At what point do we start taking the Colts seriously?
With their Week 8 win over the Titans, Indianapolis is now 7-1 on the season. They’ve won four straight games and look like one of the best teams in the AFC. Yet despite their hot start, it seems like nobody wants to give the Colts the credit they deserve.
So, did Indy simply benefit from a hot start to the season or are they true Super Bowl contenders? It’s hard to ignore their performance to date. So, when do we stop calling it a fluke and give this team their due? Before we get there, let’s take a closer look at this year’s Colts squad and you can decide for yourself.
A Franchise in Transition
It’s easy to forget that this team was in complete disarray heading into the season; longtime owner Jim Irsay passed away in May, their roster was being reshaped and they were starting their seventh different Week 1 quarterback in seven years. Not exactly a recipe for success.
Head coach Shane Steichen returned for his third season on the Colts sidelines and the team made some nice additions via free agency and the draft, but expectations remained low outside of Indianapolis.
Few people thought this team was capable of putting together a winning record in 2025, let alone compete for an NFL championship, but that’s the trajectory the Colts are on through the season’s opening eight weeks.
What’s Different This Season?
This Colts roster has a lot of carryover from last year, but this team looks very different from the one that went just 8-9 last season. Here are the key differences that have helped Indy thrive in 2025.
Daniel Jones
The biggest change in Indianapolis is undoubtedly at the quarterback position. Having Jones under center has been transformational for this young Colts team. While he’s always been able to pick up yards with his legs, it’s his performance in the pocket that’s been the biggest surprise this season. If Jones can maintain this elite level of play, he may find himself in the MVP conversation by season’s end.
Jonathan Taylor
Having a dominant running back is nothing new for Indianapolis, but this year seems different. Taylor currently leads the league in rushing with 850 yards, but it’s his ability to find the end zone that’s been the real difference. The former All-Pro rusher leads the NFL in touchdowns (14) and could end up threatening the all-time touchdown record (31) set by LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006.
Tyler Warren
Indy has a solid group of receivers with guys like Michael Pittman, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce, but Warren’s impact on the team’s passing game has been undeniable. The rookie tight end has lived up to the hype since being taken 14th overall out of Penn State in the draft this offseason. If he can keep it up, we could be looking at the first tight end to win Offensive Rookie of the Year since Mike Ditka in 1961.
Lou Anarumo
The Colts hired Anarumo in the offseason to be their new defensive coordinator and that decision is already paying dividends. Despite dealing with several injuries in their secondary, the team has responded to Anarumo’s demanding style. They’ve managed a turnover in every game this season and own the sixth-best scoring defence in the league. That’s a far cry from the team that gave up 25 points per game last year.
Cashing in on the Colts
Indy isn’t just winning games for their fans; they’re also cashing plays for NFL bettors. With a 6-2 record against the spread (ATS), Indianapolis is tied with New England for the most reliable betting team in the league this season. Week in and week out, oddsmakers set the line on Colts games, only to see them blow out their opponent and cover the point spread with ease.
If you were smart enough to bet on the Colts to win the division, you’re laughing now. The team is in complete control of the AFC South and, barring a complete collapse, should have no trouble punching their ticket to the playoffs. Even their Super Bowl odds have shortened dramatically since the start of the season, with the Colts now just +1100 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
The Road to Respect
It remains to be seen whether the Colts are contenders or pretenders, but time will reveal the truth. It’s worth pointing out that of their seven wins, only two have come against teams with a winning record (Broncos and Chargers). With winnable games against the Steelers and Falcons over the next two weeks, Indy could soon be heading into their bye week at 9-1.
With a Week 12 matchup looming against Kansas City, the football world is waiting to see how the Colts handle themselves against elite competition. A win over the Chiefs would go a long way toward legitimizing the Colts as true contenders. At that point, the rest of the league will have no choice but to give this team the respect they deserve.