Party like it’s 2009: How the 2025 Colts have shocked the NFL as legitimate Super Bowl contenders
Time seems to be folding in on itself. The Indianapolis Colts are currently sitting atop the NFL standings, a position they haven’t held outright since 2009. The AFC is once again dominated by a cadre of incredibly talented quarterbacks vying for supremacy. The New England Patriots are leading the AFC East. Sean Payton is orchestrating his signature brand of football. And the reigning Super Bowl champions hail from the state of Pennsylvania.
Does this scenario conjure memories of 2009 for anyone else? Back then, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, and Philip Rivers reigned supreme in the AFC. Now, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow are the names echoing across the league.
Just as in 2009, New England boasts a promising young quarterback. Sean Payton is once again at the helm of a team poised to contend for the Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles, much like the Pittsburgh Steelers of 2009, are defending their Super Bowl title.
The 2009 season was memorable. Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu graced the cover of Madden, a game that consumed more of my time than studying. Now, in 2025, the Colts are posting video-game-like offensive numbers reminiscent of the Peyton Manning era, a feat unseen since (sorry, Andrew Luck). They are, arguably, the most compelling story in the NFL.
In a remarkably short span of two months, the Colts have transformed from a team facing questions about their general manager and the potential failure of a high-profile first-round quarterback (Anthony Richardson) to the undisputed leaders of the NFL, largely thanks to the unexpected emergence of Daniel Jones, a former first-round pick deemed a bust by many.
Can this year mirror the success of 2009?
The Colts are hoping for a different ending than the one they experienced in Super Bowl XLIV. Leaving the record aside, can this 2025 Colts team truly emulate the success of the 2009 squad?
There are undeniable parallels. Disregard the names for a moment. Manning and Reggie Wayne aren’t walking through that door. Focus solely on the statistical evidence.
Both the 2009 and 2025 Colts boasted the league’s most potent offenses at this stage of the season. Both led the NFL in wins, offensive EPA (Expected Points Added), points per drive, fewest punts, and fewest sacks allowed. Both also benefited from exceptional quarterback play.
