EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Anthony Richardson was back as the Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback — and played as though he intends to never leave the huddle again.
The No. 4 overall pick in last year's NFL draft ran for a 4-yard touchdown , his second of the game, with 46 seconds left in his return from a two-game benching to lift the Colts to a 28-27 victory over Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Sunday. “I won’t say I was the most prepared or most confident,” Richardson said.
“It was the most relaxed I’ve been. There really wasn’t any pressure on me. I was just out there taking it one play at a time.
I just focused on my assignment. I wasn’t trying to press or do anything too much.” Until the Colts (5-6) really needed him.
And he might have helped save their season. With the Jets (3-8) leading 27-22 after Anders Carlson's 35-yard field goal with 2:41 remaining, Richardson — who sat out the last two games in favor of Joe Flacco — marched the Colts down the field. He connected with Alec Pierce for 39 yards and then Josh Downs for 17 yards to put the ball at the 10.
Three plays later, Richardson took off to the right and ran into the end zone for the go-ahead score. “You know what he’s capable of,” running back Jonathan Taylor said. “He’s our QB1.
You like to see it, but you know he’s built for it. Just to see him go out there and make plays, take over the game, to make plays in the big moments was awesome to see. I’m proud of.