It won’t be easy, but it would mean a lot.
The Indianapolis Colts had a brutal middle of the season in which they dropped three games in a row. The competition was fierce as they faced off against the Texans, Vikings, and Bills, all of whom are on track to make the postseason. The return of Anthony Richardson and his resurgence in the win against the Jets has renewed faith and hope for the team and its fans. While the aforementioned teams are incredibly tough, the challenge awaiting the Colts in the form of the Lions may be the biggest yet. A loss against the Lions would surprise no one, but a win would create a much different conversation.
The Lions may not be perfect, but they have built a 9-1 record. This isn’t your dad’s Lions team anymore. For a franchise that was the doormat of the NFL for decades and put together a winless season, this Detroit team is a Super Bowl contender. They have put up final scores of 42-29, 47-9, 52-14, and 52-6. If you ask me, those look like Peyton Manning numbers when the Colts used to dominate the AFC South. The Lions can put up points in a hurry, and it will be up to both units for the Colts to ensure they keep pace. Putting together long drives and getting off the field on third down will be key.
Just because the Lions have a habit of beating some teams into submission, it doesn’t mean they haven’t had some squeakers along the way. In recent weeks, they needed last second field goals to beat the Vikings and Texans. Jared Goff looked terrible against the Texans as he threw five interceptions. This is what makes me believe the Colts have a fighter’s chance in this one. If they can force Goff to make decisions under duress and force some timely turnovers, there is nothing saying they can’t beat this team on Sunday, and boy, what a win of this magnitude would mean.
Richardson appeared to be left for dead. A fourth overall pick who couldn’t quite cut it in the NFL was set to join the long list of super-hyped players that couldn’t pass muster. He came back strong against the Jets winning a thrilling come from behind victory on the road, but that was just one game. If he can ball out against the Lions, show that same type of accuracy and hard running ability, and get the win, the conversation surrounding Richardson and the Colts will take a dramatic shift. From a directionless team going no where, people will start to see Richardson as worthy of leading this franchise and have hope again for the future.
First things, first. The Colts must find a way to beat the Lions to regain legitimacy in the league and have their first major statement win of the season. Anthony Richardson must protect the ball while the defense has to find a way to turn Jared Goff over. The Colts will need as many chances as possible to score while limiting Goff’s access to the field. Playing keep away should be the strategy. The offense needs to put together sustained drives and the defense needs to create short fields. Do that and the Colts, along with Richardson, will change the narrative and have a shot at the win of the year.