Flacco fails to jolt Colts but still QB1 ‘right now’

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.

“Right now, yes,” Steichen replied when asked if Flacco is still his starter.

Steichen’s decision was under scrutiny after he made 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) as the offense struggled to find any consistency against the Brian Flores-led Minnesota Vikings 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 on third downs, with Flacco going 3-of-9 for 47 yards in those scenarios.

“You know coming in here against a team like that, it’s going to be difficult,” Flacco said. “But I don’t think you ever anticipate something like that.”

Overall, 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 receiver Josh Downs on a third-down outbreaking route.

Flacco, Steichen said, “was fine. Obviously, he’s played in environments like this before 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, like 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 were 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. Richardson, a dual-threat quarterback, has given the Colts a boost on the ground that they perhaps missed on Sunday. Indianapolis finished with a season-low 68 rushing yards, with running back Jonathan Taylor (48 yards) matching his lowest output of the season one week after running for 105 yards in a loss to the Houston Texans.

The change in quarterback “definitely changes up the plays that we run,” receiver 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 sack-fumble by Grover Stewart that was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by Kenny Moore II.

It was the Colts’ only touchdown of the game.