After three loses to start the season, the national media continues to slide the Colts down the power rankings board. A third loss in a row this time against the Titans showed yet again the Colts issues and that they currently aren’t ready to play against the top teams in the league. Whether this team can turn the season around is still yet to be seen. Here is how the Colts stack up in the week 4 power rankings.
ESPN has the Colts 26th
The good news for Carson Wentz is that the quarterback can basically only improve from his current ranking. The bad news is there’s no guarantee of that happening, because Wentz is currently dealing with injuries to both ankles suffered in Week 2. Wentz’s 60.4% completion rate is 29th in the NFL, partially because the Colts’ receivers have been underwhelming, outside of Michael Pittman Jr. And T.Y. Hilton has been out all season with a disk injury. Wentz also has issues holding the ball too long (fifth longest in the league). The biggest key for Wentz is to get healthy. “I’m very confident that we can progress this thing along and be myself,” Wentz said.
NFL.com has the Colts 26th
If you’re starting to feel like this is a lost season for the Colts, we’re right there with you. Indy remains winless after a 25-16 loss to the rival Titans in Nashville. Carson Wentz showed grit playing on two bad ankles, but his lack of mobility is just another obstacle for a Colts offense that has to work way too hard to move the football. Wentz’s miss on an end zone throw to Michael Pittman in the third quarter will stick with him during long hours in the trainer’s room this week. The Colts need a win over the Dolphins to save their season in Week 4 and they might have to do it without All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson, who suffered an ankle injury against the Titans.
CBS Sports has the Colts 26th
They have hardly looked like a team some thought would win the AFC South. They’ve had a lot of injuries impact their roster early this season, but the 0-3 start is bad and the schedule coming up is a challenge
USA Today has the Colts 25th
Wasn’t this supposed to an elite offensive line? Thus far, it’s done an elite job getting QB Carson Wentz banged around and rendering RB Jonathan Taylor close to invisible.
Bleacher Report has the Colts 25th
Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich knows a little something about comebacks. While a player, he engineered two of the biggest comeback wins in NCAA and NFL history. In 2018, Reich’s Colts started the season 1-5 before peeling off nine wins in 10 games to make the playoffs. Given how the now 0-3 Colts have looked so far this season, there isn’t going to be any magical comeback in 2021. Despite a plus-three turnover margin in Week 3 against the rival Titans, the Colts are still searching for win No. 1 on the season. The offense sputtered against a mediocre Titans defense, managing just 265 total yards. The defense couldn’t get Tennessee off the field, allowing six third-down conversions in 12 attempts and over 34 minutes of possession. Colts linebacker Darius Leonard admitted that the start to this season has been something of a nightmare. “It just feels like a bad dream, honestly,” Leonard said. “Starting 0-3, first loss here in Tennessee. It just sucks. Got to find a way to win.” The odds of the Colts waking up and making a postseason run are longer than long: Since the NFL went to its current divisional setup in 2002, only one team that lost three straight to start the season made the playoffs.
Pro Football Network has the Colts 25th
Going with Carson Wentz was always going to be a gamble. The hope was he’d improve on some of the bad habits that plagued him in 2020. We also hoped the change of scenery would help his frame of mind. That hasn’t happened — at least not yet.
The Colts’ offensive line hasn’t been as spectacular as usual through three weeks. Injuries and poor play have definitely contributed to the front five’s lack of success, but Wentz’s heroic play style is also a problem.
Add in a group of receivers that can’t seem to separate, and you have a team that’s struggled offensively through three weeks.
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