2023 NFL Power Rankings: Indianapolis Colts

Young riser: WR Josh Downs

Third-round pick Downs, 22, has been consistently impressive this season, ranking third among rookie receivers in receptions (33) and receiving yards (401). He's also showing his elusiveness as he now is fourth among rookies in yards after the catch (184). Notably, more than half of Downs' production -- 209 yards on 10 receptions -- has come on third downs, where he is showing himself to be particularly dependable. Only four receivers in the NFL -- not just rookies -- have more yardage on third downs. -- Stephen Holder

It's likely going to be Gardner Minshew the rest of the way, and boy, is he a roller coaster. Shane Steichen knew this going in, as he saw how volatile Minshew can be in a starting role during their time together with the Eagles. There was a lot of good in the loss to the Browns -- two passing touchdowns and two rushing scores -- but still too much bad. His four turnovers led to 17 Cleveland points, including a strip-sack TD. This comes on the heels of a four-turnover performance in Week 6 at Jacksonville. It might be time to recalibrate exactly what a successful season might end up looking like for Indianapolis, considering both the 2-1 start and Anthony Richardson's season-ending injury. The Colts should have won this game, but the margin for error shrinks with every turnover Minshew dishes out.

Gardner Minshew did some good things against the Browns. But he also did a lot of bad things. That's just what happens when he plays quarterback.

Reasons for optimism after hanging 38 points on Cleveland's top-ranked defense with RB Jonathan Taylor posting 120 yards from scrimmage — his first time over the century mark since December 4.

One question: Should Shane Steichen be coach of the year?

He won't win the award because this team probably will finish with a losing record, but he deserves some recognition. In his first season as Colts head coach, Steichen has had to juggle quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew because of Richardson's injuries, which have now ended the promising rookie's season. Plus, the Colts didn't have running back Jonathan Taylor for the first month of the season, and they just put up 38 points on a Browns defense that held the 49ers to 17 a week earlier.

The Colts continue to tell us they do not care that we want to write them off. There's not much on paper that makes you think this team should be so feisty, but there they were with 450 yards and 38 points against the best defense in the league. It didn't translate to a win, but it's still more than most would expect.

You didn't expect to see Gardner Minshew and Lamar Jackson linked today, but here it is: Minshew joined Jackson as the only QBs in the NFL this season to have two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in a game, according to Fox 59/CBS 4's Mike Chappell. Minshew is the first Colts QB to ever pull off that feat. Minshew has some really good games, like Sunday. What's holding him back is the bad ones, which are too plentiful.

They're showing signs of progress, but they need to get some wins.

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