The return of Anthony Richardson to the starting lineup has provided the Indianapolis Colts offense and team with a spark. However, that unit will face a difficult test against a stingy Denver defense.
The Broncos will enter this game, allowing only 18.0 points per contest–the second-lowest mark in football this season. This is a defense that has made it difficult for opposing offenses both on the ground and through the air.
Denver is allowing only 3.8 yards per rush, the third-lowest average through 14 weeks, and is surrendering the fourth-lowest yards per pass attempt at 6.1 while also generating the third-highest quarterback pressure rate.
Really, in all facets, the Colts’ offense is going to be challenged this week.
Led by Richardson and a pair of late game-winning drives, the Indianapolis Colts 2-1 in their last three games, which includes eclipsing 25 points in those two wins.
Richardson has been playing at a higher level, showcasing a greater command of the offense, improved mechanics, and often operating within the timing and rhythm of the play. In fact, from Weeks 11-13, Richardson was PFF’s sixth-highest-graded quarterback during that span.
However, while all of that is true, and extremely encouraging, the offense is still in need of more overall consistency, especially against a defense of Denver’s caliber.
Richardson–like any young quarterback–is still growing, and dropped passes have been an issue in recent weeks, not to mention that since Richardson returned, he’s been pressured at the fifth-highest rate among all quarterbacks.
Another promising development against New England was the Colts’ effectiveness in the run game, but that performance came on the heels of what had been a month-plus of struggles to get that element going.
While Richardson’s growth in the pass game is garnering the attention–as it should–success for the Colts’ offense still begins with the run game, staying ahead of the sticks, and building the passing game off of the rush attack.
This matchup with Denver will be a very good barometer of where this Colts’ offense is really at–challenging them both on the ground and through the air, along with this being a playoff-like game for Indianapolis in what is essentially a must-win.