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CBS Sports Pete Prisco: Colts 7th Best in NFL Power Rankings

By Luke Schultheis

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According to CBS Sports Senior NFL Columnist Pete Prisco, the Indianapolis Colts are the 7th best NFL team overall heading into 2015:

While the Green Bay Packers (#1), New England Patriots (#2), and Seattle Seahawks (#3) should be reasonably ahead of the Colts before this season starts, the other three teams ahead of Indianapolis are certainly debatable. Specifically, the Colts are also behind the Dallas Cowboys (#4), Baltimore Ravens (#5), and Denver Broncos (#6) respectively.

The Colts did lose to the Cowboys in blowout fashion in Week 16 of last year’s regular season 42-7, so I can at least buy that one. It’s worth noting that T.Y. Hilton was out for that game though, leaving Andrew Luck without his go-to target. Although judging by the final score, it probably wouldn’t have changed the outcome.

Oct 5, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) shakes hands with linebacker Jerrell Freeman (50) after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Baltimore 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

However, the Colts beat the Ravens in Week 5 of last year’s regular season 20-13, and this is a Ravens team that lost its run zone-blocking guru in offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak (Broncos), proven deep threat Torrey Smith (49ers), and defensive line stalwart Haloti Ngata (Lions). I’m wondering what exactly changed to make the Ravens better this season?

The Denver Broncos ahead of the Colts is certainly arguable as well. While the addition of Kubiak as head coach should make for a stronger Broncos running game, quarterback Peyton Manning is another year older, and his passing offense also lost emerging tight end Julius Thomas (Jaguars) this offseason.

To me, the Broncos and Colts seem to be trending in opposite directions. Following a 24-13 Divisional Round victory against the Broncos and by adding a number of highly regarded veterans this offseason, the Colts should have the edge going forward.

Either way, Prisco ranking the Colts at #7 appears to be a far cry from Monday Morning Quarterback’s Peter King inexplicably ranking Indianapolis outside of his Top 10 at #11. The point remains that the Colts appear to be a Super Bowl contender this season and have nearly as good of a chance as any NFL team in hoisting the Lombardi Trophy come February.

If nothing else, don’t hate Prisco for ranking the Colts lower than expected at #7, he apparently is the NFL’s sportswriting version of the Grinch:

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