The Indianapolis Colts are on their bye week, and when they return in Week 15, only four games will be left on the schedule.
The Colts ultimate goal right now is to make the playoffs with their hopes still alive and a pivotal matchup with Denver awaiting them. However, Pro Football Focus has another goal for the Colts, and if accomplished, it will play a key role in helping potentially make the playoffs.
PFF recently selected on goal that each team should try to achieve in their remaining games this season. For the Colts that was making life easier on Anthony Richardson.
Although the stat sheet hasn’t reflected it in recent weeks, our eyes can see the major strides that Anthony Richardson has made since returning to the lineup. His overall command of the offense and playing within the timing and structure of the play have all improved.
In fact, out of all quarterbacks since Week 11, Richardson’s PFF grade is the sixth-best during that span.
However, as PFF notes, the help around him hasn’t always been there. Dropped pass have been a major issue with the Colts ranking 20th in dropped passes this season with 19, seven of which have come in the past three games alone.
In addition to that, although it was improved against New England, the pass protection had been shaky and the Colts had struggled to get things going in the run game, which is still the catalyst for this offense.
A steady presence on the ground keeps the offense ahead of the sticks and takes some of the burden off of the passing game’s shoulders. And again, with a change at right guard, Bernhard Raimann returning, and Ryan Kelly on his way back as well, the offensive line play did and should continue to improve.
But when it comes to the reliability in the passing game, well, we are still in wait and see mode there.
