The Indianapolis Colts’ offense is set to be at full strength this Sunday as they take on the Miami Dolphins, with quarterback Anthony Richardson poised to make his highly anticipated return to the starting lineup after missing the last two games with an oblique injury. But the good news doesn’t stop there for the Colts – Richardson will have his full complement of explosive playmakers at his disposal.
According to sources close to the team, the Colts’ top three wide receivers – Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce – are all expected to suit up despite being listed as questionable on the injury report. Pittman has been dealing with a back issue, Downs a toe injury, and Pierce a shoulder problem, but insiders say all three have looked good in practice and are ready to roll.
A Welcome Sight for the Colts’ Aerial Attack
Having their full arsenal of weapons available is a massive boost for a Colts offense that has struggled to find consistency this season, ranking just 24th in the league in points per game. Alec Pierce has been the team’s leading receiver thus far, racking up 368 yards and three touchdowns, while Pittman and Downs have combined for another 512 yards and four scores.
With Richardson back under center and his top targets healthy, the Colts will look to exploit a Dolphins secondary that has been vulnerable at times this season. Miami ranks 20th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game and has given up 12 touchdown passes through six games.
The Richardson Factor
Of course, much of the Colts’ success will hinge on the play of their dynamic young quarterback. The 22-year-old Richardson, selected fourth overall in the 2023 draft out of Florida, has flashed tantalizing potential but has also battled inconsistency and injury in his first two NFL seasons.
In his first four starts this year before going down with the oblique issue, Richardson completed 62.8% of his passes for 837 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions while adding another 124 yards and two scores on the ground. The Colts went 2-2 in those games.
“Anthony looked crisp in practice all week,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said. “He was throwing darts, moving well in the pocket and using his legs. We’re excited to have him back out there.”
– Shane Steichen, Colts head coach
With veteran backup Joe Flacco filling in the last two weeks, the Colts’ offense managed just 20 points in a win over the Jaguars and 17 points in a loss to the Titans. Having the multidimensional Richardson back in the fold should open things up and allow Indy to be more aggressive pushing the ball down the field.
Weapons Galore
Richardson will certainly have no shortage of talented targets to choose from. At 6’4″ and 223 pounds, Michael Pittman is a physically imposing presence on the outside who excels at winning contested catches and moving the chains. His 38 receptions and 416 yards both lead the team.
In the slot, rookie Josh Downs has been a revelation, catching 27 passes for 315 yards in his first six NFL games. The former North Carolina star has shown a knack for getting open quickly and is dangerous after the catch with his shiftiness and burst.
And then there’s second-year pro Alec Pierce, who has built on a promising rookie campaign and emerged as the Colts’ most explosive downfield threat. The 6’3″ speedster is averaging over 18 yards per reception and has found the end zone three times already.
Ground Game Grounding
As dangerous as the Colts’ passing game has the potential to be, they’ll need their rushing attack to step up and do its part to keep the offense balanced and the Dolphins’ defense honest. Lead back Jonathan Taylor is averaging a pedestrian 3.8 yards per carry on the season and hasn’t topped 65 rushing yards since Week 1.
Some more consistent running lanes from the offensive line and more decisive, downhill running from Taylor would go a long way in opening up play-action and bootleg opportunities for Richardson. If the Colts can get their ground game going and force Miami to commit extra defenders to the box, their passing game could feast on one-on-one matchups on the outside.
A Crucial Contest
At 3-3, the Colts find themselves in the thick of the early AFC playoff race, and a win over the 4-2 Dolphins would be a huge boost to their postseason chances. It won’t be easy against a talented Miami squad coming off a dramatic comeback victory, but if Richardson and his receiving corps can get in sync quickly, Indy has a chance to pull off the mild upset at home.
One thing is for sure – with their young quarterback and top pass-catchers back on the field together, the Colts’ aerial pyrotechnics show has a chance to be appointment viewing on Sunday. If they can light up the Dolphins and come away with a pivotal conference win, it just might be the spark that ignites a second-half surge up the standings.
