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Stephen Holder, ESPN
MINNEAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback move didn’t go exactly as planned, with the team’s offense producing its fewest points, yards and first downs of the season in the opener of Joe Flacco since he was named the starter over Anthony Richardson.
But coach Shane Steichen didn’t appear ready to reverse his highly controversial decision, saying following Indianapolis’ 21-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night that Flacco would remain the Colts’ QB1.
“For the moment, yes,” Steichen replied when asked if Flacco was still his starter.
Steichen’s decision was under scrutiny after he made the change Tuesday, and on Wednesday he told reporters the call was made because Flacco “gives us the best chance to win right now.”
Instead, the Colts fell to 4-5, and their offense seemed to take a step back, producing season lows in offensive points (six), yards (227) and first downs (13) while struggling to find consistency against Brian Flores. -directed defense.
The Colts were particularly unproductive in the first half, generating just 92 yards of offense and 62 yards passing.
Indianapolis was 3 of 11 on third down in the game, with Flacco going 3 of 9 for 47 yards in those scenarios.
“You know, coming here against a team like that, it’s going to be tough,” Flacco said. “But I don’t think you can ever anticipate something like that.”
In total, Flacco completed 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards with one interception, the result of a questionable call that allowed Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. to undercut Colts receiver Josh Downs on a breakout route third attempt.
Steichen said Flacco was “doing fine.”
“Obviously he’s played in environments like this before,” the coach said. “But again, it starts with myself…I have to continue to look at what we’re doing offensively. We have eight (games) left, and I have to look at the stuff in the plan and see what we do and go from there.
Richardson’s struggles were well documented, particularly his NFL-low 44.4 percent completion rate and seven interceptions. But the Colts did not take advantage of the qualities offered by the 22-year-old quarterback, such as his dangerous deep ball throws and his ability to run.
Flacco only generated two completions of more than 20 yards on Sunday. His 7.7 air yards per attempt were the Colts’ lowest in a game this season. Explosive plays are an area in which Richardson has excelled, with an NFL-high 12.3 air yards per attempt in 2024.
As for the running game, the Colts have struggled to produce consistent success against the Vikings’ formidable run defense. Richardson, a dual-threat quarterback, gave the Colts a boost on the ground that they may have missed on Sunday. Indianapolis finished with a season-low 68 rushing yards, with running back Jonathan Taylor (48 yards) matching his season-low output a week after rushing for 105 yards in a loss to the Houston Texans.
The quarterback change “definitely changes the plays we run,” receiver Alec Pierce said. “We don’t do as many (run-pass option) types of things.”
The offensive performance overshadowed a defensive surge by the Colts, who produced three turnovers, including a sack-fumble by Grover Stewart that was recovered and returned for a touchdown by Kenny Moore II.
It was the Colts’ only touchdown in the game.