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Indianapolis Colts 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings

PFM Archetype Offense Has to Carry It

76.1PFM 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#23Daniel Jones · QB Limbo

Season OutlookIn the Playoff Mix

Head coachShane Steichen

Offensive coordinatorJim Bob Cooter

Defensive coordinatorLou Anarumo

Offense78.3No. 20

Defense74.9No. 26

Coaching Direction73.4No. 24

PFM Team DNA

Indianapolis Colts Team DNA

View all NFL team rankings

PFM category scores · 0–100 scale

QB Stability77.0No. 23 in NFLConcern

Offense78.3No. 20 in NFLWatch

Explosiveness71.4No. 24 in NFLMajor Concern

Roster Strength75.0No. 27 in NFLConcern

Franchise Direction72.8No. 27 in NFLMajor Concern

Coaching Direction73.4No. 24 in NFLMajor Concern

Defense74.9No. 26 in NFLConcern

Recent Performance80.7No. 10 in NFLWatch

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

Coaching Direction

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.

Indianapolis' Offense Is Better Than the Overall Ranking

Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line give Indianapolis a real matchup problem. The offense ranks 20th and is the part opponents have to take away first.

Indianapolis' Depth Is the Pressure Point

The roster ranks 27th. The roster question centers on Daniel Jones’ Achilles recovery and a thinner receiving group after major turnover.

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 79.2. Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans create the toughest stretch, but 4 games against current top-10 teams keep the schedule from belonging at either extreme.

Difficulty Rank#22No. 1 is toughest

Opponent PFM Avg.79.2Average across opponents

Next 3 Avg.84.3Upcoming opponents

Top-10 Matchups4Games vs. current top 10

Away games left8

Top-10 road opponents3

Week 1

vs. Baltimore Ravens81.1 PFM · #15

Sep 13 · 1:00 pm

Home

Week 2

at Kansas City Chiefs87.2 PFM · #3

Sep 20 · 8:20 pm

AwayTop 10

Week 3

vs. Houston Texans84.8 PFM · #10

Sep 27 · 1:00 pm

HomeTop 10

Toughest remaining opponent: Kansas City Chiefs at 87.2 PFM.

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

PFM Reporter

Keenan Allen Gives Indianapolis Needed Receiver Depth

Reported

Indianapolis is signing Keenan Allen to a one-year deal, adding a proven possession receiver to a group PFM already identifies as thin.

Allen caught 81 passes for 777 yards last season and gives Shane Steichen a dependable option while Alec Pierce works back from ankle surgery. He is 34, so this is not a major ceiling-changing move but it directly addresses one of the roster's clearest weaknesses.

By Justin Fuhr

Analysis updatedAugust 18, 2026

Sources: Report: Six-time Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen signing with Colts on one-year deal

Around the League

League Context

Closest Team DNA Match

Built Like Miami Dolphins

Miami DolphinsMatch distance: 2.29 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