The stats from the first half of this game when the quarterback played speak to a solid outing.He completed 11 of 14 passes.
That's good.His quarterback rating was a respectable 80.1.And Richardson led the Colts on a second-quarter TD drive.COLTS DECLINE ANTHONY RICHARDSON'S FIFTH-YEAR OPTION, SETTING FORMER NO.
4 OVERALL PICK UP FOR FREE AGENCYIndianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept.8, 2024, in Indianapolis.
(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)But those stats that suggest this was acceptable for a first game of 2026 lie.Because Richardson threw an interception on his third pass of the game.
And he fumbled in the second quarter.And those turnovers are what will glow in neon when coach Shane Steichen studies the game tape on Sunday, regardless of what he might tell reporters before or afterward.So, the grand Anthony Richardson experiment that was supposed to deliver a franchise quarterback certainly by the start of his fourth NFL season isn't going as scripted.The experiment instead caught fire Thursday evening and blew up the lab.Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during the national anthem prior to an NFL preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on August 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.(Michael Owens/Getty Images)And what does this all mean?This ain't it.Richardson did lead a touchdown drive, completing an 18-yard pass and a 9-yard pass on a screen.
He also had a 7-yard run and scored on a 1-yard sneak, reminding everyone that he’s a great athlete capable of doing damage with his legs.But the turnovers were cringey.They remind everyone that Richardson didn't play enough his previous three seasons and he doesn't maximize opportunities when he does play.Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the ...