t lose, which they would have if Mac Jones didn’t blow a potential touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki in the fourth quarter. The Colts probably aren’t a playoff-quality team but they’re still in the race.”
CBS Sports
Author: Pete Prisco
Rank: 17 (+1)
Link to article
Author’s Take: “At 5-5, they are in the division race. They don’t win pretty, but they are finding a way.”
