Indianapolis Colts DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs led the receiving corps in targets, receptions, and yards in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings, hauling in six of nine balls thrown his way for 60 yards. No other receiver on the team caught more than three passes. Unfortunately, Downs and the rest of the offense were unable to find the end zone, with the lone TD for the Colts coming on the defensive side of the ball. The good news is that the 23-year-old has garnered at least nine targets in five of the seven games he's played this season, making him the most reliable fantasy asset out of all the pass catchers on the team. The bad news is that the Bills are his Week 10 opponent, and they've allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to WRs thus far. The UNC product is likely a WR3 in that matchup, perhaps borderline WR2 in PPR leagues.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was held to just 48 yards on 13 carries in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings while adding three receptions on five targets for a paltry 11 yards. It was projected to be a tough assignment coming into the contest and the Vikings' rush defense lived up to its billing, although the Indy offense as a whole never really got anything going, as it accounted for just six of the total points (two FG) with the lone touchdown coming on a defensive scoop-and-score. On the bright side, Taylor draws a Bills rush defense in Week 10 that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to the running back position, with De'Von Achane gaining 121 total yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) against them in Week 9. The 25-year-old is probably a mid-range RB1 in that matchup.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco was unable to lead his team to victory after being named the team's starter, completing 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings. The 39-year-old was also charged with a fumble in the game after a handoff to running back Jonathan Taylor was not handled cleanly. It was a disappointing performance against a defense that hadn't been great against the pass thus far (seventh-most fantasy points allowed to QBs coming into the week), although it does lead the league in interceptions (14). The Colts have a home date with the Bills in Week 10 who have been stingier, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to QBs, so things may not get much better. The veteran figures to be a low-end QB2 again next Sunday.

Although a trade is considered unlikely, NFL teams have inquired with the Indianapolis Colts about the possibility of trading quarterback Anthony Richardson, who was benched in favor of veteran Joe Flacco for Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz says that several teams that he spoke to still view Richardson as a franchise-caliber QB and think that the Colts pulling the plug on him after 10 regular-season starts is "premature." Richardson's fantasy stock has taken a major hit, as he's now rostered in only 49% of Yahoo leagues after his benching, but the Colts could go back to the young signal-caller if Flacco struggles at all. Head coach Shane Steichen said himself that the Colts are "not giving up on Richardson by any means." Still, the 22-year-old's struggles as a passer have been glaring, and he's also proven to be quite injury-prone early in his NFL career.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce will get a tough draw on Sunday Night Football when his team squares off against the Minnesota Vikings. Pierce has been the epitome of a boom/bust wideout this season, with three outings of at least 16 fantasy points and five others in the single digits, including a goose egg in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans on 89% of snaps. With veteran quarterback Joe Flacco now in command of the offense, the outlook of all Colts pass-catchers is on the rise. Additionally, Minnesota has been one of the most stout units in the league this season against opposing rushing attacks, allowing just 3.9 yards per attempt. If they can be beaten anywhere, it's through the air. Still, the 24-year-old is little more than a desperation dart throw for the contest. Pierce is RotoBaller's PPR WR63 for Week 9's slate of action.