Confidence is key as Colts climb to the top of the NFL
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Daniel Jones to Jonathan Taylor is becoming an unstoppable combo in Indy. Photo: Justin Casterline/Getty Images
The Indianapolis Colts entered the season with questions surrounding their starting quarterback, their ownership and whether they could finally return to the postseason.
Why it matters: Seven weeks into their 2025 campaign, just one question remains:
- Who is going to stop the NFL's best team and their surprise star QB?
What they're saying: "I think that preparation builds confidence … and the preparation he puts in day in and day out … we can all feel it," head coach Shane Steichen said of Daniel Jones' emergence as a potential MVP candidate.
- "It's a confidence and belief in everyone in that locker room doing their job at a high level. And going out and earning it and proving it, week in and week out, every time we step on that field."
Driving the news: With a Week 4 loss to the Rams as the only blemish on an otherwise perfect season, this crew of Colts has the best record of any Colts team since 2009 when they were flawless for 15 weeks.
- The 2009 team would go on to finish 14-2 and help Peyton Manning win his fourth MVP award before falling to the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.
The latest: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night cemented the Colts as the NFL's only six-win team and gave them the league's highest win percentage.
- It also had NFL insiders eating their words about the Colts as they surged up everyone's power rankings.
- "I admit I am out of excuses for not putting Indianapolis higher," NFL writer Eric Edholm said in the Week 8 power rankings released Tuesday that place the Colts at No. 2. "The loss to the Rams and a close shave against the Cardinals had me slightly pumping the brakes, but there's no doubt the Colts have a top-three offense."
- He adds that "any serious MVP list probably needs Daniel Jones and (running back) Jonathan Taylor on it."
Stunning stat: According to The Ringer's Anthony Dabbundo, the Colts have scored more points per drive than any team this century through seven weeks.
- They lead the league in scoring with 232, good for an average of 33.1 points per game.
Zoom in: Confidence is key for Colts center Tanor Bortolini, and he says the offense is clicking because they believe they can score on every drive as long as they execute.
- "It's just kind of the standard we hold ourselves to," he said Tuesday. "If we do our jobs to the best of our ability, we're more than capable of doing this every game. And I think the cool part is really seeing all that work you've done in the offseason, throughout fall camp (and) throughout the season kind of come together."
What's next: The Colts host the 1-6 Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
- Kickoff is at 4:25pm. Tickets start around $60.