Anthony Richardson will be down for a month. I don’t know that the Indianapolis passing game will miss him much at all. Gardner Minshew has a lot more experience, with a better command of the team’s offense.
Thus far, they’ve seen comparable playing time. Minshew has started only one game, but he’s been on the field for 170 plays, only 3 fewer than Richardson. And they’ve put up similar passing numbers.
Richardson has completed 50 of 84 passes for 577 yards, with 3 TDs and an interception. Minshew has completed 57 of 83 passes for 553 yards, with 2 TDs and no interceptions. Minshew has completed 69 percent of his passes, while Richardson is under 60 percent.
Minshew has had better ability to connect with the team’s wide receivers. Michael Pittman, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce have all had more targets, completions and yards with the veteran running the offense. I would feel better about starting those guys on Sunday, with Minshew filling in.
| COLTS RECEIVERS WITH RICHARDSON | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Tgt | No | Yds | Avg | TD |
| Pittman | 22 | 12 | 142 | 11.8 | 1 |
| J.Downs | 13 | 9 | 126 | 14.0 | 0 |
| A.Pierce | 6 | 2 | 43 | 21.5 | 0 |
| Granson | 14 | 8 | 80 | 10.0 | 0 |
| Total | 84 | 50 | 577 | 11.5 | 3 |
| COLTS RECEIVERS WITH MINSHEW | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Tgt | No | Yds | Avg | TD |
| Pittman | 24 | 18 | 155 | 8.6 | 0 |
| J.Downs | 20 | 14 | 129 | 9.2 | 0 |
| A.Pierce | 10 | 6 | 81 | 13.5 | 0 |
| Granson | 8 | 5 | 23 | 4.6 | 1 |
| Total | 83 | 57 | 553 | 9.7 | 2 |
On the positive size of the ledger for Richardson is his mobility. He’s like Cam Newton, with his ability to power through tacklers. He’s run for 3 TDs on his own. The offense has scored 61 points on his watch, versus only 52 points for Minshew.
But for fantasy purposes, I like those running backs – Zack Moss, Jonathan Taylor – more when Minshew is playing. It gives them a better chance of handling the ball around the goal line.
The Colts are at Jacksonville this week, then they’re home for a pair against the Browns and Saints. Those opponents have been playing well defensive (particularly Cleveland).
—Ian Allan