Colts Climb Several NFL Power Rankings After Overtime Defeat to Kansas City
The short version
- Colts fell to 0-2 with an overtime loss to the Chiefs yet rose in most Week 2 power rankings.
- Nick Shook (NFL.com) placed Indianapolis highest at 19th, a seven-spot jump.
- Analysts praised Jonathan Taylor and cited defense and receiver depth as chief concerns.
- Alec Pierce is expected to miss several weeks with a heel injury.
- The Colts host the 0-2 Texans in Week 3 in a key AFC South matchup.
Now 0-2, Indianapolis drew higher placements from multiple outlets this week after a stronger showing against the Chiefs.
Indianapolis dropped to 0-2 with an overtime loss to Kansas City, yet several analysts moved the team up their Week 2 NFL power rankings after a sharper performance than in the season opener.
Not all voters were higher on the club. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk slid the Colts two places to 27th, while Pete Prisco of CBS Sports dropped them three spots to 25th and Nate Davis of USA TODAY lifted them one position, also to 25th.
Larger gains came from Nick Shook of NFL.com (19th, up seven), Kris Knox of Bleacher Report (23rd, up five), Jason La Canfora of FanSided (22nd, up four), Frank Schwab of Yahoo (21st, up three), and The Athletic (20th, up three).
Recurring themes in the evaluations included Jonathan Taylor's strong running, adequate quarterback play from Daniel Jones, and continued concern about a defense ranked among the league's worst by several metrics. Wide receiver Alec Pierce, who is dealing with a heel injury, is expected to miss multiple weeks.
Week 3 brings a home meeting with the also-winless Houston Texans in an AFC South matchup that several writers framed as pivotal. Jacksonville sits atop the division at 1-1, while Indianapolis, Houston, and Tennessee are all 0-2.
