The Indianapolis Colts have empirically been a better team when Joe Flacco — and not Anthony Richardson — is under center.
But a reminder to the Miami Dolphins: Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The natural-born ability that convinced the Colts to draft Richardson No. 4 overall hasn’t gone anywhere. And there’s always a chance that this is the week that Richardson figures out how to harness it consistently.
Miami Dolphins Prepare for Colts QB Anthony Richardson
Richardson was never a great pocket passer in college, and that hasn’t yet changed in the pros. He’s completed just 55.3% of his career attempts for a 74.3 rating.
But he also has averaged an astounding 13.8 yards per completion and 5.8 yards per rush.
Richardson is the ultimate feast-or-famine quarterback. And there’s always a chance he’s got an appetite Sunday afternoon.
ANTHONY RICHARDSON 60-YARD DIME TO ALEC PIERCE.
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📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/p0xddm5Kl1— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
“Some young quarterbacks, they are just thrown into the fire, and expected to just completely turn around a franchise,” Colts running back Jonathan Taylor told PFN Tuesday during an interview promoting Dairy Queen’s Sauced & Tossed chicken strips.
“But Anthony having so much support around him, it’s almost scary because with his talent, his skill level, and you’re giving him support, not only in his own room but also around him, it’s really gonna be electrifying as he continues to move through each and every single week.
“You guys have seen it, from when he’s on the field, the flashes that he shows and the skill set that he brings, and it’s gonna be something really special.”
That support Taylor mentioned? The veteran Flacco, who has done an excellent job filling in for Richardson the last two weeks while the latter has worked through an oblique injury.
All signs point to the backup ceding the job back to the starter this week, however. And that brings a whole different set of challenges to a Dolphins defense that could be without safety Jevon Holland (hand).
The Colts are dealing with their own injuries. Richardson and Taylor both missed Indianapolis’ Week 6 win over the Tennessee Titans. It’ll be fascinating to see what the complete picture looks like on offense, should it come together Sunday.
“It’s definitely gonna be a tough contest,” Taylor said. “[The Dolphins] have a really stout defense, so we’re definitely not gonna come in here Lucas Oil [Stadium] and lay down. But it’s also huge that we get to come back home. We have Lucas Oil fans. They’re the best. They’re electric. I know they’re gonna be in it. We feed off that energy. We’re gonna use that on Sunday.
“And we got guys coming back, we got guys that are working to get healthy, but we have young guys that are also ready to step up. So I think we’re a pretty resilient team, and we just have to defend home turf this week. That’s all that matters.”