The Indianapolis Colts are one of several teams that will enter Week 15 on the playoff bubble.
So what gives the Colts hope that they can make a strong playoff push over their final four games?
Recently, Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com provided one reason that each playoff bubble team should be optimistic down the stretch. For the Colts, the choice was obvious: the play of Anthony Richardson.
“Give Richardson and the Colts credit: They took what could’ve been a disastrous situation and turned it into a positive,” wrote Chadiha. “The same quarterback who was benched for a couple games a few weeks ago has turned into a more confident leader who has led his team to two wins in its last three games, with Richardson scoring the deciding points in both victories.”
Since returning to the starting lineup, we’ve seen a much more refined version of Richardson. Even when the stats haven’t always reflected his level of play, Richardson has been in much greater command of the offense, poised, and often playing within the rhythm and structure of the play, resulting in more consistent performances.
But the most impressive aspect of it all, as Chadiha mentions, is that Richardson has orchestrated two late game-winning drives, performing at his best when the game was on the line.
In fact, from Weeks 11-13, Richardson was PFF’s sixth-highest graded quarterback during that span.
When the Colts benched Richardson, they wanted him to take a step back and focus on details of the day-to-day preparation that comes with being a starting quarterback. That refocused approach has certainly played a factor in his improved play.
But we’ve also seen Shane Steichen dial up more quarterback designed runs and gotten Richardson on the move when throwing, and utilizing his strengths and what sets him apart, to his advantage.
The Colts find themselves in what is basically a must-win game this week against Denver. But if they can come away with the victory, they will be only one game back of the Broncos for the final playoff spot, Indianapolis will hold the head-to-head tie-breaker, and have the easiest remaining schedule in football.
Richardson’s play has provided this team with a much-needed spark, but help around him is still needed. The run defense has to get shored up after getting run all over by New England, and continued success with Jonathan Taylor and the run game will be a must in order to take some of the burden off of the passing game, not to mention that dropped passes have hurt the offense as of late as well.
