Will Anthony Richardson take the Indianapolis Colts to the playoffs this season? Most fans and experts would laugh at that question. And that makes sense, seeing that the Colts own a not-so-great 0-2 record. It’s unlikely, but certainly not impossible.
The Houston Texans, Indy’s AFC South rival, started 0-2 last season. Yet, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and Co. turned their campaign around and made the playoffs. Anthony Richardson and the Colts can do the same thing this season. But it will be a challenging task.
Can Anthony Richardson Lead the Colts to the Playoffs?
History of NFL Teams Reaching the Playoffs Following a Slow Start
Again, reaching the playoffs after starting 0-2 is hard. Kevin Patra of nfl.com touched on this subject.
“The yearly stats for 0-2 squads are infamous. From 1990 through last season, 279 teams began 0-2. Of them, just 32 made the playoffs (11.5%), 17 won a division title (6.1%) and three won the Super Bowl (1.1%). Over the past three years, 19 of 21 clubs to start 0-2 missed the playoffs.”
The Colts, of course, will be 0-3 if they lose to the Chicago Bears in Week 3. Patra also wrote about the history of teams losing their first three games:
“Another loss to fall to 0-3 could be considered the death knell of the season. Of 162 teams to start a campaign with back-to-back-to-back defeats since 1990, just four made the postseason, two won the division and zero hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.”
With that said, it isn’t easy to make the postseason after going 0-2. And it certainly isn’t easy after starting 0-3. The Colts will have to find a way to turn their season around.
Is Anthony Richardson “The Man”?
Horrible run defense has been the main reason for the Colts’ struggles this year. The team has allowed 474 rushing yards through two games. Yes, that is way too many yards to surrender. Things could get worse now with defensive tackle DeForest Buckner set to miss at least four games due to injury.
If the Colts can fix their run defense, they have a shot at making the playoffs. They also have a chance if Anthony Richardson can step up.
Richardson is coming off a bad performance against the Green Bay Packers. The Colts quarterback completed just 17 of his 34 pass attempts for 204 yards and a touchdown. He threw three interceptions as well. Some fans were hoping Richardson would get benched, sort of like the Carolina Panthers did to Bryce Young recently.
Sorry Colts fans, it’s not time to bench Richardson and start Joe Flacco just yet. Richardson may be inexperienced, but he has all the talent in the world. He has the tools needed to become an elite dual-threat QB. If he can improve his accuracy and put this injury-riddled Colts squad on his back, the team can make the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 campaign.
Richardson is surrounded by weapons like Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., and Josh Downs, who missed the first two games. Plus, receiver Alec Pierce has finally been unlocked. These playmakers can help Richardson become the quarterback he’s supposed to be. Hopefully, the Colts find a way to turn their season around.
Main Image: Grace Hollars – USA Today Sports
