The Indianapolis Colts were expected to lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4; they had defeated the Chicago Bears in Week 3, but the Steelers were undefeated and represented a serious opponent for the Colts, which had struggled at the beginning of the season. Yet the Colts held the Steelers to just three points in the first half, and were able to keep them from mounting a successful comeback in the second half. That put the Colts at 2-2 for the season, and has changed the dynamic for how the rest of the league sees the team.
Next, the Colts will head to Jacksonville to take on the struggling Jaguars, who are yet to win a game this season. However, they have been competitive in most of their matchups, and Indianapolis hasn't won a game in Jacksonville in 10 years. Yet while the game may be more difficult than it appears on the surface, the Jaguars have been plummeting in the NFL power rankings... while the Colts have been rising.
The Houston Texans are still presumed to be the AFC South champions, but the Colts are steadily proving that the Texans should start to get a little bit worried that the postseason doesn't necessarily belong to them.
Josh Kendall, The Athletic: #17 (+4)
The rookie class in Indianapolis hasn’t done much yet. First-round edge rusher Laiatu Latu hasn’t started a game and has produced only three tackles and one sack. Second-round wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has only two catches. The story Sunday was anti-rookie Joe Flacco, who came in for injured quarterback Anthony Richardson and threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns. The 39-year-old, who is only eight days younger than Richardson’s mother, is playing for his fifth team and played in his 189th game Sunday.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: #20 (+/- 0)
It’s not like the Colts are making a QB change, but it’s not a great sign that the Joe Flacco offense on Sunday looked more efficient vs. the Steelers than what Anthony Richardson has been running. If nothing else, the Colts found out they can count on Flacco if the oft-injured Richardson goes down again.
Stephen Holder, ESPN: #19 (+5)
Stopping teams on third down continues to be an issue. Statistically, the Colts have been one of the worst third-down units, allowing a 49.2% conversion rate. The practical impact of this was evident during Sunday's win over the Steelers when the Colts allowed QB Justin Fields and the Pittsburgh offense to convert 5-of-8 third-down attempts. That helped erase a 17-3 halftime lead and turned a lopsided affair into a close game. Fields was 4-of-5 (80%) for 43 passing yards and a touchdown on third downs in the second half.
Jake Arthur, SI: #22 (+4)
The Colts are starting to pull it together after consecutive wins. However, Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor left Sunday’s win over the Steelers with injuries. Joe Flacco proved capable of getting the ball into the hands of the offense’s capable playmakers. Whether it’s Richardson or Flacco next week, a productive gameplan is possible.
Bleacher Report: #20 (+1)
When Anthony Richardson went down with a hip injury against the undefeated Steelers on Sunday, some may have assumed the Indianapolis Colts were in trouble.
Those people have obviously never witnessed the greatness that is Joe Flacco.
Flacco was effective in Richardson's stead Sunday, throwing a pair of touchdown passes to keep Indy out in front.
Flacco, who made five regular-season starts in Cleveland last year, told reporters after the game that he's always ready to enter the game when called upon.
"You're never going to get the (practice) reps," Flacco said. "You're just going through the emotional roller coaster on the sideline, and as the backup quarterback you always try to stay ready and stay calm."
His performance made an impression on head coach Shane Steichen.
"He's been out there, a veteran presence," Colts coach Shane Steichen said of Flacco. "Obviously, he's played a lot of football, went in there and operated pretty darn good."
"The Colts proved to be extremely cautious with quarterback Anthony Richardson after the second-year signal-caller suffered a hip pointer in Sunday's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers," Sobleski said. "Veteran backup Joe Flacco finished the game, which Indianapolis held on to win. A wrong path exists with the possibility of keeping Flacco in the lineup just to protect Richardson. The 22-year-old quarterback needs to be on the field. He needs the reps to grow and develop. If he's cleared, he should play. His upside presents far more intrigue than getting by with Flacco behind center."
Mike Florio, NBC Sports: #18 (+2)
Having Joe Flacco behind Anthony Richardson is perhaps the best quarterback move the Colts have made since Andrew Luck retired.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: #21 (+/- 0)
Anthony Richardson's injury is concerning, but Joe Flacco came in and did some good things in beating the Steelers. Two straight victories has them feeling good.
Nate Davis, USA Today: #15 (+5)
Sometimes an offense runs better with an experienced backup – and QB1 Anthony Richardson might benefit from some time to heal and watching Joe Flacco execute HC Shane Steichen's attack.
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: #16 (+2)
The fact that we're once again talking about an Anthony Richardson injury -- after a dramatic win over a previously unbeaten team, no less -- is a troublesome development. It doesn't seem like the injury that forced Richardson to the sideline Sunday will significantly hamper his availability going forward. Still, it was a reminder that the best quarterbacks are not only playmakers, but they've also mastered the art of self-preservation. That's how guys like Joe Flacco have managed to hang around the game and be successful for so long. Thankfully, Flacco was there to earn the save in place of Richardson and perhaps give the second-year QB a lesson in simplifying things, taking what's there and, when there's no play to be made, living to fight another day. The Colts have turned an 0-2 start on its head and can make things interesting in what looks to be a two-horse race right now in the AFC South. Keeping Richardson healthy is a big part of that, even with Flacco at the ready.
David Helman, Fox Sports: #22 (+3)
Hopefully, Anthony Richardson won’t miss any time, but you’ve got to admit it’s a bit of an adrenaline rush to see Joe Flacco step in and sling it again.