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Stephen Holder, ESPN
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quarterback Anthony Richardson had simply thrown his first and solely landing move of the afternoon, however there was extra work to do. His Indianapolis Colts nonetheless trailed the New England Patriots by one level with 12 seconds remaining.
So, coach Shane Steichen confronted a choice and he in the end made the one Richardson hoped for — calling for his physically-imposing quarterback to maintain the ball on a game-winning 2-point conversion run.
“Whenever there is a scenario like that, I would really like the ball in my palms,” stated Richardson.
Richardson powered throughout the purpose line, reaching the top zone on a second effort whereas operating behind guard Quenton Nelson to provide the Colts a 25-24 come-from-behind win over the Patriots that stored Indianapolis’ playoff hopes alive. With the victory, Richardson continued his spectacular rebound from his current benching, engineering his second come-from-behind victory on a remaining drive in three weeks.
The resolution to go for the win, fairly than play for additional time with an additional level, was a straightforward one, Steichen stated.
“It was a kind of offers inside 30 seconds,” he stated. “I felt good in regards to the [play]name. Obviously, [you’ve] acquired to be ok with the decision, however you go for the win proper there in that scenario. If there was much more time, perhaps or two minutes or one thing, perhaps take the [extra point].”
He added, “You’re proper there with [12] seconds left. We’ve already made it down there. Let’s go win.”
According to ESPN Research, the Colts have been the primary workforce to aim a 2-point conversion when down by one level within the remaining 15 seconds of regulation since Week 12 of 2022. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers each had profitable 2-point makes an attempt on that day.
On Sunday, Richardson had simply thrown a 3-yard landing move to receiver Alec Pierce within the again nook of the top zone to chop the Patriots’ result in 24-23. The play capped a 19-play drive that lined 80 yards in 5 minutes, 22 seconds and included three transformed fourth downs.
Having already determined he would go for a 2-point conversion, Steichen knew precisely what play he wished when it got here to the essential try.
“Put it in [Richardson’s] palms to go get it,” he stated.
Richardson stated he had the choice handy the ball to operating again Jonathan Taylor on the play. But after studying the protection, he resolved to maintain the ball and deal with it himself.
“I used to be studying the surface guys on it, however as soon as I regarded within the center, I simply determined I used to be going to take it and simply put it in my palms,” he stated. “… And we made it occur.”
The sport not solely gave Richardson his second come-from-behind win in three video games, following his highly effective scoring run towards the New York Jets in Week 11. It additionally gave him his third game-winning drive within the fourth quarter or additional time this season, the second most behind Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes. Richardson led a game-winning drive towards the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, although the groups have been tied and the Colts didn’t path within the remaining quarter.
But by any measurement, Richardson is displaying dramatic progress since his two-week benching final month, throughout which veteran Joe Flacco began and went 0-2.
Richardson threw two interceptions earlier within the sport and was the sufferer of two irritating dropped passes contained in the pink zone on the game-winning drive. Overall, his passing numbers — 12-of-24 for 109 yards — have been mediocre and restricted by lopsided time of possession due to the Colts’ defensive lapses. But Richardson stored his composure, one thing for which he’s gaining a status.
“He got here again and he is enjoying on a special stage,” receiver Michael Pittman Jr. stated. “And we will get behind him and hopefully go on a run.”
The Colts entered the sport with a 25% likelihood of constructing the playoffs, in response to ESPN Analytics. Without taking into consideration the outcomes of Sunday’s video games, they elevated these odds to 31% with the win. But the Colts have one of many best remaining slates of video games within the NFL, with the Denver Broncos the one one in every of their 4 remaining opponents with a successful document.
Said linebacker Zaire Franklin of Richardson: “He’s a competitor. He’s a pacesetter. And I feel once you’ve acquired a man like that on the quarterback place, I feel you have acquired an opportunity. So, fortunately, he is on our facet.”
