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

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‘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?

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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.”

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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.

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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

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“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.”

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

Colts vs Titans TV coverage map in NFL Week 16

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Colts vs Titans TV coverage map in NFL Week 16


The Indianapolis Colts host the Tennessee Titans in NFL Week 16 action as the Colts try to remain in the AFC playoff race.

The CBS game will be shown in only the Indianapolis and Nashville NFL markets. It will also air in much of Indiana, Illinois and Tennessee, and in parts of Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.

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When do the Colts play the Titans in NFL Week 16?

1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis

How to watch Colts vs Titans in NFL Week 16

CBS, with Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), and Ross Tucker and Jay Feely (analysis).

How to stream, watch Titans-Colts game for NFL Week 16

The Colts-Broncos matchup will stream on Paramount+ at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. The app is available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Fans can also download NFL+ in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

Colts 2024 schedule

all times ET

Sept. 8: Texans 29, Colts 27

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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

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Oct. 20: Colts 16, Dolphins 10

Oct. 27: Texans 23, Colts 20

Nov. 3: Vikings 21, Colts 13

Nov. 10: Bills 30, Colts 20

Nov. 17: Colts 28, Jets 27

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Nov. 24: Lions 24, Colts 6

Dec. 1: Colts 25, Patriots 24

Dec. 15: Broncos 31, Colts 13

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

Dec. 29: at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m., Fox

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Jan. 5: vs. Jacksonville, TBD



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Analyst Predicts Close Call Between Titans, Colts

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Analyst Predicts Close Call Between Titans, Colts


The Tennessee Titans may be out of the playoff picture, but they find themselves in a big game against their AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts.

The Titans can play spoiler for the Colts, who need to win to hold onto their faint playoff hopes, by eliminating them from playoff contention in a win.

However, CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco doesn’t believe that will end up being the case. He predicts that the Colts will pull out a 24-17 win against the Titans.

“The Colts are alive in the playoff race — barely. The Titans are done and might be making a quarterback change. The Colts did some good things in losing to the Broncos last week in a game they should have won. They bounce back here. Colts take it,” Prisco writes.

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The Titans are certainly an underdog considering the fact that they are on the road and have won only three games all year long.

However, we have seen how difficult it can be for divisional opponents to sweep a season series, and the Colts came away with the win when the two teams met in Nashville during Week 6.

The Titans are coming into the game with a massive chip on their shoulder and a new source of energy with Mason Rudolph taking over as the starting quarterback after Will Levis was demoted earlier in the week.

The Titans have the ingredients necessary for a win against the Colts, but they still have to execute their plan in order to leave Indy on a happy flight home to Tennessee.

The Titans and Colts are set to kickoff at 12 noon CT tomorrow inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The game can be watched on CBS or streamed on Paramount+.

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Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!



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Colts’ Most Crucial X-Factors for Titans Clash

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Colts’ Most Crucial X-Factors for Titans Clash


The Indianapolis Colts (6-8) are prepped for an AFC South clash at home against the Tennessee Titans (3-11), with still plenty on the line. If the Colts win this game, their slim playoff hopes stay alive at 15%. However, a loss destroys every probability of this happening, dropping Shane Steichen’s troops to 1% (NFL.com).

What this means is Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, and the offensive line must operate better than against the Denver Broncos, but the defense and Gus Bradley must carry over their performance at Mile High.

With Indy’s 15th game nearly here, these are the two X-Factors for the offense and defense (minus Richardson) most crucial to Indianapolis walking out of Lucas Oil with their seventh win on the season and with postseason aspirations still breathing.

Offense | Josh Downs

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Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (all-white uniform) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Jets (green uniform).

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Colts’ second-year wide receiver Josh Downs has emerged as the most reliable target for Steichen’s offense throughout 2024. The former North Carolina Tarheel has reeled 56 catches on 86 targets for 626 receiving yards (11.2 average) and four touchdowns.

After being sidelined with a shoulder injury, Downs is ready to bounce back from his underwhelming three-catch, 32-yard performance at Mile High. The Titans are a gritty defense, and Downs will face off against Tennessee’s slot cornerback Roger McCreary. Downs dominated in the first meeting, catching seven of nine targets from Joe Flacco for 66 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Expect Richardson to look Downs’ way often, especially considering that Alec Pierce (concussion) won’t suit up for this one. While Michael Pittman Jr. and AD Mitchell will get their fair share of throws, Downs is the safety blanket and most reliable pass-catcher.

The Colts have to get Richardson into a rhythm throwing the football to help the young field general over the 50% completion hump; the best way to do that since there’s nearly no tight end receiving production is getting Downs the football. Expect at least eight-plus targets for Downs on Sunday.

What happens next for the Colts? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

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Defense | Laiatu Latu

Colts' defensive end Laiatu Latu (all-white uniform) gets ready to try and get past an offensive lineman.

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets offensive tackle Olu Fashanu (74) blocks against Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After a rocky start to his rookie campaign, the Colts’ rookie 15th overall selection Laiatu Latu is finding his footing in the NFL. Along with Kwity Paye, the two have combined for 10 sacks, with Latu accounting for four. Latu also has Pro Football Focus grades of 72.7 overall, 72.9 pass-rush, and 64.3 run. While the last can improve, Latu is getting to where he needs to be under Charlie Partridge.

Against the Titans, Latu will have a chance to feast on a struggling Tennessee offensive line. The Titans’ protection ranks 28th in Pro Football Focus team grades for pass-blocking (56.6), so there’s areas where Latu can exploit.

While offensive tackle JC Latham has an acceptable pass-blocking grade (66.8), he’s second on Tennessee in pressures allowed (37) behind only fellow tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere (39). Latu has a chance to wreck Mason Rudolph with constant pressures that might lead to opportunities for sacks. For the year, the former UCLA Bruin has 34 pressures and will have a clear path to success against Latham and Petit-Frere.

Expect Latu to have a field day when taking snaps against Tennessee on Sunday, with a great chance at a sack or more.

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