Who had the Indianapolis Colts leading the AFC after Week 7 of the 2025 season? Their NFL-best 6-1 record isn't a misprint, neither is their two-game lead in the race to win their first AFC South title since 2014.
The Colts for certain look like they will end their four-year playoff drought. Shane Steichen has gone from the hot seat to start the season to the short list of candidates for NFL Coach of the Year.
The AFC, outside of the resurgent 4-3 Chiefs looks there for the taking. The 4-2 Bills are the middle of a skid. The 4-2 Steelers are flawed. The Colts just cooled off the 4-3 Chargers, 38-24 on Sunday. They also edged the 5-2 AFC West-leading Broncos earlier in the season. The 1-5 Ravens are no longer a threat to win anything big.
While Indianapolis waits for that now epic matchup at Kansas City in Week 12 after a bye to pass its biggest test of the season, here's a look at the numbers behind the Colts' impressive season so far:
5 statistical reasons for Colts' 6-1 start
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Jonathan Taylor is an MVP candidate
Taylor, barring injury, is headed toward his second league rushing title, the last coming in 2021. After ripping the Chargers for 94 rushing yards and 3 more TDs, Taylor is up to a league-leading 697 yards and 10 TDs. That puts him on pace for 1,692 yards and 24 TDs over 17 games. When he swept those categories four years ago, he rushed for 1,811 yards and 18 TDs.
MORE: How Jonathan Taylor scored the first octopus of the 2025 season
Taylor is also up to 23 catches for 185 yards, tracking to have 55 catches for 449 yards, which would both be career receiving highs. Taylor is an NFL MVP candidate who is almost a lock for Offensive Player of the Year right now.
Tyler Warren looks like the steal of the 2025 draft
The rookie versatile and explosive tight end was the missing key chess piece for Steichen's offense. He's proved every bit worth of the first-round draft pick the Colts used on him in 2025.
Warren is up to 33 receptions for 438 yards, scoring his fourth total TD against the Chargers. He's on pace for 80 receptions for 1,063 yards.
Brock Bowers' tight end rookie records of 112 receptions and 1,194 yards seem safe for now. But there's no doubting Warren's big-play impact in the Colts' offense creates mismatches with his size, speed, athleticism and route-running. He has rejuvenated and boosted the entire incumbent receiving corps, led by wideout Michael Pittman Jr.
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Daniel Jones has rejuvenated his career in Indianapolis
Steichen's decision to go with Jones over Anthony Richardson as the Colts' starting QB has been fortuitous. Jones is a much better fit for Indianapolis' run-heavy, intermediate passing offense than the quick scrambling, deep-ball focused Richardson.
Jones is up to 1,780 passing yards with 10 passing TDs. He's still on pace for only 3 interceptions and hasn't lost a fumble yet. He is averaging a robust 8.3 yards per attempt with a passer rating of 105.7. He also has a completion percentage of 71 percent.
Jones is on track to shatter his career bests from six roller-coaster seasons with the Giants. He is a completely different QB in every way and most importantly, his elite ball protection. Jones is also getting elite pass protection, taking only six sacks in the seven games.
MORE: Revisiting Daniel Jones' time with the New York Giants
The Colts lead the league in scoring behind a high-powered offense
The Colts went into Week 7 with the fourth-best offense in total yardage and improved that with 401 total yards against the Chargers. They were 13th in that category last season and have also gone from eighth to fifth in rushing offense.
The biggest difference, however, is in scoring. The Colts lead the NFL in points per game averaging 33.1. Last season, they were 17th with 22.2 point per game. That means they are scoring a touchdown, field goal and extra point more per game this year than in 2024.
The Colts' defense is a strong complement
Don't forget about new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who did a bang-up job with the Bengals when he could play off an elite scoring offense with Joe Burrow. The Colts ranked 29th in total defense (yards allowed) last season and this season are up to 21st.
Perhaps the most glaring fact is that the defense has improved from 24th against the run to 11th. The Colts went from 24th in scoring defense in the league last season to sixth this year. Last but not least, Indianapolis is up to a plus-9 turnover margin after posting a minus-4 last season.
For now, the Colts are a dominant team worthy of their conference-leading record and should be a force to be reckoned with through the AFC playoffs.