KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 20: An Indianapolis Colts fan holds a sign that reads “Week One is a Liar” during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a disappointing primetime road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Indianapolis Colts now sit at 0-2 with a close must-win game this Sunday hosting the Houston Texans (also winless at 0-2) (-1.5).
For what it’s worth, only seven 0-3 teams have rebounded to make the playoffs in NFL history, and only five such teams since 1990.
Right now, the issue is on defense. Offensively, the Colts rank tied for 10th in most points scored at 26.5 average points scored through two games. However, defensively, they rank dead last at 32nd, giving up a whopping 37.0 points per game respectively.
Indianapolis is coming off back-to-back outings of allowing 500+ offensive yards, which is a streak they will certainly want to snap with their AFC South rival, the Texans and quarterback CJ Stroud coming to town.
So far, both the Colts passing and run defenses have been problematic, making both sides of the ball difficult in the short term right now. In particular, new starting defensive end Arden Key has struggled in run defense, linebackers have struggled collectively, and opposing pass rushers are picking on debuting cornerback Justin Wally in the slot. The Colts could also use more pass rushing as a unit as a whole.
Only 15% of Colts fans are confident the team is headed in the right direction (and it’s hard to blame them!):
With football’s top lieutenants, longtime general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen, already in the hot seat heading into the season, where the “sense of urgency has never been higher” has been expressed from team ownership, and those seats are getting even hotter—and we’re just two weeks into the 2026 season.