The Colts offense is still out of sync after Flacco came in for Richardson

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have achieved their goal Midseason quarterback change to Anthony Richardson's Joe Flacco, focusing solely on the present and turning to the steady hand and still strong arm of a 17-year veteran for the best chance of catching the vulnerable Houston Texans in the division race.

If the Colts don't find a way to score more, the future will soon be here.

Flacco had a difficult return to the starting role Sunday night against Minnesota's defense, with one interception, three late sacks and just 179 yards on 16-for-27 passing in one 21-13 win from the Vikings.

“They’re definitely targeting us,” Flacco said. “They did what they wanted to do the whole game. We played here and there, but then we shot ourselves in the foot.”

The Colts (4-5) had just two field goals from Matt Gay in the second half. Kenny Moore II's fumble return touchdown was the highlight of their first half performance. They have scored a total of three offensive touchdowns in the last three games.

“They did a lot of good things defensively. They mixed up their reporting, quick glances. We knew it would be a big challenge at the start of the game. We played against a good football team, but in the end they weren't good enough. I have to get better,” coach Shane Steichen said, pledging to continue to examine the program thoroughly.

That's the priority for the coming week, not changing the lineup. Steichen said he didn't think about reinserting Richardson during the game and that Flacco would remain the starter for now.

“Maybe we could have made a few shots here and there, but he is a quiet guy who plays at a high level for a long time,” said Steichen. “I can say I have a lot of confidence in him.”

The Colts, who host Buffalo (7-2) next week, played just 49 plays and totaled 227 yards.

“We went over 50 a lot and just stalled where it was just too far to be a field goal,” wide receiver Alec Pierce said. “We need to do a better job of sustaining those drives.”

That starts on the ground, where Jonathan Taylor had nothing against a defense that came into the game with the third-best average in the NFL in yards allowed per rushing play. Taylor lost a fumble on the first drive that Harrison Smith recovered and finished the game with 13 carries for 48 yards and a long of 13 yards. He had three catches for 11 yards.

“We didn’t necessarily need to stack the box too much,” Smith said. “I think it was just the guys up front coming out of the blocks and making plays.”

Taylor rushed for 105 yards and touchdowns on 20 carries the week before against the Texans.

“We’re going to clean this up,” Steichen said. “I am firmly convinced that we will clean this up.”

Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, missed two games earlier this season with an oblique muscle injury. He was sidelined for the final 12 games of his rookie year due to a shoulder injury.

His running ability gives the Colts a completely different look, but Steichen dismissed questions about whether the abrupt change in style bothered the players.

“It’s like any other position, right? You have to deal with it,” said Steichen. “It’s next.”

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