Anthony Richardson's heroics fall just short as the Colts lose their season opener to the Texans
The Indianapolis Colts received mixed reviews throughout the NFL world. People weren't quite sure what type of team to expect them to be in 2024. While they fell short in Week 1, they held their own with a Texans team that many label a Super Bowl contender. And there are multiple good and bad takeaways for […]
The Indianapolis Colts received mixed reviews throughout the NFL world. People weren't quite sure what type of team to expect them to be in 2024.
While they fell short in Week 1, they held their own with a Texans team that many label a Super Bowl contender. And there are multiple good and bad takeaways for the team to take with them the rest of 2024.
The Colts lost a shootout with the high-powered Houston Texans offense by a score of 29 to 27. Anthony Richardson and C.J. Stroud showed exactly why they are viewed as two of the best young up-and-coming quarterbacks in the NFL. I have a feeling this will be the last time in a while that at least one of these matchups isn't shown on primetime television. Following the loss, the team will have multiple things to discuss ahead of Week 2. But there are three takeaways on my mind.
Anthony Richardson shows how special he can be
In his first regular season game back from injury, we saw the whole "Anthony Richardson experience." He had his fair share of misses as he finished the day 9/19, with 212 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception through the air. As well as adding 56 yards on six carries with one touchdown on the ground. More importantly than his stat line, he displayed the ability to make throws that only a handful of NFL QBs could even dream of making. His deep ball to Alec Pierce in the first quarter was one of the best throws I've ever seen completed by any QB at any level. And his second touchdown pass of the day to Ashton Dulin was in such a tight window that the throw had to be perfect, and it was.
Colts pass rush is the real deal
The bright spot on a poor outing from the Colts' defense in Week 1 was their pass rush. They ended the day with four sacks on Stroud and forced multiple incompletions from one of the most accurate QBs in the NFL. It was a strong day from the group, but they had the chance for even more but let Stroud get out of their grasps. It's only Week 1, but the fact that there are clear areas for them to improve after a four-sack outing should have the team and fans very hopeful for the type of year this group could have in 2024.
Colts run defense hit rock bottom in Week 1
The Colts' run defense in Week 1 was as bad as we've seen it during the Chris Ballard era. The film put on display today by the group was flat-out embarrassing. The Texans rushed for 213 yards on the day, with Joe Mixon leading the group with 159 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown. The team elected to take both DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart off the field together on multiple snaps throughout the game. This should never happen again outside of the duo not being healthy, which the team did announce that Buckner is now dealing with back injury.
All in all, the run defense has to be better going forward. And for this to happen when many believed their run defense was one of their strongest elements on that side of the ball is very disheartening. One thing I do know is that it wont be a fun week for that group in team meetings ahead of Week 2.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson completed one of the best throws the NFL has ever seen during Week 1 of the season
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is back from injury, but I think it's safe to say his shoulder is just fine. Richardson completed one of the prettiest throws the NFL has ever seen during the first quarter of Week 1 for the Colts first touchdown of the 2024 season. Anthony Richardson is already a nominee […]
