Alright, folks, let’s talk some football! Week 7 is in the books, and boy, did it deliver some surprises. And I’m not just talking about trick plays or unexpected upsets (though there were plenty of those too!). I’m talking about a team that straight-up made me eat my words – literally.

Yep, you guessed it: the Indianapolis Colts.

Mea Culpa: Colts, You Got Me Good!

Now, I’m not one to shy away from admitting when I’m wrong. And when it comes to the Colts, I was singing a different tune just a week ago. I wasn’t buying the hype. I said they weren’t the real deal, that their success was a fluke.

Famous last words, right?

Then they go out there and absolutely dominate the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. A 38-24 beatdown that left no doubt. And, well, I had to pay the piper.

During our CBS Sports HQ recap show, I promised that if the Colts proved me wrong, I would eat my words. And I did. Sort of. I mean, I didn’t swallow the paper, but I definitely chewed on a piece, drenched in hot sauce. It wasn’t pleasant, let me tell you.

But hey, a promise is a promise. And more importantly, the Colts earned it. They forced me to admit it: The Colts are for real.

Why the Colts are Legit

So, what changed? What made me do a complete 180 on Indianapolis? It’s not just one thing, it’s a combination of factors that are all clicking at the right time.

• The Offense is EXPLOSIVE: They are currently averaging a league-leading 33.1 points per game. That’s insane! They’ve put up 232 points in just seven games. Even the legendary Peyton Manning-led Colts teams didn’t consistently reach those numbers. This year, the Daniel Jones-led Colts have somehow surpassed that mark.
• Two MVP Candidates?: Speaking of Jones, he’s playing out of his mind. But he’s not the only MVP contender on this team. Running back Jonathan Taylor is a legitimate threat to take home the hardware, too.
• Taylor-Made for Success: Taylor is an absolute beast. He had three touchdowns against the Chargers. That’s his third three-TD game of the season! He leads the league in rushing yards (697) and touchdowns (11). He’s a threat as a receiver out of the backfield, too. In today’s NFL, it’s rare for a running back to win MVP, but Taylor is forcing his way into the conversation.
• Jones is Dealing: As for Jones, he’s been incredibly efficient. He’s completing 71% of his passes, ranking fifth in the league in passing yards. He’s thrown for 10 touchdowns and is averaging a stellar 8.4 yards per attempt. The Colts are hitting on a ton of big plays, and Jones is the one pulling the trigger.
• Defense on the Rise: The Colts’ defense has improved significantly. New coordinator Lou Anarumo has done a great job implementing his system. The defense still has room to grow, particularly on the back end, but they’re playing with more aggression and creating more turnovers.

Biggest Movers and Shakers in the Power Rankings

Okay, so the Colts are my new No. 1. But what about the rest of the league? Here’s a rundown of some of the biggest movers and shakers in my Week 8 Power Rankings:

1. Indianapolis Colts (6-1): (Up 3) As I said, they’re an offensive juggernaut right now. Shane Steichen is looking like a shoo-in for Coach of the Year.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (4-3): (Up 9) Patrick Mahomes has his receivers back, and the offense looks dynamic again. The defense also stepped up in a big way, shutting out the Raiders.
3. Green Bay Packers (4-1-1): (Up 1) They’re sitting pretty at 4-1-1, but I still don’t think we’ve seen the best of this team. The pass rush was dominant against the Cardinals.
4. Detroit Lions (5-2): (Up 1) What they did to the Buccaneers’ offense on Monday night, with a makeshift secondary, was truly impressive. And Jahmyr Gibbs? That dude is special.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2): (Down 4) The offense struggled against the Lions, and the injuries are starting to pile up. Still, they lead the NFC South.
6. Denver Broncos (5-2): (No Change) Rallying to beat the Giants is a positive, but they have issues. Why do they always start so slow on offense?
7. Seattle Seahawks (5-2): (No Change) That defense is getting meaner every week. The pass rush is legit, and the offense is hitting on big plays. They’re playing really well right now.
8. Los Angeles Rams (5-2): (No Change) No Puka Nacua? No problem. Matthew Stafford spread the ball around and threw for five touchdowns against the Jaguars. He’s firmly in the MVP conversation.