INDIANAPOLIS — Shane Steichen has seen firsthand what’s largely been missing with Anthony Richardson during the first three weeks of the season.
He’s seen the sharp passes that find their intended targets. He’s seen the type of accuracy that’s necessary to foster offensive continuity and complement explosive plays.
That’s why Steichen insisted he isn’t overly concerned with those Richardson passes that have sailed a tad too high through outstretched fingertips or frustratingly over a receiver’s head.
“A hundred percent it’s in him. A hundred percent it’s in him,’’ Steichen said Monday afternoon. “Obviously, we keep working through those things, but he’s going to start making those throws.
“I have no doubt. He’s been making them, you know what I mean? We’ve just gotta make them consistently.’’
Everyone anticipated some level of inconsistency as Richardson headed into his second NFL season. A sprained shoulder limited his rookie season to four starts, 173 snaps and 84 pass attempts.
In many ways, Richardson’s rookie season has leaked into year two.
But the level of inefficiency and inconsistency to open the season probably have been a surprise.
Consider Richardson’s frustrating three-game dichotomy. He:
— Leads the NFL with five completions of at least 40 yards and is top 10 with eight 20-plus-yarders. He’s averaging eight yards per attempt, fifth-best.
It’s just been three games, but for perspective, the last time a Colt quarterback averaged at least eight yards per attempt was Peyton Manning in 2005.
— Is the league’s least efficient quarterback. His 49.3 completion percentage is worst among qualifying players, while his 55.9 passer rating ranks No. 30. Only Carolina’s benched Bryce Young (44.1) trails him.
— Has suffered a league-high six interceptions, including five the past two games. For those wondering, the Colts’ record: 28 by Manning in 1998, his rookie season.
Richardson took full blame for what was another scattershot outing in Sunday’s 21-16 win over the Chicago Bears. He was 10-of-20 for 167 yards with two interceptions — both were bad decisions — and a career-worst 39.0 rating.
There were the expected shock plays: a 44-yard completion to wideout Alec Pierce, a 40-yarder to tight end Kylen Granson and running back Jonathan Taylor’s 25-yard catch-and-run on a screen.
But four times, Richardson sailed passes over the head of or out of the reach of receivers. That included an errant throw to wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on the first play of the second half. Richardson overthrew Pittman, who was open, and found Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Richardson indicated eagerness has contributed to his frequent misses.
“Man, I’ve just got to settle down and just let the ball spin,’’ he said after the game. “I’ve just got to give myself time and give myself some grace.
“It’s always frustrating when I’m missing. And pointing to the other team, I’m hitting them right in the chest, and it’s like, ‘Bro, you’re throwing to the wrong person.’ I’ve just got to do better, man. I’m going to do better. I’m going to clean it up for the team.’’
Richardson’s development promises to be an ongoing process. Even though the focus every week is the next opponent — that would be the 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium — Steichen insisted position sessions each day in practice allow for work on fundamentals and technique. Richardson works with position coach Cam Turner.
“That’s where it starts, in practice,’’ Steichen said.
Winning with an erratic quarterback is problematic, and those shortcomings stress other areas of a team.
History says clean it up, or else.
Sunday marked just the third time in the Indy era and 10th time in franchise history the Colts won with their quarterback finishing with a passer rating under 40.0. The other two since 1984: Chris Chandler and Jack Trudeau sharing a 28.1 rating in a 13-9 win over Atlanta in 1989 and Mike Pagel posting a 30.1 in a 14-6 win over Detroit in 1985.
The last time the Colts won when their quarterback completed 50% or fewer of his passes — 2021. Carson Wentz was 5-of-12 (41.7%) for 49 yards against New England in week 15. The Colts won 27-17 on the strength of Taylor’s 170 rushing yards, including a 67-yard TD in the closing minutes.
‘Wasn’t the best decision’
A defense that had yielded 474 rushing yards in opening losses to Houston and Green Bay had had enough. It limited the Chicago Bears to 63 yards and 2.3 yards per attempt, and that stubbornness was on display late in the second quarter.
The Bears reached a first-and-goal at the 4-yard line at the 2-minute mark but were denied the end zone.
It was a group effort, but defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis played a starring role.
Running back Khalil Herbert took a direct snap on first down and powered to the 2-yard line, then was limited to a 1-yard gain on second down by defensive linemen Kwity Paye and Grover Stewart.
That’s when Lewis stepped up.
“I think that’s where I thrive the most, when my back’s against the wall,’’ he said. “But mainly, I just rely on everybody doing their job.’’
On third down and positioned at right end in the Colts’ formation, Lewis’ path to the backfield was obstructed by wide receiver DeAndre Carter.
“Putting a receiver right there probably wasn’t the be decision,’’ he said.
Lewis roared through Carter and was the first Colt to wrap up Herbert for no gain. Kenny Moore II was quick with an assist.
On fourth down, the Bears attempted a speed option to the left — Lewis’ side — and the Colts blew it up. Tackles Grover Stewart and Taven Bryan got immediate pressure up the middle and linebacker Zaire Franklin sliced through the line and contacted running back D’Andre Swift at the 8-yard line.
When Swift tried to pivot and make something out of nothing, Lewis covered him at the 13-yard line for a 12-yard loss.
“So, just live in the moment — boom — two back-to-back plays,’’ Lewis said.
Piling up the tackles
Prior to the two games Monday night, the Colts featured three of the NFL’s top four tacklers.
Safety Nick Cross has a league-high 39 followed by Philadelphia linebacker Zack Baun’s 37. Colts linebacker E.J. Speed is third with 34 and Franklin fourth with 33.
Speed, by the way, is on a roll.
He has had at least 10 tackles in seven straight games, which is the Colts’ longest streak since at least 1987 and tied for the second-longest streak in the league over that stretch.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.
