MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Anthony Richardson was a shock scratch for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6. However, the Miami Dolphins should hope for his speedy recovery for Week 7.
Richardson starting at quarterback — and Joe Flacco sitting — gives the underdog Dolphins their best chance to win Sunday.
Miami Dolphins’ Dilemma: Joe Flacco or Anthony Richardson?
Richardson has been dealing with an oblique injury that’s kept him out of the last two games. In the time he’s missed, Flacco has transformed the Colts’ passing game.
Flacco has been excellent in Season 17, completing 65.7% of his passes for seven touchdowns, one interception, a 102.2 rating, and a 71.8 QB rating.
He’s third among NFL quarterbacks with at least 80 snaps in EPA+CPOE composite (.159).
Richardson, meanwhile, is 32nd out of 33 quarterbacks in that stat (-.009).
Certainly, Richardson’s upside is far higher — he averages an astounding 16.8 yards per completion and 6.7 yards per carry– but on a down-in, down-out basis, he simply hasn’t gotten it done.
Richardson has completed just half of his passing attempts this year, has twice as many interceptions as touchdowns, and his success rate (42.2%) is ahead of just Andy Dalton, Will Levis, Bo Nix, Deshaun Watson, and Bryce Young.
So who’s playing this coming Sunday? It’s unclear at this point, but Richardson seems likely after being a near miss in Week 6.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen has said that Richardson will get the starting job back when healthy.
Talked to Colts QB Anthony Richardson en route to the team bus.
On Steichen's decision to hold him out, he said:
"Anything for the team, man. If they feel like it's best for me to sit another week. I'm listening to them. If they feel like it's best for me to go out there and…— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) October 13, 2024
“We gotta prepare for both,” Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell said. “That’s just more work for all of us. They both kind of played a few games this year. So at least there’s tape on both of them.
“Richardson is probably the ultimate athlete and, from a pass-rusher standpoint, the biggest challenge we’ll have so far this season.
“And then you have Joe Flacco. The secondary stuff is different, but for us up front, you know, he’s probably as close as you’ll get to a statue in the NFL. I did see the game, he kind of actually, you know, scrambled for a few yards and was moving around pretty good. But now in this day and age in this business, you know, I mean, you know, he’s the ideal guy you want to go after from a passer standpoint.
“But he also has a brilliant mind and can make every throw and, you know, he has weapons and he knows how to use them and he’s been playing some good football, which I expected. Preparing for both of them is a challenge, but that’s just how it goes.
“But, you know, Joe Flacco is one of the few guys older than me out there. So, you know, we got drafted the same year and I got a lot of respect for him.”
“But I’m looking forward to whoever plays, you know, to go out there and competing.”