Colts rely on Anthony Richardson to deliver in third consecutive road game and revive playoff hopes

“What I have seen out of Anthony (Richardson) is a nice, calm, steady demeanor in really big moments, which is a good trait to have,” Cooter said. 

It may seem like just a regular Week 15 slate, but the stampede blue community recognizes that major playoff implications are at stake on Empower Field at Mile High this Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts face the Denver Broncos.

With a road win, the Colts playoff chances emerge to 66%, according to The New York Times 2024 NFL playoff simulator. With a loss, the Colts wild card hopes diminish to just 8%. Indianapolis (6-7) owns the tie-breaker over Miami (6-7), so taking the tie-breaker over Denver would realistically allow the Colts to control their own destiny.

Colts second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson rallied the Colts to consecutive road wins with game-winning touchdown drives in the final minute of each game. With 13 NFL starts, his pocket presence has shown signs of improvement and he has demonstrated the ability to deliver in the clutch.

“He’s unfazed by the big moments,” Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said during Tuesday’s zoom conference.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen has leaned on Richardson’s gifts as a dual-threat option. The 22-year-old signal caller is often taking deep shots as his 20.9% deep pass attempt rate is the highest among NFL starters, by far. Richardson will have to adjust to higher altitudes as the thinner air allows the football to travel farther at Mile High.

“What I have seen out of Anthony (Richardson) is a nice, calm, steady demeanor in really big moments, which is a good trait to have,” Cooter said.

Denver (8-5) comes off its bye week winners of three consecutive games and boasts one of the NFL’s most elite defensive units, especially inside the red zone. The Broncos limit opponents to just 18 points per game, which is tied for the second-fewest points allowed in the league. Opponents reach the end zone on just 43% of red zone opportunities and 53% when facing goal-to-go, which is the lowest rate in the league. The Broncos lead the league with 47 sacks and rank second allowing just 4.9 yards per play.

Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix has thrown 17 touchdown passes, while adding four rushing scores in his first 13 NFL games. Nix has showcased that he can escape the pocket to extend plays and make explosive plays on the run. He is the third rookie QB in NFL history to throw for 275 passing yards in three consecutive home games, joining Chargers’ Justin Herbert and Texans’ C.J. Stroud.

If Indianapolis handles business at Mile High, the rest of its regular season schedule is more than favorable. Down the home stretch, the Colts host the Titans (3-10), make their second trip to MetLife Stadium to face the Giants (2-11), then close out the regular season with a rematch against the Jaguars (3-10). Those three opponents are currently in line to claim three of the first five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Next week is set up to become perhaps the Hoosier state’s biggest week of football in the last decade.