Indianapolis, IN
‘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
TODAY
Early clouds give way to gradual clearing, and the afternoon turns much nicer than the damp start might suggest. Highs reach the mid 70s, with a west-southwest breeze around 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Once we get past the morning gray, this looks like a very usable day for outdoor plans, just a bit breezy at times.
TONIGHT
Clouds increase again overnight, and scattered showers with a few thunderstorms may arrive late, mainly after 3 a.m. Lows settle in the mid 50s, with a light breeze becoming northerly late. Most of the evening stays quiet, but by early Sunday morning a few neighborhoods could hear some rain on the roof.
MOTHER’S DAY
Cooler than Saturday, with a mix of clouds and some breaks of sun along with the chance for an isolated shower. Highs top out in the mid 60s, and a north breeze around 5 to 10 mph adds a slightly cooler feel. It is not a washout, but it is also not as nice as Saturday afternoon, especially south of Indianapolis where a stray shower may hang on longer.
TOMORROW NIGHT
Partly cloudy and cooler, with lows in the mid 40s and a north northeast breeze around 5 to 10 mph. The air dries out nicely, and this looks like a quiet, comfortable night across central Indiana.
MONDAY
Bright and seasonably cool with sunshine taking over. Highs reach the mid 60s, with a light north wind around 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. This looks like one of the cleaner forecast days of the stretch, great for errands, practices, or getting outside without weather trouble.
MONDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear and chilly again, with lows in the low to mid 40s and light wind fading late. Quiet weather continues, and there are no meaningful travel concerns overnight.
TUESDAY
Another decent start, then clouds begin to increase later with a chance for showers and thunderstorms after mid afternoon. Highs reach the mid 60s, with a light south southwest breeze around 5 to 10 mph. Most of the day still looks usable, but the late afternoon and evening carry the next better rain signal.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Showers and thunderstorms become more likely for part of the night before activity starts to ease later on. Lows hold in the low to mid 50s, with a south-southwest wind around 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. It does not look like a high-end severe setup right now, but it is enough of a signal to keep an eye on late evening plans.
WEDNESDAY
A leftover shower is possible early, then the trend turns drier with more sun returning through the day. Highs recover into the upper 60s, and a northwest breeze around 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph will make it feel a little brisker at times. The day improves as it goes, and by afternoon it should look much better than the early morning may suggest.
7 DAY FORECAST
After a milder Saturday and a small late Saturday night into Sunday shower window, the broader pattern settles down for Sunday night and Monday with quieter, cooler weather in place. The next more meaningful chance for rain arrives Tuesday into Tuesday night as another system approaches, then drier conditions return Wednesday as that system pulls away. Temperatures run in the 70s Saturday, slip back into the 60s Sunday through Tuesday, then edge a little milder again by midweek. Confidence is best in the quiet Sunday night through Monday stretch, while the exact timing of Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night rain could still wobble a bit.
Editor’s note: This interview is part of our ‘Meet the Candidates’ show. Watch past episodes here.
After working in education for about 15 years, Andrea Hunley won her first bid for political office four years ago in an Indiana Senate district covering the core of Indianapolis.
On May 8, Hunley, 42, officially launched her campaign for an office that she says feels closer to home: Indianapolis mayor.
About a year ahead of the May 2027 mayoral primary, Hunley sat down with IndyStar on May 5 to discuss what she hopes to accomplish as mayor, why her candidacy differs from her challengers, and how she thinks about hot-button issues like education, public safety and data centers.
At this point, Hunley will face longtime Indianapolis City-County Councilor Vop Osili and Department of Public Works administrator David Bride. Both candidates will also be invited for sit-down interviews with IndyStar in the coming weeks.
Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTSmith@indystar.com. Follow him on X @jordantsmith09 and Bluesky @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social.
The Indianapolis Colts announced the addition of 12 undrafted free agents for the rookie minicamp beginning Friday:
>> Cam Ball, DT, Arkansas: Appeared in 50 games with 31 starts, making 138 tackles, 12.5 for loss with 3 sacks at 6-4, 310 pounds. Ball was a team captain last season, named to the 2025 AFCA Good Works Team and on the 2024 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll.
>> Austin Brown, S, Wisconsin: Received a $272,000 guarantee, a source told IndyStar. The 6-0, 199-pounder played in 50 games with 24 starts), totaling 142 tackles with eight passes defensed. Brown was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten choice (2023-25) and named CSC Academic All-District in 2025.
>> Tahj Chambers, LB, Mississippi: Played in 15 games in one season at Mississippi with 45 tackles and three passes defensed. The 6-2, 231-pounder also played in 43 games at Missouri State with 196 tackles, 17 for loss, 3.0 sacks and eight passes defensed. Chambers made the MVFC honor roll in 2022 and 2024 and was selected to the Missouri State AD’s Honor Roll in Fall 2022 and Fall 2024.
>> Sahmir Hagans, WR, Duke: The 5-11, 188-pounded played in 57 games at Duke with 152 catches for 1,586 yards and 14 touchdowns. Hagans also returned 24 kicks for a 31.5-yard average and two touchdowns and five punts for a 30.6-yard average with a score. He was a second team All-ACC selection as a return specialist in 2025 and named to the 2022 ACC All-Academic Team.
>> E.J. Horton, WR, Purdue: Played in 41 games between Purdue, Florida Atlantic, West Virginia and Marshall in a college career that began in 2020. He made 53 catches for 735 yards and four touchdowns.
>>Mitchell Melton, DE, Virginia: Played at Virginia and Ohio State as a 6-3, 253-pound defensive end with 60 tackles, 16.5 for loss, 8 sacks, 4 passes defensed and 3 forced fumbles. Last season he started 14 games at Virginia and was honor mention All-ACC.
>>Lincoln Pare, RB, Texas State: At 5-8, 190 pounds, Pare played in 38 games with 2,454 yards and 25 touchdowns on 477 carries, plus 78 receptions for 644 yards and 3 scores. Prior to earning second team All-Sun Belt last season, Pare played at Arkansas State. His last name is pronounced Pair-ee.
>>Nolan Rucci, OL, Penn State: At 6-8, 314 pounds, Rucci was a tackle at Penn State and Wisconsin, making 18 starts. He was honor mention All-Big Ten.
>> Raylen Sharpe, WR, Arkansas: At 5-9, 173 pounds, Sharpe was a receiver and ball carrier at Arkansas, Fresno State, Missouri State and Houston with 181 catches for 2,413 yards and 14 touchdowns, plus 12 carries for 122 yards and he threw a touchdown pass. He was honor mention All-Mountain West in 2024 and first team All-MVFC in 2023 while also running track in 2021 at Houston.
>>Geno VanDeMark, C, Alabama: Earned starts at right guard, left guard and center at 6-4, 314 pounds. Also played 18 games, with eight starts at Michigan State.
>>Jordon Vaughn, RB, Abilene Christian: He’s 6-3, 228 pounds and rushed for 1,018 yards and 11 touchdowns on 179 caries in 30 games. Also played at Wyoming for two seasons.
>>West Weeks, LB, LSU: The 6-2, 230-pound linebacker appeared in 54 games between LSU and Virginia with 164 tackles, 12.5 for loss and 5 sacks.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
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