Another robust recreation from quarterback Anthony Richardson condemned the Indianapolis Colts to a 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Richardson accomplished simply 10 of 32 passes for 175 yards with a landing and an interception, snapping two straight wins and placing the Colts (4-4) additional behind the first-place Texans (6-2) within the AFC South.
He additionally raised eyebrows as he defined why he left the sport for a play earlier than a discipline purpose within the third quarter.
“I used to be drained, I’m not going to lie,” he stated. “I needed to run lots proper there. I did not suppose I used to be going to have the ability to do it the subsequent play, so I informed them I wanted a break proper there.”
Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen stated this week that they’re merely in search of their younger quarterback’s development from recreation to recreation.
It was robust to see a lot of that Sunday as Richardson struggled to maneuver the offense for a lot of the sport amid intense stress. The fourth general decide within the 2023 draft was sacked 5 instances and hit eight extra.
The efficiency got here after he managed simply 129 yards final week in his return from a hip damage, however the Colts made two discipline targets within the fourth quarter to earn a 16-10 victory over Miami.
Steichen was fast to defend his quarterback Sunday, saying everybody must do higher.
“We simply need to preserve engaged on this factor,” he stated. “He’s obtained a very good work dedication. He goes by means of this stuff, it is a course of and we’ll do it collectively. It’s not about one man, it is concerning the group. It’s at all times concerning the group.”
Richardson has accomplished simply 44.4% of his passes this season. But the dual-threat QB dismissed criticism about his completion share.
“I really feel like I’m an excellent passer,” he stated. “I’ve performed quarterback just about my complete life. I’m only a completely different quarterback than everybody else, so individuals will attempt to level out that I’m not as environment friendly as everybody else. That’s cool with me.”
He later appeared to check himself to Michael Vick when referring to his completion share.
“They say Vick did not have an excellent completion share his first two years, and he was most likely one of many best quarterbacks to ever do this,” Richardson stated. “So, I do not essentially take a look at the numbers. I take a look at each play alone as a result of I haven’t got the power to regulate each single factor in each play. I can solely management what I can management. If my numbers are low, that simply means I’ve to select them up and play higher.”
Vick’s completion charge as a rookie was 44.2%, however he performed in simply eight video games with two begins that yr. He accomplished at the least 50 % of his passes in every of the subsequent 5 seasons.
Richardson accomplished simply two of 15 passes within the first half because the Colts trailed 17-10 at halftime.
One of those completions, nonetheless, was essential. He discovered Josh Downs large open for a 69-yard landing run to place the Colts up 10–3 within the first quarter.
He could not do a lot after that, however Jonathan Taylor helped transfer the offense with 20 carries for 105 yards and a rating in his return after lacking three video games with an ankle damage.
Taylor stated it is essential for the Colts to help Richardson as they attempt to get their offense going.
“We simply must let him know … we’ve his again,” Taylor stated. “This isn’t just a one-game factor. We are right here for the lengthy haul, we’ve a purpose we need to obtain and it’ll take all of us – each one among us, each single day giving our all.”
Associated Press reporting.
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