Sunday was a bittersweet day for the Indianapolis Colts. Indy got its first win of the season, defeating the Houston Texans 31-20. Unfortunately, rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson left the game early in the second quarter with a concussion. He’s now in concussion protocol as the Colts turn their attention to the Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Before moving on to Week 3, Indianapolis will celebrate the comprehensive Week 2 win. It’s been a while since Indy won a game comfortably, especially against Houston. Last season, Indy had a draw and a last-second thriller with the Texans. With both teams seemingly rebuilding this season, the Colts showed that their rebuild is further along.
While the win on Sunday was a full team effort, there were certainly a few players that stood out for Indy. Let’s take a look at three players that helped the Colts get their first victory.
3. Gardner Minshew was the perfect backup
No one wanted to see Gardner Minshew play in a game this year, unless it was as a reserve once Indy secured a huge lead. It’s nothing against Minshew, he’s a fan favorite, but the Colts have handed the keys to Anthony Richardson at quarterback. That means Minshew being on the field is likely a sign of something going wrong.
Well, something did go wrong on Sunday. Anthony Richardson left the game with a concussion. This forced Gardner Minshew into the game early in the second quarter. He inherited a 14-7 lead, and quickly built on it, as the offense didn’t seem to miss much of a beat with Minshew at quarterback.
On his first drive, he led the Colts on a six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Indy did things differently with Minshew, not relying on the quarterback run, but Minshew made all the right passes. He finished the game with 19 completions on 23 attempts for 171 yards and one touchdown. It’s great to know that Richardson can step in if necessary, but the hope is that he doesn’t have to do it often.
2. Anthony Richardson got the Colts off to a hot start
Richardson may not have finished the game, but he certainly started things off right. Indianapolis jumped out to a quick, 14-0 lead, on the legs of Anthony Richardson. A 10-play, 75-yard opening drive ended with an 18-yard rushing touchdown from Richardson, and a series later, he added a 15-yard rushing touchdown.
Unfortunately, the second rushing touchdown is when everyone believes he sustained the concussion, after the back of his head banged against the turf. Aside from the injuries in the first two games, Richardson has been better than advertised, and Colts fans have to be excited about what they have.
He finished the game with six completions on 10 attempts for 56 yards, and added three carries, for 35 yards and the two rushing touchdowns. The offensive identity that the Colts are developing with Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen is pretty clear and promising. Now, Indy just needs to get Richardson to finish games healthy.
1. Zack Moss revived Indy’s run game
In Week 1, the rushing attack was abysmal for the Colts. It was so bad, that fans were ready to crowdfund enough money to offer Jonathan Taylor a contract extension. Fortunately, the run game was much better in Week 2 for Indianapolis, and Zack Moss is the reason why.
In his first game back from a broken arm, he was the only running back to run the ball for Indy on Sunday. He carried the ball 18 times for 88 yards and one touchdown, averaging 4.9 yards a carry, and helped the Colts put away the game when the Texans were surging late. It was a reminder of why a Jonathan Taylor-Zack Moss backfield was considered one of the best in the NFL.
Moss is now back on the field and thriving, and all that’s left is for Taylor to get back on the field. Taylor has been preparing for that return, and will likely be suited up in Week 5. With Moss, Taylor, and a healthy Anthony Richardson, the Colts should be able to pick up many more wins.