In the first half of their game against the Miami Dolphins, things did not look good for the Indianapolis Colts. Not only were they behind 10-0, but they lost linebacker Jaylon Carlies to an ankle injury
Segun Olubi forced a fumble and then recovered the ball in the third quarter, breathing new life into the team and leading to a touchdown from Tyler Goodson, his first ever NFL touchdown. Every single play during that drive, however, was a run play from either Richardson or Goodson. The scored was then tied at 10-10, and the Colts were clearly revitalized.
Laiatu Latu followed up that drive with a sack, his second of his NFL career, and forced the Dolphins to go three and out.
When the Colts got the ball again, Jalen Ramsey tried to sack Anthony Richardson, nailing him while his back was turned -- and yet, in a credit to Richardson's athleticism, Ramsey simply couldn't bring him down. Unfortunately, they got pressure on Richardson again the very next play, with Ramsey shoving Richardson off target as he went to throw, leaving to a fumble recovery from Chop Robinson. Fortunately for the Colts, referees ruled it an incomplete pass, and Rigoberto Sanchez was able to punt.
Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley was injured in the third quarter, and on the next drive, he was replaced by Tim Boyle. It didn't seem to slow down the Dolphins at all, who marched their way into the end zone, only for the football to be stripped and then recovered by Zaire Franklin.
Unfortunately, those efforts from the defense were yet again in vain, as the Colts went three and out, failing to convert on the third down with a well-defensed pass from Richardson to Josh Downs, who couldn't hold onto the ball.
Had to go back and grab the ball. #EasyToCelebrate pic.twitter.com/us3UEwgZbM
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 20, 2024
The Colts started off the fourth quarter with the ball, and Richardson connected with Alec Pierce for the second time in the game. Chop Robinson tried to take running back Trey Sermon down, but Sermon was able to wriggle out and run for a first down, getting to the 20-yard line before being tackled. Sermon followed that up with another run, bringing the Colts to first and goal. Unfortunately, Richardson couldn't lead the team to a touchdown in the first three downs, leading to a second field goal from Matt Gay. It initially appeared that Shane Steichen was ready to go for it on fourth down, but used a Miami timeout to switch gears.
With that, the Colts took the lead for the first time, at 13-10.
The Dolphins tried to rally on another drive, but ended up with a failed field goal attempt that bounced off the uprights. Richardson led the Colts on the following drive to field goal range, where Gay extended their lead to six points after scoring another field goal.
With less than two minutes to go, the Colts were leading 16-10, and the Dolphins had a last-ditch chance to eke out a win, but fell short, giving the Colts their second win in a row.
Richardson showed great improvement in the second half. In the first half, he completed just four passes for 61 yards; in the second, however, he finished the game with 10 of 24 for 129 yards, and no interceptions. He also had 14 carries for 56 rushing yards, proving that the potential the Colts have been counting on is there and waiting to be unleashed. The defense also shone, with Grant Stuard gaining a career-high 18 tackles in addition to the second career sack from Latu.
The Colts are now 4-3, and will face a tough divisional challenge next week, when they take on the Houston Texans, who currently lead the AFC South.