It has been 10 years since the Indianapolis Colts last won a game in Week 1, when the team defeated the Oakland Raiders 21-17. That seems to be forever ago. The Colts have had some rough times since the Andrew Luck days, starting their eighth different quarterback in as many years. But that trend should finally be over starting next season after the Colts drafted the new face of the franchise: Anthony Richardson.
Even with a loss to the Jaguars, in what seemed to be a collapse in the final minutes of the game, which resulted in Anthony Richardson coming out for the final two plays after getting injured on a run towards the goal line, you could see the fight the team had in them.
In what was liekly the most exciting game to watch in recent years, the Colts almost quieted a lot of media and fans around the NFL after keeping up with the favorites to win the AFC South. With Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars are a contender in the AFC, but they had some difficulties getting it done on Sunday.
With a loss on the record book, the Colts start the season at 0-1, but they won in many other ways. Here’s how.
5. Anthony Richardson looks to be ahead of schedule
There was a time after the draft and early in training camp where it was unclear if the franchise QB was going to start the season right away. Then he’s named the starter for Week 1 and many questioned the move.
The 21-year-old quarterback didn't play like he only had started 13 starts in his college career, as he was firing on almost all cylinders throughout the game. Anthony Richardson looked poised in the pocket and had a real command of the offense.
If you’re watching this and see that AR threw an INT and THAT is what you focus on… you’re still mad the Colts didn’t draft Levis.
— Justin Bauerle (@justinbauerle) September 10, 2023
Kid has BALLED today
Completing 24-of-37 passes for 233 yards with one touchdown and one interception, that was a pretty solid outing for the quarterback. Not to mention, Richardson added 10 rushing attempts for 40 yards and one touchdown.
If the rookie QB came out and threw for 200 yards, that would have been a success in all books considering the experience and the defense he was playing against. Many people will focus on the one interception, which is fine. That's what critics are for and what some fans tend to focus too much of their time on. Mechanics are still something that needs to be worked on. At the end of the day, Richardson showed that he was a leader and could command the offense.
4. Gus Bradley's defense steps up
There was a lot of concern heading into the season that the Colts were going to be very light in the secondary, and they still are. Even with Calvin Ridley catching seven passes in the first half with a touchdown, the Colts were able to slow him down in the second. Ridley finished with eight catches on 11 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Overall, the Colts defense was able to disrupt the run and Trevor Lawrence, who threw an interception and had a fumble returned for a touchdown on a confusing play.
3. Development is Key on a Young Team
The Colts have the third youngest team in the NFL, which typically means they may have one of the worst teams when it comes to experience levels. The Colts were able to stick with the Jaguars throughout the game, which gave many of their young core real reps to learn from. The team had a great development day and have some good and bad things to work on for the upcoming matchup with the Houston Texans.
Other than the quarterback development, the key position groups that need the most work in developing into a solid unit are the wide receivers and cornerbacks. The Colts entered the day with starting corners Dallis Flowers and Darrell Baker Jr. with Kenny Moore II as the nickle corner.
Kenny ended up covering Ridley most of the second half, which is likely why his production slowed down. If the Colts want to get better, Flowers and Baker Jr. will need to make a larger impact in the secondary.
2. Colts and Jonathan Taylor situation should get better
The Colts may have just seen where this team sits without their All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor. If he had been a real threat to the Jaguars defense, they could be looking at a different result at the end of the day. There were several fourth down conversions that were failed because the Jaguars only needed to worry about Anthony Richardson. That changes with the likes of Taylor in the backfield.
Whether you see it as Taylor gains an advantage or not, the Colts should see that there is a lack of skill in the running back room and should be working to get something done. Especially if Taylor is planning on passing a physical in the next few days.
Jonathan Taylor, who now is on Physically Unable to Perform List through Week 4 due to an ankle injury, is “going to pass his physical and could pass it today,” per source. Taylor is planning to be ready to play as early as Week 5, when he is eligible to come off the PUP list.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 10, 2023
The Colts proved that they are not as far off as they once were thought to be. If they are able to get a healthy Jonathan Taylor on the field (maybe even angry), the team could get a lot more production on offense.
However, the 16 combined rush attempts from the running backs for a total of 25 yards and two fumbles will not get it done. The Colts need their elite running back on the field and this game might have proven that to be true.
1. Draft position improves
Let's take a moment and realize maybe that's the height of the Colts season: an almost win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Maybe the season goes downhill from here. The important thing to note is that players are getting reps, learning and the chemistry is building. Meanwhile, the Colts draft position gets better if they are looking in that direction.
The last prediction before the season had the Colts going 7-10, and this fits right there with that narrative. If the Colts only get to four wins this season, it's not all bad! They will be in a better position to get one of the top picks in the draft, where they can get an elite wide receiver to pair up with Richardson for life.
Any way you want to look at yesterdays game, the Colts won in many ways. Unfortunately, they just didn't win in the one way that matters for the record books: the win column.