The Indianapolis Colts are off to their best start since 2009. In the 2009 season, the Colts advanced all the way to Super Bowl XLIV, where they lost to the New Orleans Saints.
The Colts (5-1, 1-0 AFC South) have had an easy schedule this season. They rank 28 out of 32 teams in strength of schedule, according to ESPN’s NFL Power Index. Nonetheless, the Colts have taken care of the teams with losing records, as they are 4-0 against such teams.
The biggest question mark for the Colts heading into the 2025 season was the quarterback position. Even more questions arose when Daniel Jones was named the starter over former fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson Sr.
Jones has done nothing but silence critics and exceed expectations through week six, as he leads the NFL in quarterback rating and is third in the NFL in completion percentage.
2025 first-round pick Tyler Warren has meshed into the Colts offense, as he leads the team in receiving yards and ranks first among tight ends in receiving yards. Warren has lined up in the backfield as a lead blocker, scored a rushing touchdown and even had a passing attempt in week five against the Raiders.
Alongside Warren, the Colts’ offensive line unit has given up only five sacks this season. The offensive line unit has received national praise, as it is ranked first in the Pro Football Focus NFL offensive line rankings.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen often uses the words “resilient” and “complementary” to describe his team, as can be seen in this postgame interview from their week five win against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Colts’ resiliency was tested this past week as they were in a back-and-forth battle with the Arizona Cardinals who had the ball on the Colts’ nine yard line with less than a minute left in the game. The Colts forced an incompletion on fourth down to seal the game,.
“There’s definitely a sense of urgency for us right now,” Taylor said in an ESPN interview. “We understand that the more you win, the bigger the target you have on you, and we realize that this will not get any easier. We have to find a way to up the ante, and we know that everyone is going to give us their best shot.”
All-pro running back Jonathan Taylor has arguably been the biggest piece to the offensive success for the Colts. Taylor leads the NFL in rushing attempts, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
The Colts currently stand at 5-1 and are in first place in the AFC South. If the Colts hold onto this position, they would be division champions for the first time since 2014.
The Indianapolis Colts travel to California to face the 4-2 Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday, Oct. 19, where they have an opportunity to make a statement road victory. The winner of this matchup will take over sole possession of first place in the AFC. The game kicks off at 4:05 p.m. EDT on CBS.
