Joe Flacco to stay Colts QB1 despite offense's season-low output

Joe Flacco to stay Colts QB1 despite offense's season-low output

Joe Flacco to stay Colts QB1 despite offense's season-low output

In MINNEAPOLIS, the Indianapolis Colts' quarterback change didn’t go as planned, as the offense struggled in Joe Flacco's first game as starter after replacing Anthony Richardson. Despite the Colts’ offensive struggles in their 21-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Flacco would remain the starting quarterback, noting that "right now, yes," he believes Flacco still gives the Colts the best chance to win.


The game highlighted some difficulties for the Colts' offense, which recorded season lows in points (6), total yards (227), and first downs (13), and faced issues with consistency against a tough defense led by Vikings' coordinator Brian Flores. Particularly unproductive in the first half, the Colts managed only 92 yards and just 62 passing yards. The team’s third-down efficiency was also poor, with Flacco completing just 3-of-9 attempts for 47 yards in those situations. Overall, Flacco completed 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards with one interception.


Coach Steichen, however, acknowledged responsibility, stating he would review offensive schemes and adjust where necessary with eight games remaining in the season. While Richardson, the rookie quarterback, had struggled earlier with a low 44.4% completion rate and seven interceptions, he brought explosive elements that Flacco struggled to replicate. Richardson excelled in deep-ball throws and running plays, creating big-play potential that Flacco couldn’t match, evidenced by his 7.7 air yards per attempt compared to Richardson's NFL-high 12.3. The Colts’ running game also saw a decline, managing just 68 rushing yards after a solid performance in the previous game against Houston.


Receiver Alec Pierce noted the change affected the team’s play-calling, reducing run-pass option (RPO) plays that Richardson would normally execute. Despite the offensive slump, the Colts’ defense shined, generating three turnovers, including a strip sack by Grover Stewart, which Kenny Moore II returned for the Colts' only touchdown of the game.