The Colts need to hang on to Anthony Richardson despite his inconsistent play

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Richardson’s return to action didn’t go according to plan.

He missed throws, struggled to find rhythm and led just one touchdown drive. Whether it was rustiness, the after-effects of a right hip injury, Miami’s blitz-happy defense, bad luck or part of his learning curve, the Colts know one thing.

Richardson needs the snaps and the team has to live with the results – good, bad or ugly. And his performance in Sunday’s 16-10 win over the Dolphins may not have been as erratic as it seemed at first glance.

“They had just come off a bye week, and so we saw an untested look that they brought, that they brought to us,” coach Shane Steichen said after watching the game tape Monday. “But I think Anthony did a hell of a job.” I think that often goes unnoticed. He makes a play, a throwaway player.

It’s all important, although Richardson’s critics prefer to point to his underwhelming numbers.

The former Florida star is 5-4 in nine career starts and has finished just five of those games. Despite his impressive arm strength, Richardson’s career completion percentage is just 53.1% and he has thrown for 1,360 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions while losing six fumbles.

Yes, Richardson took a few hits on Sunday – most young quarterbacks do, especially against top-notch defenses. So it may of course happen that fans would prefer to see 39-year-old Joe Flacco behind center for playoff contender Indy (4-3).

But barring another injury, the Colts can’t afford to miss out on Richardson, even if he’s not at his best. After going 10 of 24 for 129 yards and losing a fumble against the Dolphins, he has now completed 10 or fewer passes in three wins this season.

Can the Colts make the playoffs if Richardson continues to play like this? Perhaps.

Against Miami, he ran 14 times for 56 yards, and if All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor soon returns from the ankle sprain that has kept him out for three straight weeks, the Colts’ running game could cause major problems for the defense.

It’s up to Steichen and the Colts to figure out how to get the most out of their franchise quarterback as he grows into the role.

“I didn’t work well enough offensively,” said Steichen about the game decision on Sunday. “I have to put him in better positions. Go back and we’ll look at the tape, but I mean, when I was out there and looking at it, there wasn’t much revealed. So that’s up to me. I have to get better.”

What works

Goal defense. Indy’s defense largely managed to keep opponents out of the end zone – as it did again on Sunday, albeit against the NFL’s lowest-scoring team. The Colts scored a TD and a field goal and forced two turnovers, giving the offense a chance to win.

Which takes work

Play calling. Steichen repeatedly blamed himself for the lack of productivity, and while it wasn’t just him, something went wrong when a team totaled just 284 yards in 60 minutes and just 36 points in eight quarters.

Stock up

RB Tyler Goodson. With Taylor and Trey Sermon (knee) out, Goodson has given new impetus to the Colts’ ground game. He ran 14 times for 51 yards and scored Indy’s only touchdown against Miami on a 7-yard run in the third quarter.

Inventory reduced

Tight ends. Steichen had four tight ends on the active roster and another on the practice squad, but it was hard to tell. Will Mallory’s 5-yard catch in the second quarter was the only reception of the day by a tight end.

Injuries

The Colts enter another week with questions about Taylor, LB EJ Speed ​​(knee) and All-Pro DeForest Buckner (ankle). Steichen said Monday he was optimistic Taylor and Buckner would return to practice this week. The new addition to Indy’s injured list is LB Jaylon Carlies, who did not return after injuring his ankle in the first half. Steichen said he expects Carlies will miss some time.

Key number

19 – Speed’s knee injury kept one of the NFL’s best tacklers on the sidelines, but it opened the door for Grant Stuard to step in and he didn’t disappoint. Stuard, who played primarily on special teams during his four NFL seasons, made or assisted on 19 tackles, giving him 26 in his career.

Next Steps

The Colts entered contention in the AFC South by winning four of five games, each by one possession. If they do it again next weekend in Houston (5-2), they will split the season series and be tied at the top of the division.

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Michael Marot, The Associated Press