NFL: How the Indianapolis Colts went from outsiders to unstoppable

Eight weeks into the season, the Indianapolis Colts are still setting the pace for the NFL.

They had their share of struggles in Shane Steichen’s first two years as head coach, but people thought they had a good roster coming this season.

I don’t think anyone thought he would play like that.

Not only do they lead the AFC South, they are the only team in the NFL with a 7-1 record — and they have won four of those games by at least 21 points.

The Colts could go all the way, which is crazy to think about. That’s what makes this team so exciting.

They had the pieces of the puzzle. They drafted it well. They brought in some good guys. They just needed a quarterback.

Daniel Jones arrived on a one-year deal and beat out Anthony Richardson for the starting job, but people weren’t sure how to do it. We’ve never seen him in such a wonderful setting.

His experience with the New York Giants was poor at best. People felt that Jones was not mobile. He wasn’t making great decisions; He was knocking men out. How many times had he stood there to see ghosts?

The Giants released him last November and he finished the season behind Sam Darnold on the Minnesota Vikings.

But it’s not as if the Colts have a rookie at quarterback. Jones is a smart guy and now he’s getting the ball out.

Among starting quarterbacks this season, he is fourth in pass completions (71%), fourth in passing yards (2,062), fourth in yards per attempt (8.5) and sixth in passer rating (109.5).

Jones had never reached these numbers before, and that’s because he managed the game. The onus isn’t just on him, so he doesn’t have to be the star, whereas with the Giants he had to be the guy who made the plays.

He has spoken about his relationship with Steichen. Jones said he never felt like an overly positive guy, but Steichen exudes positivity and that gives him confidence and belief. This is then passed on to the rest of the players.

Steichen played quarterback in high school and college. He’s always had an attacking mind but never had the chance to live it out.

Now rejuvenated, he enjoys training and Jones does what he wants them to do. It’s like Steichen is playing Madden out there.