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Ranking Colts Position Groups in the AFCS: Week 5

By Mateo Caliz
Indianapolis Colts v Chicago Bears Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

What a wild week for the AFC South. The Titans continue dealing with positive COVID-19 results, and they already had to postpone their game against the Steelers. It looks like protocol was violated, so if that is indeed the case they brought this on themselves. Should they be forced to forfeit any games they would lose their grip on the division. The Texans’ top brass finally used some of their (albeit limited) brainpower and fired HC/GM Bill O’Brien. The Jaguars have now lost three games in a row, so “MinshewMania” is finally dying down.

(Clarification, because of the current situation, the Titans will not be moving in the rankings)

Quarterbacks

  1. Houston Texans
  2. Tennessee Titans
  3. Indianapolis Colts
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars

The rankings remain the same, but the gap between 1 and 3 has been drastically reduced. If the Texans lose again, Watson will not be the top quarterback in the division anymore. Tannehill did not play, so his ranking remains. There has been no indication of a reversion to the mean from his play, but he has not been as lights-out this year. Rivers is solid, he does have his fair share of mistakes, but he also makes plays that neither Minshew nor Tannehill can make. Speaking of the Jockstrap King, his performance came down to earth after an amazing Week 1 performance. Since torching Indy, Minshew has 5 TDs along with 5 turnovers, losing all 3 games.

Running Backs

  1. Titans
  2. Colts
  3. Jaguars
  4. Texans
  • The Colts running game does not look nearly as dominant as last season.
  • Robinson continues looking solid, but he is best served as a backup, not as a lead back.
  • David Johnson just can not seem to get going. He is talented, but he can not make up for the poor play of the Texans O-Line.

Wide Receivers

  1. Texans
  2. Titans
  3. Jaguars
  4. Colts
  • No changes here, the Texans receivers are perhaps the only good thing they have going for them, as Will Fuller, Brandon Cooks, Kenny Stills, and Randall Cobb are by far the best receiver group in the division.
  • I really like how Laviska Shenault Jr. has been playing, and D.J Chark has been enjoying a nice season.
  • The Colts receiving group is on its last legs, and it shows.

Tight Ends

  1. Titans
  2. Colts
  3. Texans
  4. Jaguars
  • Mo Allie-Cox’s emergence as a playmaking tight end has come hand in hand with the regression of fan favorite Jack Doyle. Trey Burton looked just fine, but with the Colts’ receiving options as limited as they are he is a welcome addition.
  • The Texans and Jaguars continued not using their tight ends in the passing game.

Offensive Line

  1. Colts
  2. Titans
  3. Jaguars
  4. Texans
  • The gap between the Colts and the other teams is not nearly as big as I expected it to be.

Defensive Line

  1. Colts
  2. Jaguars
  3. Titans
  4. Texans
  • DeForest Buckner has completely transformed this position group, as the Colts now take the top spot in this position group.
  • The Jaguars defensive line is somewhat inconsistent at rushing the passer, and sometimes depend on blitzing too much to generate pressure. They just got gashed by Joe Mixon.
  • The Texans run defense is an absolute joke.

Linebackers

  1. Colts
  2. Titans
  3. Jaguars
  4. Texans
  • Colts’ starting linebackers Darius Leonard and Bobby Okereke appear to be dealing with some injuries.
  • I would love Myles Jack on the Colts. Even though I’m more than happy with Leonard/Okereke, I feel like he could reach All-Pro levels in the Colts’ scheme.

Secondary

  1. Colts (+1)
  2. Titans (-1)
  3. Jaguars
  4. Texans
  • Honestly, who could have imagined the Colts’ secondary playing as well as they are? Rock Ya-Sin has improved drastically, Xavier Rhodes is playing solid football, and Julian Blackmon has emerged as a playmaker in the back end.
  • Jags’ rookie standout C.J Henderson injured his shoulder and was forced out of the game.

Special Teams

  1. Colts (+3)
  2. Titans
  3. Jaguars (-2)
  4. Texans (-1)
  • Respect the specs, Rodrigo Blankenship has been really consistent this season, even though he has not attempted any long kicks yet, he has been a massive improvement over Vinatieri.
  • The Colts special teams unit has bounced back after a horrible last season. Rookie Jordan Glasgow is emerging as a key playmaker. Against the Bears, he blocked a punt and made a crucial tackle on Cordarrelle Patterson.
  • Josh Lambo, the best kicker in the division by far, is dealing with a hip injury.

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