Colts QB Anthony Richardson (back/foot) downgraded to out; Joe Flacco will start against the Giants

According to Next Gen Stats, Indianapolis currently has an 11% chance of making the playoffs, but a win on Sunday against the Giants would increase that number to 17%. While the Colts would still need help getting into the postseason with two wins in the last two weeks, a loss on Sunday would knock Indy out of contention entirely.

They’ll turn to Flacco to keep those hopes alive, but having the wily veteran in the starting lineup isn’t an unfamiliar scenario for the Colts.

Steichen substituted Richardson for Flacco midway through the season as the second-year QB had issues in the passing game. The veteran QB had shown he could bolster the Colts’ offense through the air when he replaced the injured Richardson several times early in the 2024 season, but his 1-3 record at the helm wasn’t good enough, prompting Steichen to do so , naming Richardson as the starter once again.

Since then, the Colts have relied on a ferocious ground attack to get back into the game. The Colts totaled 335 rushing yards in a win over the Tennessee Titans last week, setting the franchise’s new single-game record. Richardson helped that cause with 70 yards on nine carries and a rushing touchdown.

Playing against a Giants team that has given up 142.6 rushing yards per game, ranking 31st in the league, Indianapolis could see if Jonathan Taylor has another big game after rushing for 218 yards last week has produced. However, Richardson will not be there to reinforce this accusation.

Colts-Giants kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.