Colin Cowherd praised Anthony Richardson’s recent performance, noting that he has won four of his last five starts and delivered his best game as a pro against the Jets. However, Cowherd also acknowledged the challenge the Colts face against the 9-1 Detroit Lions, who boast one of the NFL’s top offenses and defenses. The Lions’ offense leads the league, averaging 33.6 points per game and scoring over 40 points in four different contests, most recently dominating the Jacksonville Jaguars 52-6.
In contrast, the Colts narrowly defeated the New York Jets 28-27 in Richardson’s return to the starting lineup. Richardson looked composed and confident, showcasing the same swagger he had in college at Florida. A teammate even credited his benching for helping him elevate his play.
While the Colts have yet to face a team as balanced as the Lions this season, Richardson’s ability to make explosive plays could make the game more competitive.
So why does Cowherd believe the Colts can pull off the upset? It’s not just Richardson, but he is a central part of their offensive approach. Though his numbers have dropped compared to his rookie season, he has still delivered several big plays. One of the highlights was a 69-yard touchdown pass to Josh Downs against the Houston Texans in Week 1. Despite some struggles with turnovers and inconsistency that led to the Colts turning to Joe Flacco for a while, Richardson’s strong performance in his return, including his first career fourth-quarter comeback against the Jets, has given the team renewed confidence in him as the starter.
