Indianapolis Colts 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings

76.2PFM Team Score

PFM Verdict

Why PFM Ranks the Colts Here

Jonathan Taylor gives Indianapolis a clear way to control games, and Shane Steichen can build the offense around the run game and quarterback movement. The Colts remain No. 23 because Daniel Jones’ Achilles recovery and a thinner receiving group leave the passing floor unsettled. Until the quarterback can stay healthy and threaten defenses consistently, too much depends on Taylor carrying the offense.

NFL Rank#23Current PFM ranking

AFC Rank#11Among AFC teams

QB Stability#22Daniel Jones · QB Limbo

Season OutlookIn the Playoff Mix

Head coachShane Steichen

Offensive coordinatorJim Bob Cooter

Defensive coordinatorLou Anarumo

Offense78.4No. 21

Defense75.9No. 23

Coaching Direction73.4No. 25

Regular-Season Baseline

PFM Trend

Baseline September 8, 2026

Current stateBaseline set

Indianapolis starts the regular season with a 76.2 PFM Team Score and the No. 23 spot in PFM’s NFL rankings. Movement will appear after the first published weekly ratings update.

PFM Team Score76.2

Score movementStarts here

NFL RankNo. 23

Rank movementStarts here

See Latest NFL Ranking Changes

PFM Team DNA

Indianapolis Colts Team DNA

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PFM category scores · 0–100 scale

QB Stability77.0No. 22 in NFLConcern

Offense78.4No. 21 in NFLWatch

Explosiveness71.2No. 24 in NFLMajor Concern

Roster Strength74.7No. 27 in NFLConcern

Franchise Direction72.8No. 26 in NFLMajor Concern

Coaching Direction73.4No. 25 in NFLMajor Concern

Defense75.9No. 23 in NFLConcern

Identity

Offense Is the Best Unit

Indianapolis runs through Jonathan Taylor and uses Daniel Jones' movement to keep the RPO and play-action game alive. The defense is built to play zone behind a disciplined front rather than chase constant pressure.

Pressure Point

Indianapolis Cannot Lose the RPO Threat

Shane Steichen needs an offense that still functions when Daniel Jones cannot threaten the edge. If the RPO game disappears, Jonathan Taylor sees a crowded box and the thin receiver group has to win without the run action creating space.

Week 1 matchup

AwayBAL0-0

HomeIND0-0

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PFM ROAD AHEAD

2026 Indianapolis Colts Strength of Schedule

Indianapolis sits near the middle of the league at No. 22 in schedule strength, with opponents averaging 79.1. Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans create the toughest stretch, but 2 games against current top-10 teams keep the schedule from belonging at either extreme.

Difficulty Rank#22No. 1 is toughest

Opponent PFM Avg.79.1Average across opponents

Next 3 Avg.84.3Upcoming opponents

Top-10 Matchups2Games vs. current top 10

Away games left8

Top-10 road opponents2

Week 1

vs. Baltimore Ravens81.2 PFM · #15

Sep 13 · 1:00 pm

Home

Week 2

at Kansas City Chiefs87.8 PFM · #3

Sep 20 · 8:20 pm

AwayTop 10

Week 3

vs. Houston Texans83.8 PFM · #11

Sep 27 · 1:00 pm

Home

Toughest remaining opponent: Kansas City Chiefs at 87.8 PFM.

See all 32 NFL strength of schedule rankings View Indianapolis Colts’ full schedule breakdown

PFM ReporterReportedSeptember 3, 2026

Anthony Richardson Wins Colts' Backup Quarterback Job

Shane Steichen named Anthony Richardson the Colts' No. 2 quarterback behind Daniel Jones, settling a backup competition that matters for a team PFM already grades No. 23 in QB Stability.

Richardson gives Indianapolis a more experienced fallback than Riley Leonard and preserves a different rushing element if Jones cannot play. The starting job has not changed, so this is not enough for a QB Stability increase today.

By Justin Fuhr

Sources: NFL news roundup: Colts name Anthony Richardson backup QB; Zay Flowers back at practice

Around the League

League Context

Closest Team DNA Match

Built Like Miami Dolphins

Miami DolphinsMatch distance: 2.48 rating points

Shared profile: Offense and Coaching Direction.

Indianapolis’ offense gets early-down control from the offensive line; Miami’s offense gets early-down control from the offensive line. two important parts of the roster connect the teams because each side has a football answer beyond the first option. Roster Strength is the main separator, with Miami carrying more usable depth when a game shifts away from the preferred matchup.

Where they separate: Roster Strength. Dolphins hold the stronger current rating.

View Dolphins dashboard Compare the teams

Division Pressure