Indianapolis, IN

‘Treading water’: Colts remain below average in many NFL power rankings for Week 8

Published

1 year ago

October 22, 2024

‘Treading water’: Colts remain below average in many NFL power rankings for Week 8

(Updated with more information)

The Indianapolis Colts (4-3) would be in the NFL playoffs if they started today. They’re one of seven AFC teams above .500.

Their first two wins came against teams that currently have just two losses (Bears, Steelers), and their recent victories came in sloppy performances against struggling teams (Titans, Dolphins).

So are the Colts true playoff contenders?

They will find out soon. Four of the Colts’ next five opponents are at least tied for a division lead.

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NFL Week 8 power rankings: Do the Colts pass the eye test?

Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated: 15th, up 1 place from last week

“I have a good deal of respect for Shane Steichen for shouldering the blame on Anthony Richardson’s recent performance but I think it’s clear to gauge his proficiency when removing Richardson from the equation. This year, Joe Flacco is fourth in EPA and CPOE composite among quarterbacks with a minimum of 125 snaps. Last year, Gardner Minshew had one of the worst completion percentage over expectation ratings (an average of -3.3 per game) and the Colts still outscored the Texans on the season and finished within a game of the playoffs.”

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 18th, up 3

“They are 4-3, but they haven’t looked that good in getting there. Yet here they are one game behind the Texans in the division as they face them this week in Houston.”

Frank Schwab, Yahoo: 19th, up 2

Most people would probably be surprised to see the Colts are over .500. They haven’t been impressive. The story of their season is Anthony Richardson’s struggles throwing the football. But they’re staying in the hunt, and presumably will get star players like Jonathan Taylor and DeForest Buckner back soon.

Josh Kendall, The Athletic: 20th, unchanged

“Indianapolis is only one game out of the AFC South lead, which is impressive considering the play it has gotten from Anthony Richardson. The second-year quarterback entered the season with a lot of hype but is 32nd in the league in completion percentage (48.5), 29th in EPA per dropback (minus-.11) and has thrown twice as many interceptions (six) as touchdown passes (three). Richardson had a 59.2 passer rating Sunday but did add 56 rushing yards to help get Indianapolis past hapless Miami.”

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 20th, unchanged

“The Colts are treading water with a backup running game, as Anthony Richardson isn’t doing anything special, but the defense is now giving them more of a fighting chance.”

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: 18th, up 2

“As Anthony Richardson gets more reps, he’ll keep getting better.”

Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 21st, down 8

“They’re 4-3 and have moved into wild-card position in the AFC. But Indy simply isn’t passing the eyeball test with sophomore Anthony Richardson, the league’s least accurate (48.5%) and efficient (60.0 rating) quarterback among those with at least 100 passes. (Though apparently the NFL likes what it sees, flexing the Colts into a Sunday night date at Minnesota in Week 9.)”

Stephen Holder, ESPN: 20th, unchanged

“Jaylon Jones was drafted to compete as a depth player, but he has been elevated out of necessity to the Colts’ top outside cornerback situation. The 22-year old, who was drafted in the seventh round in 2023, ranks fifth in the league with eight passes defensed this season. Jones has also created a “tight window” on 33% of throws on which he has been targeted, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That’s a respectable number for a long-shot player who has been asked to play a huge role in his second season.”

Dane Arlauckas, AS: 15th, up 3

“The Colts are the most under the radar team in the NFL. Their quarterback situation gives us the impression that this team isn’t a real contender in the AFC South, but they are just a game back of the Texans despite the questions surrounding Anthony Richardson. Richardson got the start, and completed just 10-of-24 passes as the Colts scraped by the Dolphins. It’s clear the Colts want their young QB to take the keys to the car, but Joe Flacco puts them in a better position to win now.”

NFL Week 8 schedule

All times ET

Thursday, Oct. 24

Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. ET (Prime Video)

Sunday, Oct. 27

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Green Bay Packers at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)

Arizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)

New York Jets at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)

Philadelphia Eagles at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox)

Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox)

Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)

Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)

Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)

Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock/Universo)

Monday, Oct. 28

New York Giants at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC/ESPN Deportes)

Colts 2024 schedule

all times ET

Sept. 8: Texans 29, Colts 27

Sept. 15: Packers 16, Colts 10

Sept. 22: Colts 21, Bears 16

Sept. 29: Colts 27, Steelers 24

Oct. 6: Jaguars 37, Colts 34

Oct. 13: Colts 20, Titans 17

Oct. 20: Colts 16, Dolphins 10

Oct. 27: at Houston, 1 p.m., CBS

Nov. 3: at Minnesota, 8:20 p.m., NBC

Nov. 10: vs. Buffalo, 1 p.m., CBS

Nov. 17: at N.Y. Jets, 8:20 p.m., NBC, Peacock

Nov. 24: vs. Detroit, 1 p.m., Fox

Dec. 1: at New England, 1 p.m., CBS

Dec. 15: at Denver, 4:25 p.m., CBS

Dec. 22: vs. Tennessee, 1 p.m., CBS

Dec. 29: at N.Y. Giants, TBD

Jan. 5: vs. Jacksonville, TBD

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Indianapolis, IN

Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict

Published

1 hour ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – More than a dozen protesters gathered at Military Park. In a dramatic escalation, the US and Israel engaged in military strikes against Iran and protesters are upset, including veteran Lucas Lee.

“I know what it’s like to be on the edge, potentially going somewhere where your life is at risk. And I believe this war is something we shouldn’t be fighting in. It’s important to stand up, because not only is standing up the right thing to do, but it could potentially save lives.”

Protesters held signs that read ‘Hands off Iran’ in front of the corner of West and New York intersection.
Several cars honked in support. Democratic City County Councilor Jesse Brown attended as well.

IPS School Teacher Noah Leininger organized the Anti-Iran War Rally. “The United States spends 1 trillion dollars on war every single year. While there are massive unmet needs right here in our own communities. People need jobs, healthcare, housing, and schools. And instead our government spends a trillion dollars every year to go and bomb elementary school age girls,” he said.

Iranian officials say the U.S. and Isreal hit a girl’s primary school in southern Iran killing at least 115 people.

The US strikes have not only created tension in the Middle East, but also here at home.
Mark Oakley who supports military action Iran, confronted the anti-war protesters. “Freedom for Iranian people, freedom for Americans. Freedom for everybody, but this [protest] is not it. When you’re debating about innocent people getting killed. You are debating the wrong thing.”

Additional police were called in to de-escalate the situation.

Chris Gomez, attended the protest because he wanted to take action. “Trump ran on a platform called the party of peace. That’s what Republicans run their policy on a party of peace, but look where we are now.”

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers

Published

13 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Opera will host a free concert in honor of Black History Month Saturday night at 6 p.m. to celebrate the legacy and artistry of Black composers. The event features a range of spirituals, contemporary art songs, and operatic works performed a cappella.

Lyndsay Moy, the director of education, outreach, branding and design for Indianapolis Opera, said the event is designed to keep this specific music accessible to the public.

Resident artist Ian Williams, describes the concert as a mix of traditional repertoire and new songs. The artists will perform without microphones or instrumental accompaniment. “All of this is just straight out of our voices, so there’s no microphones,” Williams said. “We’re just creating the sound ourselves and putting it into a space, so it’s a little bit of, a little bit of breathing, a little bit of extra work there, yes.”

“So many composers tonight have been so influential in the broader vocal canon and it’s important and wonderful for us to be able to offer this kind of concert for free to our community to keep this kind of music accessible and more importantly to feature these fabulous artists like Ian so much talent,” Moy said.

Williams noted that the concert allows the organization to celebrate classic composers who were not well known during their own time. “It’s very cool because we get to celebrate some of classic composers all the way back to William Grant Steele, who was one of the who wrote operas back in the day, even during the time of Porgy and Bess, but he wasn’t, it wasn’t well known,” Williams said.

One of the featured pieces is the traditional spiritual “Fix Me Jesus,” which was arranged for the University of Michigan choir. Williams said the arrangement by Stacey Gibbs maintains the traditional spiritual style while adding rich harmonies.

While formal tickets for the event are currently sold out, those interested in attending can email tickets@indyopera.org to be added to a waitlist.

Check out the video above to hear a sneak peak of the Indianapolis Opera!

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