The Dallas Cowboys head to Indianapolis for a Week 9 matchup against a franchise, not unlike the Cowboys, that appears to be falling apart in real time. The Colts enter Sunday’s game at 2-6, riding a four-game losing streak after getting embarrassed 42-7 by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But the losing record is only part of the story. Indianapolis has already fired general manager Chris Ballard, traded away two of its biggest stars and opened the door to moving more players before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
That could make the Colts a very different team by the time Dallas takes the field. Jonathan Taylor is drawing serious trade interest, wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade, and quarterback Daniel Jones is coming off another miserable performance.
For Dallas, this is a chance to take advantage of a team facing significant uncertainty. But the Cowboys are 3-5 themselves, and after blowing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead against Arizona, they can’t afford to overlook anyone.
Daniel Jones is struggling, but Indianapolis is sticking with him
The biggest question surrounding Indianapolis is what to do at quarterback. Daniel Jones was pulled during Sunday’s blowout loss to Jacksonville after throwing two interceptions, and the conversation immediately shifted to whether Anthony Richardson would get another opportunity to start.
Steichen answered that question Monday, confirming that Jones will remain the starting quarterback for Week 9 against Dallas. Richardson entered the Jacksonville game late and completed both of his pass attempts for eight yards, but the coaching staff apparently believes Jones still gives the Colts their best chance to win.
That is becoming a difficult argument to make. Through eight games, Jones has completed 162 of 268 passes for 1,542 yards, five touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has also been sacked 22 times and has a 68.7 passer rating. His 60.4% completion rate is a career low, and his five passing touchdowns are not a good sign for an offense that entered the season expecting to compete.
Against Jacksonville, Jones completed 19 of 28 passes for 144 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions before being replaced. The Colts managed just seven points, turned the ball over three times and never looked capable of making the game competitive.
The offensive line has not helped. Indianapolis has allowed 22 sacks in eight games, and Quenton Nelson’s departure makes an already difficult situation even more complicated. Jones will work behind a reshuffled offensive line against a Dallas defense that desperately needs to generate pressure.
Jonathan Taylor could be playing his final game in Indianapolis
The biggest trade storyline in Indianapolis centers on running back Jonathan Taylor. One of the league’s most productive running backs is suddenly available, and the Colts are reportedly engaged in active discussions with multiple teams ahead of the trade deadline.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Colts are open to moving Taylor, with the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks among the teams that have shown interest.
Taylor has been one of the few consistent bright spots for Indianapolis this season. Through eight games, he has rushed for 610 yards and eight touchdowns on 148 carries, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt. He has also added 21 receptions for 202 yards, giving him 812 yards from scrimmage.
The numbers are impressive, especially considering how much the offense has struggled around him. Taylor entered Week 8 among the league leaders in rushing touchdowns and has been one of the Colts’ most dependable offensive weapons.
However, his performance against Jacksonville reminded everyone that even an elite running back cannot carry an entire team. Taylor managed just 23 rushing yards on eight carries and added 24 receiving yards. He also fumbled during the blowout.
Taylor has acknowledged the trade speculation but has not requested a move. He recently said he remains proud to wear the Colts uniform and is focused on controlling what he can control. Still, the organization has already shown that it is willing to move established players as it reshapes the roster.
There is a legitimate argument for keeping Taylor as a centerpiece of the rebuild, particularly after signing him to a two-year, $44 million extension in August. But with Indianapolis sitting at 2-6 and already moving important veterans, a trade would not be surprising.
Josh Downs wants out, and the Colts’ receiving corps is changing
Taylor is not the only offensive player whose future in Indianapolis is uncertain. Wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade, adding another layer to the Colts’ ongoing roster shake-up. Downs has been one of the team’s most productive receivers this season, leading Indianapolis with 30 receptions for 330 yards and one touchdown through eight games. He has become an important target for Jones, particularly in the short and intermediate passing game.
His request came after Indianapolis traded Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, two established leaders who were central to the team’s identity. Downs is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and with the Colts seemingly shifting toward the future, he could be another player moved before the deadline.
Downs isn’t the only receiving option Dallas needs to consider. Veteran Keenan Allen has recorded 36 receptions for 325 yards and a touchdown, while second-year tight end Tyler Warren has added 34 catches for 231 yards and two touchdowns.
If Downs is still in the lineup Sunday, he will be an important underneath target for Jones. If he is traded, Indianapolis will have to rely even more heavily on Allen and Warren to provide consistency in the passing game. The Cowboys’ secondary remains one of the team’s biggest weaknesses, so even a struggling Indianapolis offense could find opportunities if Dallas allows receivers to work freely underneath as they have all year.
The Colts’ defense has its own problems after trading DeForest Buckner
The Colts’ defensive situation has changed dramatically following the trade of DeForest Buckner to San Francisco. Buckner was one of the team’s most important defensive players, and his departure leaves a significant hole along the defensive line.
Indianapolis has recorded 16 sacks and two interceptions through eight games, while opponents have accumulated 2,748 total yards. Defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore and Buckner tied for the team lead with four sacks each before the trade, while edge rusher Laiatu Latu has two.
Without Buckner, the Colts will need other players to take on larger responsibilities along the defensive front. That is a difficult adjustment for a team already struggling to stop opposing offenses. The Colts have allowed 1,054 rushing yards through eight games, averaging nearly 132 yards per contest. That ranks among the league’s weaker run defenses, and Buckner’s departure could make the challenge even greater, with Indianapolis also struggling to create turnovers this season.
Indianapolis is in free fall, but Dallas cannot afford another letdown
The Colts have lost four consecutive games with defeats to Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Minnesota and Jacksonville. Their latest loss was ugly: a 42-7 defeat in which Jacksonville averaged nearly seven yards per play, and Indianapolis struggled to produce anything offensively.
The numbers paint a bleak picture. Indianapolis has scored just 15 offensive touchdowns through eight games, committed nine interceptions and has a minus-11 turnover ratio. The team has also allowed 2,748 yards while producing only 2,329 of its own.
The front office decisions suggest that the organization is beginning to look beyond the current season. Trading Nelson and Buckner, entertaining offers for Taylor and dealing with Downs’ trade request all signal a franchise trying to determine which pieces belong in its future.
The Cowboys should be able to capitalize on the uncertainty, but they have to show up ready to play. Dallas is coming off an embarrassing loss of its own. The defense allowed 467 total yards, and the offense managed only 261.
There is no reason to assume Indianapolis will simply hand Dallas a victory. The Colts still have talented players, and Taylor remains one of the most dangerous running backs in football if he is still on the roster. Warren and Downs provide capable receiving options, while the quarterback situation could still become a storyline if Jones struggles again.
The Cowboys need to take care of the football, establish Williams early and pressure Jones into mistakes. This is a matchup against a team in the middle of a major transition, and Dallas needs to play like a team that understands the opportunity in front of it, even if they haven’t shown that all season.
