MINNEAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback move didn’t exactly play out as expected, with the team’s offense producing its fewest points, yards, and first downs of the season in Joe Flacco’s first game since being named the starter over Anthony Richardson.
But coach Shane Steichen did not appear ready to revisit his much-debated decision, saying in the wake of Indianapolis’ 21-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night that Flacco will remain the Colts’ QB1.
Steichen’s decision was under scrutiny after he initiated the change Tuesday and, on Wednesday, told reporters the call was made because Flacco “gives us the best chance to win right now.”
Instead, the Colts fell to 4-5, and their offense seemed to take a step back, producing season lows in offensive points (six), yards (227), and first downs (13) while struggling to find any consistency against the Brian Flores-led defense.
The Colts were particularly unproductive in the first half, generating just 92 yards of offense and 62 passing yards.
Indianapolis was 3-for-11 in third-down efficiency for the game, with Flacco going 3-of-9 for 47 yards in those scenarios.
Flacco completed 16 of his 27 passes for 179 yards with one interception, the result of a questionable decision that allowed Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. to undercut Colts wide receiver Josh Downs on a third-down outbreaking route.
Steichen said Flacco “was fine.”
“Obviously, he’s played in environments like this before,” the coach said. “But again, it starts with myself … I’ve got to keep looking at what we’re doing offensively. We have eight [games] left, and I’ve got to look at scheme stuff and see what we’re doing and go from there.”
Richardson’s struggles were well-documented, especially his NFL-low 44.4% completion rate and seven interceptions. But the Colts missed the attributes the 22-year-old quarterback provides, including his dangerous deep-ball throws and running ability.
Flacco on Sunday generated just two completions longer than 20 yards. His 7.7 air yards per attempt was the lowest by the Colts in a game this season. Explosive plays is an area where Richardson excelled, with an NFL-high 12.3 air yards per attempt in 2024.
As for the running game, the Colts struggled to produce any consistent success against the Vikings’ formidable run defense. Indianapolis finished with a season-low 68 rushing yards in Minneapolis, with running back Jonathan Taylor (48 yards) matching his lowest output of the season one week after rushing for 105 yards in a loss at the Houston Texans.
The change in quarterback “definitely changes up the plays that we run,” Indy wideout Alec Pierce said. “We’re not doing as many [run-pass option] types of things.”
The offensive performance overshadowed a defensive surge by the Colts, who produced three turnovers, including a strip sack by Grover Stewart that was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by Kenny Moore II. It was the Colts’ only TD of the game.
Time.news Interview with Stephen Holder, ESPN NFL Expert
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Stephen! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent developments with the Indianapolis Colts. After a tough loss against the Minnesota Vikings, there’s been quite a bit of conversation around Coach Shane Steichen’s decision to start Joe Flacco as quarterback over Anthony Richardson. What’s your take on Flacco’s performance in that game?
Stephen Holder: Good morning! Thanks for having me. To be candid, Flacco’s performance was underwhelming, to say the least. The Colts’ offense put up season lows across the board, and he struggled significantly, especially on critical third downs where he only converted 3 out of 11 attempts throughout the game. His inability to generate offense really highlighted the challenges the team faced.
Time.news Editor: It seems like Steichen’s decision to start Flacco is coming under scrutiny. He claimed that Flacco gave the team the best chance to win. Do you think that decision still holds water after this performance?
Stephen Holder: It’s certainly questionable now. Steichen’s rationale was based on Flacco’s experience, which makes sense in theory. However, after seeing how the offense performed—just six points, 227 total yards—the decision looks a bit misguided. A coach has to consider not only experience but also current form, and it seemed like Flacco was out of sync.
Time.news Editor: The numbers were stark—season lows in offensive points and yards. Was the defense from the Vikings the sole reason for this, or do you think there were deeper issues at play within the Colts’ offense?
Stephen Holder: The Vikings’ defense, particularly under Brian Flores, played well, but the Colts also contributed to their own failures. In the first half, they managed only 92 yards of offense. This indicates a systemic issue; whether it’s play calling, offensive line protection, or Flacco’s execution, they need to identify what’s wrong and fix it quickly if they want to salvage the season.
Time.news Editor: With the Colts now sitting at a 4-5 record, what do you think the team should consider moving forward? Is it time to think about bringing Richardson back, or should they stick with Flacco?
Stephen Holder: That’s a critical decision for the coaching staff. If the objective is to develop Richardson, you have to weigh what’s best for his growth against the need to win games now. If Flacco continues to struggle, they might need to transition back to Richardson despite his own challenges this season. The key is to ensure that whatever choice they make ends up benefiting the team’s long-term future.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a balancing act between short-term results and long-term development. Looking ahead, how do you foresee this affecting Steichen’s standing as a coach? Can a few more disappointing games spell trouble for his job security?
Stephen Holder: It certainly could. Coaches in the NFL are often judged by their ability to win games, especially after making bold decisions like the quarterback switch. If the Colts continue to flounder, pressure will mount, and management might start looking for answers. That said, it’s still early in the season, and if they can show improvement, that could alleviate some pressure.
Time.news Editor: Stephen, what’s your prediction for the Colts in the coming weeks? Do you believe they can turn it around?
Stephen Holder: I think it’s possible, but it will hinge on their ability to rapidly adjust and find some consistency on offense, regardless of who’s playing quarterback. If they can solidify their matchups and address the issues we saw against the Vikings, they might still have a chance to compete for a playoff spot. But they must act quickly before the season slips away.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Stephen, for your insights today. It will be interesting to see how things unfold for the Colts in the coming weeks!
Stephen Holder: My pleasure! Thanks for having me. Always a pleasure to discuss the NFL.