The second-year WR is expected to make his season debut this Sunday against the Chicago Bears. “In my opinion, I’m playing this week” Downs said to the local media.
With as much excitement as there’s been for an Anthony Richardson-led Colts offense, there’s been an equal amount of uncertainty surrounding what has been a Josh Downs-less offense. That’s not to say Shane Steichen’s offense cannot operate without one player, but Downs’ absence has been wildly overlooked through two weeks.
It’s been established that Anthony Richardson and Josh Downs have unquestioned chemistry that was developed early on during their rookie seasons. Two weeks into the 2024 season however has revealed just how important Downs is to Indy’s offense.
A lack of drive-sustaining plays has been the main issue with the #Colts offense. Too many deep 3s & not enough layups.
Anthony Richardson and fans alike should be ecstatic for 1’s return. Josh Downs is a mismatch in the slot & will remind us all that layup lines are important. pic.twitter.com/T8imAjTFfP
— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) September 18, 2024
It’s now as evident as ever that Anthony Richardson, or any QB for that matter, needs someone of Josh Downs’ skillset and caliber to do the dirty work underneath. Explosive plays have by no means been scarce through 2 games thus far for Indy’s offense, but rather the quick hitters that keep the offense on schedule. Tight end Mo Alie-Cox has always done a solid job in the passing game, but he doesn’t quite move the needle like Downs does. The types of routes that Downs is responsible for ultimately make the quarterback’s life easier as he serves as a security blanket underneath.
Josh Downs is so pivotal to this offense due to his expertise as a route-runner, specifically, in that of option routes and RPOs. Since preseason play began, Richardson has struggled to build a connection with any pass catcher other than Alec Pierce. Granted, Pierce is a bonafide deep threat so he wouldn’t be the main focus on either of those routes anyway, but Downs fitting back into that glove can only be a positive development. Indianapolis currently ranks 2nd in the NFL in RPO reps, only to Green Bay, which adds to how significant Downs’ return will be given how inefficient and off-page the passing game has been in this area.
Meanwhile, the Colts rushing attack has remained as efficient as ever despite the shortcomings that have opened their season. Their league-leading 6.1 yards per carry coupled with its high-flying passing game may seem unfathomable for why they’ve struggled thus far. It’s only when you recognize that Indy’s time of possession has yet to eclipse 20 total minutes that you begin to realize that they’re being forced into its aforementioned deep passing game. With the addition of Downs, the offense doesn’t have to rely on the run game versus heavy boxes for 1st and 2nd down anymore. His services will inevitably open the field up which should prove fruitful for the offense as a whole.
So much weight will be lifted off the offense’s shoulders, especially the passing game, once Downs is back in the lineup. Again, this isn’t meant to suggest that receiving options Michael Pittman Jr. and Adonai Mitchell are off the hook for their poor performances thus far, but more so that Josh Downs should breathe life into Anthony Richardson’s confidence in the short passing game while the receiving options not named Alec Pierce should feel comfortable moving forward.
