The Indianapolis Colts squeaked out a win over the New England Patriots in Week 13, a much-needed victory that kept their playoff hopes alive as they headed into a bye week that the team is undoubtedly looking forward to. The Colts team has been wracked by injuries, and it's becoming more and more noticeable; they may have won on Sunday, but it certainly wasn't a pretty win, and having some time to rest and recuperate will hopefully result in a rejuvenated team ready to win their remaining four games and propel them to the playoffs.
One thing that was noticeable is the Anthony Richardson spark continues to burn within Indianapolis. He's given new life to the offense, managing to rise above the disadvantages the Colts are having to deal with: injuries, dropped passes, poor blocking from a decimated offensive line, nonsensical play-calling from head coach Shane Steichen. Yet Richardson has managed to keep the Colts winning when it matters most, and analysts are noticing in this week's power rankings.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: #19 (20)
The Colts have gotten that needed spark from Anthony Richardson as a runner and a passer to get back into playoff contention. The midseason benching has proved to be fortuitous for Shane Steichen.
Peter Dewey, SI: #17 (21)
Anthony Richardson's heroics on the final drive kept the Colts alive for a playoff spot at 6-7. Richardson has given the team a spark -- despite some erratic play -- since being re-inserted into the starting lineup.
Bleacher Report: #20 (21)
Shane Steichen's decision to go for the win after quarterback Anthony Richardson threw a touchdown pass to Alec Pierce on Sunday was one of those "genius or idiot" calls. If it works, you're a genius. If it fails, you're an idiot.
After Richardson made the game-winning run to get the victory, Steichen told reporters that he knew in the moment he was making the right decision.
"It was one of those deals inside 30 seconds," he said. "I felt good about the [play]call. Obviously, [you've] got to feel good about the call, but you go for the win right there in that situation. If there was a lot more time, maybe or two minutes or something, maybe take the [extra point]."
Richardson's numbers weren't great—he completed 12 of 24 passes and threw two picks. But he also threw a pair of touchdown passes in Indy's comeback win. Veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin told reporters that he's seen a lot of growth from Richardson since his benching earlier in the season.
"He's a competitor," Franklin said. "He's a leader. And I think when you've got a guy like that at the quarterback position, I think you've got a chance. So, thankfully, he's on our side."
Analyst's Take
Anthony Richardson received Shane Steichen's message loud and clear. His benching for Joe Flacco was never about giving Indianapolis the best chance to win. Richardson needed to realize that more is expected of quarterbacks at the professional level. The second-year signal-caller has responded by helping lead his squad to a pair of wins in the three games since he returned to the lineup. Richardson has been particularly good with the game on the line late in the fourth quarter. -- Brent Sobleski
Mike Florio, NBC Sports: #17 (20)
Anthony Richardson might be turning a corner.
Nate Davis, USA Today: #20 (21)
They've got the league's second-easiest remaining schedule … which probably would have been far more helpful had the Browns done Indy a big favor and beaten Denver on Monday night.
Stephen Holder, ESPN: #18 (21)
Cross is likely a long shot, but he is having a surprisingly strong season. After losing his starting role as a rookie in 2022, Cross has been a consistent playmaker on all three levels of the Colts' defense. He has been a tackling menace while playing mostly near the line of scrimmage (second in the NFL with 116 stops). He also has recorded three passes defensed, two interceptions and a forced fumble. The 2022 third-round pick is finally showing himself worthy of the high expectations once placed on him by the team.
Josh Kendall, The Athletic: #19 (21)
The second-year quarterback has provided a roller-coaster experience for Indianapolis fans. Right now, he’s at a peak after leading an 80-yard, game-winning drive that he capped with a two-point conversion run. Expectations are very high, but here’s a word of caution: Since returning from his benching in Week 11, he is 21st in EPA per dropback (.01), 30th in passer rating (75.9) and 33rd in completion percentage (52.4). He threw for 109 yards and had a 55.7 passer rating Sunday.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: #19 (21)
Anthony Richardson still has work to do. He completed 12 of 24 passes for 109 yards, with two interceptions to go with two touchdowns. A TD pass with 12 seconds left and a 2-point conversion run to win Sunday vs. the Patriots covers up the mistakes. He's still a work in progress.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: #16 (19)
Winning at New England keeps them alive in the playoff chase. Anthony Richardson is getting better -- which is a good thing.
Conor Orr, SI: #16 (21)
Shane Steichen got a lot more heat than Dave Canales for essentially making the same decision to bench a struggling young quarterback and, in both cases, it seems to have worked out. With time, Anthony Richardson seems to be seeing the field better. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a player more wide open than Jonathan Taylor on that first touchdown pass, which clearly caught New England off guard from an assignment perspective. On Richardson’s two picks…I think we can reason them away as good plays by the defense, one undercutting a route that his receiver could have helped on and another where the ball was tipped by an athletic jump.