Tag: Joe Flacco

Michael Pittman learned Joe Flacco was his new starting QB via social media because the Colts are doing great

Yes, why tell your top wideout his starting quarterback’s been benched?

Michael Pittman Jr., like the rest of the Indianapolis Colts’ offense, is going through a rough patch in 2024.

The big-bodied possession receiver has seen his numbers drop for the league’s 19th-ranked offense. His receptions per game are down from a career-best 6.8 in 2023 to just 3.6 this fall. His 41.5 percent success rate on targets is a career low by nearly 10 full points.

The culprit is an unstable passing game. Second year quarterback Anthony Richardson dialed up the kind of big downfield throws you’d want from a franchise quarterback, but completed just 44 percent of them to start the season. That led to a change before Week 9, making 38-year-old veteran Joe Flacco the team’s starter.

Pittman wasn’t given the chance to offer the Indianapolis coaching staff his thoughts about a potential switch before it happened. In fact, he didn’t even know Flacco was being elevated until he read about it on social media.

That’s a rough look for a team whose inconsistency has doomed it to a 4-4 record this fall. The Colts are very much in the playoff race, which is what justified the switch from the high ceiling, low floor passing of Richardson to the more stable Flacco. It still feels like something that should have been communicated to the team’s wideouts before it hit Twitter, however.

Colts coach Shane Steichen denied that Anthony Richardson removing himself for a breather led to his benching

But he still criticized the QB for it.

Sunday’s Week 8 loss to the Texans seemed to be the final straw for the Colts and starting quarterback Anthony Richardson. The No. 4 pick from the 2023 NFL Draft was demoted in favor of 39-year-old Joe Flacco, and one moment, in particular, fueled questions behind the benching.

As the Colts were driving inside the red zone during the third quarter, Richardson removed himself from the game after a sack on second and goal. The Colts had to settle for a field goal on the drive, and Richardson admitted that he took himself out of the game because he was tired.

Colts coach Shane Steichen was understandably asked if that had anything to do with Richardson’s benching. Steichen denied that it played a part in the decision, but still criticized Richardson for it.

Steichen considered the mishap a development moment for Richardson. But even if that wasn’t the reason behind the benching, it couldn’t have inspired much confidence inside that coaching room.

You can’t have a quarterback taking himself out of the game to rest.

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Jets might face unexpected quarterback in coming weeks

Jets might face unexpected quarterback in coming weeks

As it relates to the New York Jets, all eyes are turning toward the Houston Texans.

The Jets (2-6) next face the Texans (6-2) in an AFC clash in Week 9.

However, soon after that in Week 10, the Indianapolis Colts (4-4) will host the Jets.

They will not be led by Anthony Richardson at quarterback.

According to Colts Wire, Indy will be benching Anthony Richardson in favor of veteran backup Joe Flacco.

Flacco will now make this third start of the season on Sunday night and against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9. It’s possible that Flacco, 39, will still be under center the following weeks as well after the update.

On the surface, the news is surprising.

Underneath, it is not. Flacco has played well in his earlier starts this year. He is 1-1 overall in 2024.

However, there was an issue last week for the Colts and Richardson.

In a tight AFC South race, Indianapolis lost 23-20 to the Houston Texans last week who lead their division. Richardson was playing poorly in the outing, and out of nowhere, he decided to sub himself out of the game and later admitted that he was simply “tired” and needed a rest.

That is something unheard of for a starting quarterback in the NFL. The headlines that followed were expectedly bad for the team and QB and now Flacco will get the nod.

Things could change after Week 9 and until then Jets Wire will provide updates as information becomes available.

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Bills might face unexpected quarterback in coming weeks

Bills might face unexpected quarterback in coming weeks

As it relates to the Buffalo Bills, all eyes are turning toward the Miami Dolphins.

The Bills (6-2) next face the Dolphins (2-5) in an AFC East clash in Week 9.

However, soon after that in Week 10, the Indianapolis Colts (4-4) will head to Highmark Stadium.

They will not be led by Anthony Richardson at quarterback.

According to Colts Wire, Indy will be benching Anthony Richardson in favor of veteran backup Joe Flacco.

Flacco will now make this third start of the season on Sunday night and against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9. It’s possible that Flacco, 39, will still be under center the following week as well after the update.

On the surface, the news is surprising.

Underneath, it is not. Flacco has played well in his earlier starts this year. He is 1-1 overall in 2024.

However, there was an issue last week for the Colts and Richardson.

In a tight AFC South race, Indianapolis lost 23-20 to the Houston Texans last week who lead their division. Richardson was playing poorly in the outing, and out of nowhere, he decided to sub himself out of the game and later admitted that he was simply “tired” and needed a rest.

That is something unheard of for a starting quarterback in the NFL. The headlines that followed were expectedly bad for the team and QB and now Flacco will get the nod.

Things could change after Week 9 and until then Bills Wire will provide updates as information becomes available.

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Joe Flacco to start at QB for Colts against Vikings

Joe Flacco is in and Anthony Richardson is out at QB for the Colts

The only excuse Anthony Richardson will have for being tired Sunday when the Indianapolis Colts play the Minnesota Vikings is because it is a night game.

The 2023 first-round pick will not be the quarterback for the Colts, That role goes to veteran Joe Flacco.

Richardson made unfortunate NFL news in Week 8 when he pulled himself from a loss to the Houston Texans because he was tired before a key play.

That obviously didn’t sit well with coach Shane Steichen and Richardson now will be the backup to Flacco.

Colts make quarterback change 7 weeks ahead of Broncos game

The Colts have benched Anthony Richardson in favor of Joe Flacco. The Broncos will host Indy in Week 15.

Seven weeks ahead of their road game against the Denver Broncos in Week 15, the Indianapolis Colts are making a change at quarterback.

The Colts have benched struggling quarterback Anthony Richardson in favor of a veteran who is familiar to Broncos fans. Indianapolis is turning the offense over to Joe Flacco, who started two games earlier this year when Richardson was injured.

Up next for the Colts (4-4) is a road game against the Minnesota Vikings (5-2) on Sunday Night Football in Week 9. Six weeks after that game, Denver will host Indy at Empower Field at Mile High on Dec. 15.

Richardson, 22, completed 44.4% of his passes for 958 yards this season with four touchdowns against seven interceptions. He has also rushed for 242 yards and a touchdown and fumbled six times. Flacco, 39, has completed 65.7% of his passes for 716 yards with seven touchdowns against one interception.

After 11 years with the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco spent one season with the Broncos in 2019. He went 2-6 as a starter in Denver. Flacco has spent time with four other teams since his stint with the Broncos. His career win-loss record is 104-83.

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Colts seem unsure of which quarterback will face the Vikings in Week 9

While the Vikings seem set with their roster and lineup, the Colts have questions at quarterback that need to be answered. 

The Minnesota Vikings have gone from 5-0 to 5-2 and are now heading toward the bottom of the highly competitive NFC North. They are set to face the Indianapolis Colts, who are having struggles of their own, which makes their matchup in Week 9 much more interesting.

While the Vikings seem set with their roster and lineup, the Colts have questions at quarterback that need to be answered.

When speaking to the media, Colts coach Shane Steichen was asked if Anthony Richardson would start for the team on Sunday night. His response was “We’re evaluating everything.”

The Colts have had mild success with the second-year quarterback out of Florida, but at times, he has looked lost. His poor performance is that of a quarterback with less than 20 college football games to his credit, whereas his backup, Joe Flacco, has enough experience for three quarterback careers.

Either way, the Colts are looking at an interesting matchup, but for the Vikings, they have to favor playing Richardson rather than Flacco.

Veteran wisdom of Ravens icon Joe Flacco impresses Colts teammate

While Joe Flacco has put up big numbers, what he does beyond the box score has really impressed Colts running back Jonathan Taylor

Joe Flacco played 11 seasons for the Baltimore Ravens, earning a Super Bowl MVP honor after the 2012 season. Once he retires from the NFL, his place in the team’s Ring of Honor is all but assured.

But he is now with the Indianapolis Colts, his sixth different team since leaving Charm City. With Colts QB1 Anthony Richardson out with a hip injury, Flacco has filled in admirably.

Flacco has completed 71-of-108 passes (65.7%) for 716 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception across four games.

While Flacco has put up some stellar numbers, what he does beyond the box score has impressed Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.

“Joe brings something that you can’t just go and get anywhere,” Taylor said in an exclusive with RG.org. “You can’t just draft that and trade for it. Someone who’s played winning football for a long time and it comes with experience. There’s not much defenses can throw at him that he hasn’t already seen.”

The 25-year-old former Badger back wasn’t done praising his elder statesmen (Flacco turns 40 in January) backfield mate.

“He’s very calm, cool, and poised in the huddle — no matter what the situation is,” Taylor continued.

“It’s actually pretty cool to see how he operates and see how he works. He’s super knowledgeable and focused, which is amazing to see. I love watching him because it’s amazing he’s still going.”

It is amazing that he’s still going, and it’s likely those top-notch intangibles that have kept him in the game this long. Flacco saved the Cleveland Browns season last year, a feat that (although it won’t exactly win over hearts and minds in Baltimore) earned him the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

Flacco also appeared on this week’s edition of the Monday Night Football “Manningcast” program with Peyton and Eli Manning. During his appearance on the show, which covered the Baltimore Ravens’ 41-31 win at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he made it clear that he won’t be rooting for the team with which he is most synonymous.

“I literally wish all the other 31 teams could lose somehow,” as quoted in the Indy Star. “I don’t root for another quarterback. I don’t root for another team.”

While that includes Baltimore, and it may not be what Ravens fans want to hear, it’s the right thing to say. It’s the words of a seasoned veteran who knows how to convey leadership in the locker room and the media.

 

 

ManningCast to feature two legendary former Ravens as Baltimore faces Tampa Bay

ManningCast to feature two legendary former Ravens Joe Flacco and Ed Reed as Baltimore faces Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Baltimore Ravens in a Week 7 matchup on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The matchup will feature two 4-2 division leaders.

As is the case for most big games, ESPN2 and ESPN+ will feature Peyton and Eli’s ‘ManningCast,’ and the guest list for this week will include two former legendary Ravens.

Flacco will certainly break down the quarterback play while giving insight into what has allowed the Super Bowl-winning signal-caller to flourish in key spots over the past two years. Ed Reed’s segment will certainly feature a lot of X/O talk, with great storytelling and analysis.

Colts expect to have QB Anthony Richardson back vs. Dolphins in Week 7

The Colts expect to have Anthony Richardson back in the lineup Sunday, but is that a good thing or a bad thing for the Dolphins?

The Indianapolis Colts were without starting quarterback Anthony Richardson in their last two games, but head coach Shane Steichen expects to have the second-year passer back in the lineup Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

“Unless there’s a setback, I think he’ll be ready to go,” Steichen said of Richardson on Monday.

Richardson, 22, dealt with an oblique injury that he suffered early in the Colts’ Week 4 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Backup quarterback Joe Flacco took over in that victory and started for Indianapolis in games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

On Sunday, Richardson was inactive, but available to the team as an emergency third quarterback.

“[We] wanted to make sure he’s 100 percent,” Steichen said. “That’s what really went into the decision. He’s really close – really close, which is why we had him as our third emergency quarterback. But he should be looking really good this week.”

Prior to his injury, Richardson completed 50.6 of his passes for 654 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions. He also added 141 rushing yards and a touchdown.

In his absence, Flacco completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 716 yards with seven touchdowns and an interception.

The Dolphins have never faced Richardson, but are 3-6 all-time in games against Flacco. He has 12 career touchdown passes against Miami with four interceptions and most recently faced the Dolphins in Week 18 of the 2022 season as a member of the New York Jets.

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