Up against their most difficult test regarding scrambling quarterbacks, the Lions must contain Anthony Richardson and force him to beat them with his arm over his legs.
In the modern NFL, you’re at a disadvantage if your quarterback is a statue. Having someone who can escape pressure and run for yardage or execute designed run plays has increased over the years. While teams can still find success with a pocket passer under center (*cough, the Detroit Lions*) more teams are starting to draft quarterbacks who can give them that extra dimension.
The Indianapolis Colts drafted quarterback Anthony Richardson last year, and while he is labeled as a project type of quarterback, his size, speed, and throwing power give him all the tools to be a great starter if he can develop correctly. While his accuracy and risk-taking are current flaws, he has started to improve his ability to run the football.
In years past, one of the many problems with the Lions’ defense was facing a quarterback who can scramble. That problem hasn’t been as impactful this season, but Richardson is a different type of quarterback they have yet to see. Let me explain why the Lions must contain Richardson in the pocket to avoid an upset in Indianapolis.
Richardson has increased running production
In his rookie season, Richardson only played in four games due to injury. In those four games, Richardson had 25 carries for 211 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per carry with four touchdowns. He fumbled the ball three times and turned it over once.
In 2024, Richardson missed two games due to an oblique injury and was benched for two games after “needing a breather.” In the seven games he has started, Richardson has seen a slight uptick in his running frequency from 2023. He carries the ball, on average, seven times a game (up from six). His production on a per-carry basis, though, is actually down. He has 51 carries for 274 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry with three touchdowns, fumbling the ball eight times, and losing it three times.
With Richardson seeing an uptick in his carries from last season, and even as this season has progressed (21 in the first four games, 30 in his previous three), it’s clear that the Colts want to have him run the ball more. Whether that is by design or not, Richardson’s 4.4 speed and 6-foot-4 frame is a weapon the Colts are leaning into now.
Lions QB contain has done well
Lions fans used to cower in fear when they had to worry about a scrambling quarterback. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn isn’t a fan of quarterback spies, so it made the defense’s job more challenging to keep the quarterback from escaping and keeping plays alive. This season, though, the Lions have faced multiple scrambling-style quarterbacks and have come away with little damage overall.
- Baker Mayfield: Five carries for 34 yards and a touchdown
- Kyler Murray: Five carries for 45 yards
- Geno Smith: Five carries for 38 yards
- Dak Prescott: One carry for 1 yard
- Jordan Love: Three carries for 0 yards
- C.J. Stroud: One carry for 5 yards
Altogether, the Lions have held the scrambling-styled quarterbacks to 20 carries for 123 yards and one touchdown, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, with six forced fumbles. Compared to years past, this is probably the best the team has ever done with it.
Two things will make things more difficult this week, though. First, Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is out with a broken forearm, leaving the team without their fastest linebacker. Analzone is also the most experienced linebacker in the group, so his ability to know what Richardson might do next is gone.
The second is that Richardson’s pure size isn’t going to be easy to take down. The Lions have faced similar builds of Richardson in Smith, Love, and Stroud, but Richardson is different. He isn’t as old as Smith, so he will be faster. He isn’t dealing with a groin injury that Love was dealing with, and unlike Stroud, he is used to running the football more with plays designed for it. He will be the first true rushing quarterback the team has seen since Murray back in Week 3, but just bigger, stronger, and tougher to tackle.
Richardson has struggled as a passer
One reason Richardson might be seeing an increase in his carries is the struggles he has been having as a passer. Out of all 32 starting quarterbacks, he has the lowest completion percentage (48.5%) and has thrown only five touchdowns to his seven interceptions. Richardson has an issue with ball security, which should be music to the Lions defenders’ ears.
If the Lions can contain Richardson and force him to throw the football, Richardson could end up gifting them an interception. Richardson is fearless in taking deep shots with his strong arm, but the issue of his accuracy will come into play in the end. What will make his job more difficult is facing the best safety duo in the NFL in Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. The two have 11 combined picks, with Joseph leading the NFL with seven.
The Lions’ defense ranks t-fourth in takeaways, forcing 14 interceptions and five fumble recoveries. With Richardson’s ball security issues, it’s a huge advantage for the Lions. This is why if the Lions can limit Richardson’s legs and force him to throw the ball, they’re likely to pick up their 10th win of the season.
