The Indianapolis Colts announced on Wednesday that Anthony Richardson will be the team’s starting quarterback moving forward.
While Jonathan Taylor is a top back and can be productive in really any environment, this recent development should provide a boost to the Colts’ running game.
As noted by Zach Hicks of Sports Illustrated’s Horseshoe Huddle, with Joe Flacco at quarterback this season, Taylor is averaging 4.4 yards per rush with an explosive run rate of 12 percent.
On the flip side, with Richardson under center, he is averaging 5.1 yards per carry with an explosive run rate of 17 percent.
While numbers can be misleading at times, this likely isn’t one of those instances. Defenses cannot defend Taylor nearly as aggressively when Richardson is under center because of his ability as a ball carrier. This also opens up more RPO opportunities for Shane Steichen to dial up.
In addition to the boost that Taylor looks to be getting with Richardson back on the field, defenses will now also have to account for designed quarterback runs–something that wasn’t in play with Flacco at quarterback–and, in general, be mindful of Richardson’s ability to extend plays and go off script, which on it’s own can lead to big plays, both on the ground and through the air.
A strong run game, in theory, can then have a positive trickle-down effect to the passing game. It helps keep the offense ahead of the sticks and out of predictable passing situations, forcing the defense to defend the entire field, creating space and potential one-on-one matchups to attack. A steady run game presence can also set up play-action opportunities as well.
This week, the Colts will be facing a Jets run defense that is allowing 4.3 yards per carry this season, which ranks 12th in the NFL through 10 weeks.