INDIANAPOLIS — Anthony Richardson’s much-anticipated return to the field didn’t unfold as hoped.
Throughout the game, he encountered difficulties with his throws, struggled to find a rhythm, and ultimately led only one scoring drive. Speculation surrounding his performance raises various points: whether it was hesitance from being sidelined, the impact of a right hip injury, Miami’s aggressive defense, mere bad luck, or part of his ongoing development. The Indianapolis Colts understand one crucial fact, however; Richardson needs to accumulate game experience, no matter the outcome — good, bad, or otherwise. Furthermore, his effort during Sunday’s narrow 16-10 victory over the Dolphins might not have been as inconsistent as it initially seemed.
“They were coming off a bye week, and we encountered an un-scouted look they threw at us,” head coach Shane Steichen observed after reviewing the game. “However, Anthony excelled in avoiding sacks during the game. This often goes unnoticed. He managed to escape and either make a throwaway pass or create something out of nothing.”
Despite the coach’s acknowledgment, critics may focus on Richardson’s underwhelming statistics.
The former Florida standout has a record of 5-4 in his nine career starts, although he has only finished five of those games. While his arm strength is commendable, his career completion rate sits at a mere 53.1%. He has posted a total of 1,360 passing yards, with six touchdowns paired with seven interceptions and has fumbled the ball six times.
Indeed, Richardson faced challenges during Sunday’s game — it’s a common experience for young quarterbacks, especially when matched against formidable defenses. Consequently, some fans might prefer to see veteran Joe Flacco leading the team as they compete for a playoff berth (currently 4-3).
However, unless another injury arises, the Colts can’t afford to bench Richardson, even when he falters. After completing just 10 of 24 passes for 129 yards and also losing a fumble against Miami, he has recorded ten or fewer completed passes in three of the team’s victories this season.
Can the Colts secure a playoff spot if Richardson maintains this level of performance? It’s possible.
In the matchup against Miami, he carried the ball 14 times for 56 rushing yards, and if star running back Jonathan Taylor returns shortly from the sprained ankle that has kept him sidelined for three weeks, the Colts’ running game could spell trouble for opposing defenses.
The challenge now lies with Steichen and the Colts to devise strategies that maximize their franchise quarterback’s potential as he matures into this critical role.
“I didn’t execute my offensive strategy well enough,” Steichen admitted regarding his play-calling. “I need to place him in more advantageous situations. After reviewing the tape, it became evident that there weren’t many opportunities available when I was watching. That’s an area I need to improve.”
What is working well for the Colts is their defense. Indy’s defensive unit has consistently kept scoring opportunities for opponents at bay — they performed similarly on Sunday against Miami, an offense that has struggled to score. The defense allowed only one touchdown and one field goal while forcing two turnovers, thus granting the offense a chance to secure a victory.
On the flip side, play-calling must improve. Steichen has repeatedly taken responsibility for the lack of offensive production. It’s not solely his fault, but producing only 284 total yards over the course of a full game, along with just 36 points over two tight games, signals something is amiss.
Stock is rising for running back Tyler Goodson. With Taylor and Trey Sermon (knee) unavailable, Goodson has emerged as a dynamic element in the Colts’ ground game. He rushed for 51 yards and contributed Indy’s sole touchdown against Miami with a seven-yard run in the third quarter.
Conversely, tight ends are struggling. Despite Steichen placing four tight ends on the roster and another on the practice squad, they have been virtually unnoticeable in the game’s dynamics. Will Mallory’s single five-yard catch in the second quarter marked the only reception that tight ends managed throughout the game.
Injury discussions continue to loom over the Colts as they grapple with issues concerning Taylor, LB E.J. Speed (knee), and All-Pro DeForest Buckner (ankle). Steichen expressed optimism that Taylor and Buckner would return to practice this week. However, LB Jaylon Carlies has joined the injury list after not returning from an ankle injury sustained in the first half; he is expected to be sidelined for some time.
A notable statistic from the game is 19. Speed’s knee injury kept one of the league’s leading tacklers on the bench, enabling Grant Stuard to step in without disappointing. Primarily a special teams player during his four years in the NFL, Stuard made or assisted on a career-high of 19 tackles during the game, bringing his career total to 26.
Looking ahead, the Colts have positioned themselves in playoff discussions within the AFC South, winning four out of their last five games—each decided by one possession. Should they replicate this in their upcoming game against Houston (5-2), they’ll split their season series and tie for the top position in the division.