Anthony Richardson Sr. absolutely balled out in the Colts’ preseason finale against the Detroit Lions on Saturday, slinging it for 80 yards on 7 of 10 passing before getting pulled midway through the second quarter. This guy is fighting hard for the backup quarterback job behind Daniel Jones, and his opening drive proved he’s not giving up an inch on that depth chart, which is exactly what he needed to do. Richardson knows he has to make every single opportunity count in this league, and he definitely made the most of his chances in this one, showing off that raw talent everyone knew he had.
That Opening Drive Spark
Talk about starting strong, huh? Richardson’s day kicked off with an absolute fireworks display. He quickly found veteran wideout Keenan Allen, who recently signed with the Colts to juice up their receiving corps, for a sweet 24-yard pass that absolutely zipped downfield. You could practically hear the ball whistle through the air! That first throw wasn’t just a completion; it was a pure showcase of Richardson’s powerful arm talent and exactly why the Colts were smart to grab a proven, reliable receiver like Allen. It was a strong throw, packed with serious velocity, and it instantly put the Colts deep in Lions territory. He was playing with a lineup of mostly backups, so having a steady, experienced veteran like Allen to connect with for a big play was a huge boost for Richardson on Saturday. This wasn’t just a completion; it was a statement that grabbed everyone’s attention.
Pushing Through The Ups and Downs
After that electrifying first drive ended in a field goal, the defense got in on the action, giving Richardson another shot at glory. Star cornerback Sauce Gardner snagged a slick interception on a short pass, putting the ball right back in Richardson’s hands for another offensive series. The next drive wasn’t totally perfect, though, let’s be honest. Richardson missed badly on a throw to the end zone that ultimately led to a third-and-8. Then, what looked like a promising 11-yard pass for a first down got called back on offensive pass interference. A short completion after that wasn’t enough for the first down, setting up another field goal. But here’s the kicker, folks: even with those couple of bumps and hurdles, Richardson stayed steady. He didn’t do anything that cost him ground in that intense QB2 battle with Riley Leonard. And let’s be real, Leonard hasn’t exactly been tearing it up in preseason, even though he did get the start in the second game over Richardson, who started the first and third games. Richardson absolutely needed a solid outing to stay in the mix, and he delivered when it counted.
What’s Next For The Former First-Round Pick
It’s no secret Richardson’s journey in the NFL has been a wild ride already. He was the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, a high-stakes selection, but he definitely struggled, especially with his accuracy, which ultimately led to Daniel Jones stepping in as the starter. There was even talk of Richardson wanting a trade in the offseason, but the Colts wisely held onto him, betting on that potential. Given all that history and the pressure, finishing the preseason on such a high note is absolutely massive for his confidence and future. Nobody knows exactly where Richardson’s career goes from here in the long run, but this performance, especially that explosive opening drive, proves he’s got the arm and the relentless drive to make a real impact. It gives Colts fans something tangible and exciting to seriously root for as the regular season kicks off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply