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.

Who wins NFL Week 8 game?: Colts vs Texans betting odds

When Joe Flacco felt his age: ‘I could barely call a play in the huddle’

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

East side Wawa rejected under transit-friendly Indianapolis laws, but fight could continue

Published

5 hours ago

October 23, 2025

Press Room

East side Wawa rejected under transit-friendly Indianapolis laws, but fight could continue

Indianapolis laws that promote dense, walkable development along the city’s three bus rapid transit routes survived their latest test against a formidable opponent: Wawa.

The beloved Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain has been wrangling with the city for months to continue its recent expansion into Indiana with a new store on East Washington Street near Shadeland Avenue. The Metropolitan Development Commission hearing examiner on Oct. 23 sided with city planning staff, who objected to Wawa’s plans to build a car-centric site in the corridor where IndyGo’s Blue Line bus route will open in 2028.

City planners and east side neighbors criticized Wawa’s plans to build more than 60 parking spaces and a dozen gas pumps, saying they would only add to the unsightly sprawl that dominates East Washington today. Planning staff pushed Wawa to follow transit-oriented development laws the city passed in 2021 to limit the number of gas pumps and parking spaces allowed within 1,000 feet of BRT routes.

“It’s my opinion that the standards of (transit-oriented development) do need to be upheld, so for that reason I am going to recommend denial,” Hearing Examiner Judy Weerts Hall said Thursday afternoon.

Wawa supporters argue that it’s absurd to turn away a renowned company at a site that’s currently an underused parking lot. The company sought to build a gas station and convenience store at 7140 and 7142 E. Washington St., next door to the Get Fit Athletic Club and an auto shop.

Wawa has a week to appeal the hearing examiner’s ruling before a vote by the full MDC on Nov. 19. Barnes & Thornburg attorney Joseph Calderon, who is representing Wawa, said his client has not decided whether to file an appeal.

Why transit-oriented development turned away Wawa

Indy’s transit-oriented development laws discourage buildings with spacious parking lots set back far from the road, like gas stations and chain restaurants, and require that storefronts be closer to the street with plenty of windows. Gas stations are generally banned within 600 feet of a bus rapid transit stop.

The proposed Wawa store would sit about 1,000 feet from the Sadlier Drive Blue Line station, so it could have been built with certain restrictions. But Wawa refused to meet the city’s demands to build only eight gas pumps and half the number of parking spaces. Wawa representative Patrick Moon said those demands were not “financially viable.”

Wawa critics say the Indianapolis City-County Council enacted the transit laws to keep a promise to Marion County voters, who approved a higher income tax for themselves in 2016 because they wanted fast, reliable public transit that passes close by their homes. Allowing developers to bypass those standards now would undermine the voters, they say.

“We need more housing density and mixed-use development, and all this gas station is is more of the same kind of development that has been bankrupting and blighting the area,” said east side resident Jakob Morales, a Central Indiana Cycling advocate who opposed Wawa during the hearing. “It does not contribute to (solving) the housing and homelessness crisis.”

City-County Councilor Andy Nielsen, who represents that strip of East Washington Street, also spoke in opposition to the Wawa. While acknowledging that Wawa is a quality company with popular hoagies and specialty drinks, “at the end of the day it’s another fueling station,” he said.

Nielsen’s east side constituents oppose that because there are already about two dozen gas stations within a two-mile radius of the site, according to city staff. Other groups who filed opposition letters to Wawa included IndyGo, the Irvington Community Council and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The case in favor of Wawa

Wawa supporters said it’s unrealistic to hope that strict development laws will spur more investment along East Washington Street. The proposed Wawa site sits between a cloverleaf interchange and Interstate 465, an area replete with huge parking lots that holds little appeal for pedestrians.

Calderon noted that an average of 21,000 vehicles drive down that section of Washington Street each day, according to state traffic data. Daily IndyGo ridership on Route 8, which travels the same path, pales in comparison. He said that disparity shows a clear demand for a gas station and convenience store concept — not walkable development.

“This is a suburban area that happens to be planned to be served by bus rapid transit. Fantastic. We are not trying to fight that, we’re not arguing with it. We want to serve those customers,” Calderon said. “But here’s the deal: No matter what anyone says about this degrading the Blue Line, it does not.”

Ron Phillips, president of the Warren Township Development Association, supported the Wawa because he expected the store to bring 24-30 good jobs in an area where business investment has lagged for the past four decades. Wawa is known to pay for continuing education for its employees, Phillips added.

Despite the setback, Wawa has already opened eight locations in Indiana this year, with plans to build up to 60 statewide.

Wawa’s lone Indianapolis location, on 96th Street near Keystone Avenue, opened this summer. New Central Indiana locations include those in Cumberland, Brownsburg, Plainfield and Westfield.

Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09

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Indianapolis, IN

Michael Badgley and Will Reichard Best Week 8 Fantasy Football Kickers to Stream

Published

23 hours ago

October 23, 2025

Press Room

Michael Badgley and Will Reichard Best Week 8 Fantasy Football Kickers to Stream

The NFL week is less than 24 hours away! Here are those brand new Week 8 kicker rankings ahead of Thursday and the weekend.

Fantasy on SI knows this bye week takes a half dozen choices off the board but there seem to always be options lurking. Also, there may be traps.

So, maybe several of the top kickers are taken already. That’s okay. We got you covered.

Again, it almost does not matter who is the Kicker for the Indianapolis Colts now. Spencer Shrader tears his ACL then Michael Badgley steps right up. Badgley has only averaged 6.5 points per week. On the other hand, the Colts play the Tennessee Titans this week. Tennessee allowed 41 points in Week 3 at home to this same Colts team.

That breaks down to two field goals and five extra points. Even chip shot field goals would net a kicker 11 points there. Badgley is going to have one of the higher projections because the injury situation keeps getting worse for Tennessee. Also, the defense is one of the worst in the league against the run. Indianapolis loves to use the run with the pass in a balanced manner.

What a great job by the Colts to utilize the two-minute offense to get in field goal range and put points on the board before halftime.
Michael Badgley made his 36-yard attempt to give Indianapolis the 23-3 lead.
— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) October 19, 2025

The thought process is that Badgley should get a few more chances to kick field goals this week. Tennessee is 12th in red zone defense but will allow kickers to get their points. Last week was a bit of an exception but more weeks than not have seen double digit points or projections.

Badgley is out there in most leagues. I went through at least four or five of my fantasy football leagues this week and found him available.

The problem here was a coin flip between him and Evan McPherson. McPherson has a favorable matchup and so does Reichard. The Jets have allowed 2+ field goals to kickers in six of their seven games. Guess what? The Los Angeles Chargers have done the exact same thing.

Reichard stands eighth among fantasy kickers in total points for the NFL season. He is averaging 9.8 points per week. Also, the Chargers only yielded 13 touchdowns on 26 attempts in the red zone. That means an increased opportunity for field goals. Given that Carson Wentz and the Vikings move the ball well, there may be a chance to again break the 10-point plateau.

As we mentioned above, McPherson is a solid choice but Reichard is a more consistent one. That is what it comes down even with Reichard playing on Thursday night. Basically, one must act quickly.

There is considerable risk and reward here. The risk is that Cairo Santos starts this weekend. Santos, as of press time, has not practiced. His thigh injury has kept him out the past couple of weeks. Moody goes up against a Baltimore team that has given up 3+ field goals in three of their past six games. More importantly, the Bears offense in the red zone only converts half the time (10-for-20).

Now, the pitfall err risk is that Santos heals up and kicks on Sunday. Santos was limited at practice.

#Bears Wednesday Injury Report. pic.twitter.com/ubAKC6GaSS
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) October 22, 2025

Moody is 3% owned in a few leagues and less in others. He has the leg and proved it while booming 70 yard kicks in warmups last week. Three of his eight field goals have been of the long-distance variety. Like Lucas Havrisik, one has to wait on the injury front. By the way, Brandon McManus (quad) is expected to practice Thursday. Likely, he will be considered limited.

This makes for a lot of fun debates around the fantasy football water cooler.

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