Indystar 10/3 rankings

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Why the Colts hold up in NFL power rankings despite a loss
Scott Horner
Indianapolis Star


The Indianapolis Colts host the Tennessee Titans in NFL Week 5 action, and the winner gets at least a share of the AFC South lead (considering the whole division is 2-2).

Tennessee has won 5 straight games in this series, and 4 in a row at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Titans are 0-2 on the road this season, but the Colts are 0-2 at home.

A couple of players familiar to Indiana football fans are returning. Titans fourth-year receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who played at Indiana University, has 2 receiving touchdowns this season. Tenth-year defensive lineman Denico Autry played three years for the Colts (2018-20).

Will Jonathan Taylor play for the Colts?

Maybe. Colts coach Shane Steichen said the running back who requested a trade during training camp will practice this week. The Colts placed Taylor (ankle) on the Physically Unable to Perform list before the season opener, and he had to sit for four weeks.


Anthony Richardson stats

The numbers don't look great, but he is already providing a jolt of excitement. In Week 4, he was 11-of-25 for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he rushed for 56 yards and a TD. But he led a 23-point comeback against the Los Angeles Rams to force overtime. (Season: 56.9% completions, 479 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; 131 rushing yards, 4 TDs.)


As Ryan Tannehill goes, so go the Titans

The key Titans storyline this season is quarterback Ryan Tannehill's performance.

Result Completion % Yards TDs INTs
Titans wins 77.5 486 2 1
Titans losses 49.1 302 0 3
Tannehill is being sacked an average of 4 times per game.

Ryan Tannehill's Titans career vs. the Colts: 6-1 record, 67.4% completions, 183 passing yards per game, 12 TDs, 4 INTs, sacked 17 times.

Derrick Henry vs. the Colts

In 14 games against Indianapolis, Henry has rushed for 1,287 yards (5.1 per carry) and 7 TDs. He also has 20 catches, and Tennessee is 8-6 in those games. He has topped 100 rushing yards in 6 of his past 7 matchups. (His numbers are generally better against the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars than the Colts.)

NFL power rankings: Colts rise despite loss

Frank Schwab, Yahoo: 18th, up one place from last week

Jonathan Taylor is expected back at practice this week and we'll see what that means for the Colts' offense, but in the meantime let's watch Anthony Richardson make a throw that most NFL quarterbacks couldn't even dream of ...


Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 17th, up 7 spots

The Colts lost but looked great with Anthony Richardson doing it as they are now in a four-way tie for first and last in the AFC South. They also do well against the run and can still run with Richardson, Zack Moss, and soon, maybe, Jonathan Taylor. The pass defense is the major issue, though.

Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network: 14th, down 1 spot

(Anthony Richardson) has a long way to go as a passer. The passing attack may not be incredibly “efficient” with him from a completion percentage perspective, but they will be explosive. Shane Steichen is coaching to Richardson’s strengths, just as he did Justin Herbert as a rookie and Jalen Hurts as a young passer.


Walter Football: 15th, down 1 position

The Colts lost, but they have to feel optimistic about Anthony Richardson’s comeback. Richardson was terrific in the second half. It’s a shame we couldn’t see what he’d accomplish in overtime because he never had the ball.

Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 17th, up 2 places

They're off to a generally promising start. But how will that be impacted as attention invariably shifts to RB Jonathan Taylor (PUP/ankle), who's eligible to return to the team whenever Indy brass sign off … assuming trade talks are not resuscitated?

Colts odds vs. Titans

The Colts are 1.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM. The over/under is 43 total points. Moneyline: Colts -120, Titans +100.

Meet the reporters:Join IndyStar Colts Insiders Oct. 11 to discuss the team


Week 5 Colts injury report

The Colts will be without CB Dallis Flowers for the the rest of the season, and DE Kwity Paye is in concussion protocol and unlikely to play. The initial injury reports for Week 5 games are scheduled for Wednesday.

Colts leaders

Anthony Richardson (56.9% completions, 479 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; 131 rushing yards, 4 TDs); Zack Moss (280 rushing yards, 4.2 per carry, 1 TD); Michael Pittman Jr. (26 catches, 245 yards, 1 TD); Josh Downs (17 catches, 158 yards); Zaire Franklin (57 tackles, 1.5 sacks); Matt Gay (6-of-7 FGs).

Titans leaders

Ryan Tannehill (62% completions, 788 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INTs); Derrick Henry (285 rushing yards, 3.9 per carry, 2 TDs); DeAndre Hopkins (18 catches, 216 yards); Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (12 catches, 134 yards, 2 TDs); Azeez Al-Shaair (32 tackles, 3 for loss; 2 passes defended); Nick Folk (10-of-10 FGs).