After back-to-back loses, the national media is beginning to slide the Colts down the board with the idea that this Colts team is under-performing. A second loss in a row this time against the Rams proved that this team isn’t ready yet to play against top opponents. Whether this team is truly a legitimate contender will be cemented in the coming weeks, with a big bout looming against the Titans on Sunday. Here is how the Colts stack up in the week 3 power rankings.
ESPN has the Colts 23rd
It’s very, very slim pickings when it comes to options for the Colts in this category. Every third reception by Pascal has been a touchdown for him through the first two weeks of the season. He is the only Colts player who has a touchdown reception, as he has three scores and nine receptions for 81 yards this season. Fantasy selections off the Colts could get even slimmer if starting quarterback Carson Wentz has to miss an extended period of time due to his ankle injury.
NFL.com has the Colts 23rd
Carson Wentz sprained both ankles on one Aaron Donald takedown in Sunday’s loss to the Rams, and that feels like something that could only happen to Carson Wentz in 2021. As colleague Gregg Rosenthal noted on Sunday’s Around The NFL Podcast, the modern-day Wentz plays with a frantic energy that’s almost unnerving. It’s all stumbles and ducks and dives and flops and flips — it’s no surprise he struggles to stay healthy. If Wentz is unable to go in a pivotal Week 3 tilt against the Titans, the 0-2 Colts could be very much up against it with unproven Jacob Eason at QB. Eason failed to inspire in his limited work against Los Angeles.
CBS Sports has the Colts at 22nd
At 0-2, with Carson Wentz banged up, they face a huge division game this week against the Titans on the road. They have to be better on defense as well.
USA Today has the Colts at 26th
How about WR Zach Pascal taking advantage of T.Y. Hilton’s absence, snatching an AFC-leading three TD receptions among his nine catches.
Bleacher Report has the Colts at 26th
The schedule-makers didn’t do the Indianapolis Colts any favors to open the season. The team’s first five games are brutal: vs. Seattle, vs. Los Angeles, at Tennessee, at Miami and at Baltimore. Sunday’s three-point loss to the Rams drops the Colts to 0-2 and into a tie for last place with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South. As if that winless record and brutal schedule aren’t troubling enough, now the team could be without quarterback Carson Wentz against the Titans. Wentz sprained both ankles against the Rams, and he told reporters there was just no way he could have re-entered the game. “Felt it right away. Tried to tape it up and do everything I could to finish the game,” Wentz said. “… I’ve sprained my ankle probably 100 times since I was a kid. This one I just couldn’t play on it.” If Wentz is out and Jacob Eason has to start against the Titans, Dolphins and/or Ravens, the Colts have little chance of winning. And Indy’s playoff aspirations could be toast.
Pro Football Network has the Colts at 27th
The Colts aren’t a terrible football team, but they do have a lot of issues. Their biggest to start the season has been their schedule. They’ve played two outstanding teams in the Seahawks and Rams. Their offensive line is struggling, but that’s not entirely their doing.
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