The Indianapolis Colts' 0-2 start has predictably caused them to tumble in the NFL power rankings.
Dropping your first two games while allowing over 1,000 yards to opponents won't buy you much grace, and that's exactly the case for the Indianapolis Colts as they ranked No. 24 out of 32 teams in ESPN's latest NFL power rankings.
Indianapolis began the season three weeks ago at No. 19, was then dominated at home by the Baltimore Ravens, 41-23, and fell to No. 22. Now, they've slid two more spots after their 33-30 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last week on Sunday Night Football.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell has also released a ranking of the 0-2 teams, and the Colts ranked third of eight, behind only the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and ahead of the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans, and Miami Dolphins.
"The good news for the Colts is that the AFC South has a combined one win through eight games, so their 0-2 start hasn't pushed them too far out of contention," Barnwell wrote. "Things also get easier from here on out. Indy has played the toughest schedule so far per ESPN's FPI, but it gets the sixth-easiest slate moving forward. After this week's game against the Texans, though, four of the next five games are on the road, including a trip to London to play the Commanders."
Offensively, the Colts have been fine, averaging 290.0 yards and 26.5 points per game. They consistently started drives backed up in their own territory and had two ill-timed turnovers in Week 1, but they were much improved in Week 2 and had plenty of answers for what the Chiefs threw at them.
Although the loss of top wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) will take some adjustment, running back Jonathan Taylor is averaging over 125.0 yards of offense per game and has four touchdowns, helping keep the offense on track.
The defense is truly what's holding the team back right now as they've gotten off to a historically poor start, with 1,029 yards surrendered being the second-most ever through an NFL team's first two games.
The pass rush has had a couple of flashes, although it's overall pedestrian. The secondary has experienced numerous communication issues, and the linebackers look lost defending both the run and pass.
After one week, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was forced to reassign on-field play-calling duties from safety Cam Bynum to MIKE linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither. While defensive players have commented that the move has improved communication on the field, there are still players underperforming and not competing at the same rate of speed as the Colts' offensive opponents.
This week, the Colts host the fellow winless Texans at home at Lucas Oil Stadium at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS.
