NFL Power Rankings 2011: Indianapolis Colts Will Fail to Stay in NFL's Top 10

The Indianapolis Colts are the epitome of consistency. They are forever among the big boys in the NFL, but that will come to a screeching halt this season. 

The Colts have shown just how fragmented life can be without their leader Peyton Manning. The squad has been less than stellar on both sides of the ball. 

Their woes started as soon as the preseason began with a drubbing at the hands of the St. Louis Rams. I am convinced the defense will turn the tide when the season starts, I am not the least bit as optimistic about the offense. 

The Week 1 shellacking forced the Colts to look outside the organization for a solution at quarterback. What they came back with was Kerry Collins, a QB none were pleased with, including star receiver Reggie Wayne. 

Wayne questioned how quickly Collins would be able to grasp the Colts complicated offensive schemes. That seemed to be the case on Thursday as Collins went 5-for-10 for just 45 yards. Manning tried to help Collins on the sideline which raises another concern. 

The NFL is not the place to learn on the job. Collins is not going to magically click with the receivers at some point in the near future. This is going to take some time. 

The fact that the Colts even brought Collins in is my biggest concern. This had all the makings of a long-term fix. Manning continues to dole out hope that he will return shortly. 

But if that were the case, Indianapolis would have let Curtis Painter take the reins for the one- or two-game absence. No, if you believe you are going to be without your star QB for a good chunk of the season, you get yourself a proven vet. 

By handing the job to Collins with no questions asked, the Colts signaled Manning is on the shelf for longer than we suspect. And we now know what a Colts team without Manning looks like. 

The Colts are prepping for a massive fall from the power rankings. 

2011 NFL Power Rankings
1.Green Bay Packers
2.New England Patriots
3.Philadelphia Eagles
4.New York Jets
5.Pittsburgh Steelers
6.Atlanta Falcons
7.New Orleans Saints
8.Indianapolis Colts
9.San Diego Chargers
10.Baltimore Ravens
11.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12.Arizona Cardinals
13.Houston Texans
14.Kansas City Chiefs
15.St. Louis Rams
16.Dallas Cowboys
17.New York Giants
18.Chicago Bears
19.Seattle Seahawks
20.Detroit Lions
21.Denver Broncos
22.Oakland Raiders
23.Minnesota Vikings
24.Jacksonville Jaguars
25.Cleveland Browns
26.San Francisco 49ers
27.Tennessee Titans
28.Cincinnati Bengals
29.Carolina Panthers
30.Buffalo Bills
31.Miami Dolphins
32.Washington Redskins