INDIANAPOLIS – Anthony Richardson rallied the Indianapolis Colts in his return to the starting lineup to a 28-27 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Richardson completed a 39-yard pass to Alec Pierce and a 17-yard throw to Josh Downs before scoring his second touchdown of the day on a four-yard run to put the Colts ahead for good in a back-and-forth game.
The defense finished the game with Kwity Paye sacking Aaron Rodgers and time expiring.
The victory snaps a three-game losing for the Colts as they fight to stay in the AFC wildcard race.
Richardson finished 20 of 30 for 272 yards and one touchdown in his return to action.
The Colts scored the first time they touched the ball as they converted the first third down they faced when Richardson connected with Downs for 31-yards. Jonathan Taylor added runs of eight- and 10-yards before Matt Gay kicked a 41-yard field goal for a 3-0 advantage.
The Colts punted on their next drive, before converting another big third down. Richardson hit Adonai Mitchell for 33-yards, who took the ball down to the Jets’ one-yardline. Defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart came into block for Taylor on the next play, but he was stopped for a loss. Richardson then ran around end for a two-yard touchdown and 10-0 lead.
The defense was stout in the first half, forcing three three-and-outs, then stonewalling New York tight end Tyler Conklin on a direct snap on fourth-and-one from the Jets’ 39-yardline. The offense turned the short field into a 47-yard Gay field goal to put the Colts on top, 13-0.
The Colts forced one more three-and-out before New York finally picked up a first down on a Rodgers to Conklin seven-yard pass with a minute and a half to go in the first half. The Jets picked up another first on a Rodgers to Davante Adams 24-yard completion, before they scored a TD on a Breece Hall 29-yard catch-and-run to make it 13-7 at halftime.
Ashton Dulin returned the second half kickoff 43 yards, but Richardson fumbled two plays later after being hit by Jamien Sherwood. Javon Kinlaw recovered for New York, who scored two plays after that on a Hall 18-yard run to go ahead, 14-13.
The Colts answered with an 11-play, 41-yard drive capped by a Gay 56-yard field goal to re-gain the lead, 16-14. The teams swapped punts before the Jets went back ahead on an Anders Carlson 58-yard kick.
New York added to the lead with a Rodgers to Kenny Yeboah 11-yard touchdown two minutes into the fourth quarter.
Richardson responded with a terrific drive completing passes of 20-, 8-, 12- and 19-yards before finding Downs for a 10-yard TD to cut the Jets’ lead to 24-22. The second-year quarterback had Mo Alie-Cox wide open on the two-point try, but the pass was just out of reach.
New York added insurance with a Carlson 35-yard field goal before Richardson’s final drive for the winning score.
The Colts return home next week to host one of the hottest teams in the NFL, the Detroit Lions. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium on FOX59.
