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Good, and not so good, as Anthony Richardson, Colts whip Bengals

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INDIANAPOLIS – The range of possibilities was on full display Thursday night at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium.

Deal with it.

In the final tune up before scores matter – that would be Sept. 8 against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium – the Indianapolis Colts saw their most influential player for the present and future start about as well as possible against the Bengals’ backups, then fall prey to miscommunications and errant throws. With at least one All-Pro throw mixed in, of course.

That was Anthony Richardson in a 27-14 win over the Bengals that everyone soon will forget.

“Stuff’s going to happen,’’ he said. “Stuff (is) not going to always go our way. “There’s going to be incomplete passes. I’m going to miss some passes. The receivers are going to drop some.

“But it’s cool. Stuff like that (is) going to happen.’’

Stuff like an opening 12-play drive that was textbook perfect. Richardson completed 7-of-8 passes for 65 yards, the final 9 for a touchdown to rookie AD Mitchell. Crisp, decisive and with a steady dose of Jonathan Taylor, who handled four carries for 15 yards and then traded his helmet for a bucket hat and found a comfy spot on the sideline.

And stuff like four subsequent drives that included of a pair of three-and-outs, a sack/strip of Richardson that Quenton Nelson covered and a pick-6 to Cincinnati safety Jordan Battle when Richardson and tight end Kylen Granson clearly weren’t working from the same page.

Richardson took a short drop and expected Granson to slide inside. Instead, his tight end moved outside.

As Battle strolled into the end zone, Richardson looked at Granson with his arms extended and palms up. They met on the field and Richardson seemed to say, “You broke out.’’ 

“The interception, man, that was a tough one,’’ Richardson said. “Communication right there. Granson saw something and I saw something else.

“We’ve just got to be on the same page right there.’’

Shane Steichen saw things similarly.

“We’ll go back and get that thing cleaned up,’’ he said. “Not concerned about that.’’

There were at least two errant throws, one that Michael Pittman Jr. still should have pulled in and another an overthrow to a wide open Mitchell on third-and-6.

And there was a 21-yard dart to Granson on a deep slant despite solid coverage.

Good, bad and some in between.

After his 7-of-8 start, Richardson finished 1-of-6 with the interception.

Deal with it. Richardson’s NFL resume consists of four starts and 84 pass attempts.

“Look, guys are going to miss throws, you know what I mean?’’ Steichen said. “Guys are going to miss throws, I don’t care if you’re a second-year player or a 15-year vet.

“Guys are going to miss throws. I don’t have any concerns with that.’’

Truth be told, everyone should anticipate similar inconsistencies as the Colts expect Richardson to be the catalyst for a first playoff berth since 2020 and, perhaps, a first AFC South championship since 2014.

It’s encouraging he’ll be the first Colts’ quarterback to start consecutive season openers since Andrew Luck (from 2012-16).

But there’s every reason for apprehension. It’s impossible not to factor in Richardson will have 17 starts under his belt after graduating from Eastside H.S. in Gainesville – 13 at Florida, four with the Colts before his rookie season ended with a sprained right shoulder – when he faces the Texans in 17 days.

Often, with a lack of experience comes wild swings in efficiency.

Again, strap in for what might be a wild ride in ’24.

Steichen hasn’t attempted to disguise his enthusiasm for what’s to come.

“This will be his first full season, which we’re looking forward to,’’ he said. “I go back to just his play-making ability. He’s going to make some huge plays for us this year.

“I think it’s going to be awesome and fun to watch.’’

Despite the hiccups, Richardson was in his element.

“It’s always fun when I get to play football,’’ he said. “I’m just excited to play. I love being on the field with my teammates. I just love being on the field in general.

“When Week 1 does come, when it does show up, I’ll be ready to play.’’

Defense dominates

Coordinator Gus Bradley mirrored the offensive approach and went with his starting defense into the second quarter. It was no contest as the Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor rested his No. 1 offense.

The Colts’ No. 1 defense was intact for the first four series and limited the Bengals to 24 yards on 16 plays. Excluding a kneel-down to end the first half, Cincy’s first seven drives were six punts and a lost fumble.

The Bengals finished with 158 total yards, and 76 came in the fourth quarter when they generated their only offensive touchdown.

Rookie Laiatu Latu was on the field for eight snaps and made a difference. He beat left tackle Cody Ford, who’s normally a guard, for a first-quarter sack, although DeForest Buckner probably earned partial credit for the takedown of Logan Woodside.

Genard Avery also had a sack of Woodside while tackle Eric Johnson II chased down a scrambling Woodside and forced a fumble that was recovered by safety Michael Tutsie.

Closing kick

The offense sealed things by going 4-for-4 on scoring drives in the second half: a 1-yard touchdown run by rookie quarterback Jason Bean, a 40-yarder by running back Demetric Felton and 56- and 41-yard field goals by rookie Spencer Shrader.

“It was a good way to end the preseason with the W,’’ Steichen said. “I thought the guys did a hell of a job in the second half.’’


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