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NFL power rankings after Week 10: Indianapolis Colts have NFL’s best record, but are they the best team?
The Indianapolis Colts (8-2) head into their bye week tied with five teams with the fewest losses in the NFL: the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots (both 8-2) in the AFC, and Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams (all 7-2) in the NFC.
The Colts hold the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture, but that doesn’t translate to No. 1 in the NFL power rankings. The Eagles, Rams, Seahawks and Broncos are getting those votes. Among this group, the Colts have an average ranking of about 4.6.
NFL power rankings Week 11: Indianapolis Colts rise after overtime win
“Give the ball to Jonathan Taylor. They got back to what they should always be doing, and it paid off big against the Falcons.”
“Jonathan Taylor is this year’s Saquon Barkley — and he didn’t even have to change teams.”
“Only eight running backs last season had more than 1,139 yards. Only six had 15 or more rushing touchdowns last season. That’s Jonathan Taylor’s stat line after just 10 games. He’s the favorite to win NFL Offensive Player of the Year, but Taylor should be considered for a higher award than that.”
“While teams are getting at Daniel Jones and certainly flustering him more frequently, it won’t be until an opponent matches the Colts’ offensive efficiency and forces Jonathan Taylor into a full-time pass protecting role that this train will start to leave the tracks. Jones — aided by a beautiful fourth-down catch from Tyler Warren — showed that the team has guts to back up special personnel and elite playcalling.”
“Indianapolis has been having a party over the first few months of the season, speeding past inferior opponents and playing up to (and exceeding) the contenders it has faced so far.
“Teams seem to be adjusting to this offense, though, and quarterback Daniel Jones’s bad habits are creeping up as a result. With Kansas City, Houston, and Seattle making up three of Indy’s next four games, we’ll see whether the Colts can be taken seriously — or whether they’re just a fun story for the regular season.”
“Sunday’s win should give the Colts confidence for a couple of reasons. They head into their bye week knowing they can win when not everything is perfect. They also know last week’s trade for Sauce Gardner is going to have a substantial and early impact.”
“If it seems like it’s been forever since a team rode a sensational running back and a strong defense to a Super Bowl − taking whatever a sometimes inconsistent quarterback provided − well, it’s actually only been nine months.”
“It wasn’t easy, and they needed overtime, but they did put up an amazing 519 yards on the Falcons. And Indiana Jones is back on track.”
“(Daniel Jones) was supposed to be riding out the end of a disappointing career in Indianapolis. Instead, he has the best passer rating of his career and is ninth in the league in EPA per dropback (0.18). Jones’ 265.9 passing yards per game and 8.3 passing yards per attempt are both career highs, and his 15 touchdowns tie for his second-best season. He’s the league’s best bargain, on a one-year, $14 million deal.”
NFL playoff picture
AFC through Week 10
Seed
Team
Record
1.
Colts
8-2
2.
Broncos
8-2
3.
Patriots
8-2
4.
Steelers
5-4
5.
Chargers
7-3
6.
Bills
6-3
7.
Jaguars
5-4
NFC through Week 10
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1. | Eagles | 7-2 |
| 2. | Seahawks | 7-2 |
| 3. | Lions | 6-3 |
| 4. | Buccaneers | 6-3 |
| 5. | Rams | 7-2 |
| 6. | Bears | 6-3 |
| 7. | Packers | 5-3-1 |
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.