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NFL Power Rankings, Week 8: Cowboys find spark, Raiders look like pretenders

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a first quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a first quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 20: Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass in the game against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 20: Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass in the game against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

8. Indianapolis Colts (9)

In 2018, Frank Reich was one of the coaches on the shortlist for NFL Coach of the Year. The first-year head coach lost out to another rookie as Matt Nagy was given the honor but Reich had quite the case. He inherited a staff of assistant coaches that were originally picked by Josh McDaniels — who was the original hire by Indy. McDaniels then backed out just before his introductory press conference and the team scrambled to find someone after that.

Reich not only kept the staff — which is incredibly admirable — but he also helped steer the team through a slow start. At one point, the Colts were 1-5 and it looked as though they were done. Then, they got rolling and went 9-1 from that point and then won a playoff game as well.

More. Colts the AFC’s Super Bowl sleeper?. light

That made them a team to watch in 2019 but then they were blindsided again when Andrew Luck retired unexpectedly. Reich then turned to Jacoby Brissett and has now gone 4-2 with him as the starter. On Sunday, they were very impressive as the quarterback had four touchdown passes in their 30-23 win over the Houston Texans, who were the favorites in their division entering this season.

Should Indianapolis continue to play at this level and win their division, it would be hard to see anyone other than Reich win the Coach of the Year honor in 2019. No matter what adversity is thrown his way, he continues to impress and deserves to be rewarded for that.

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