Anthony Richardson Made History In His NFL Debut

Anthony Richardson’s Week 1 performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars surprised many across the league.

Throughout the offseason, analysts predicted Richardson would struggle in his first season.

Many also thought the Indianapolis Colts would finish the year well below .500 thanks to these concerns.

The Colts did ultimately lose this game, but Richardson’s performance was given high praise.

In fact, according to StatMuse, Richardson broke a rookie record.

He was the first quarterback to throw for at least 200 yards and rush for 40+ yards while adding a rushing and passing touchdown in their debut.

Anthony Richardson in his NFL debut:

— 223 PASS YDS
— 1 PASS TD
— 40 RUSH YDS (led team)
— 1 RUSH TD

1st rookie in NFL history with 200+ PASS YDS, 40+ RUSH YDS, 1 PASS TD and 1 RUSH TD in their debut. pic.twitter.com/tWI4MohGvt

— StatMuse NFL (@statmusenfl) September 10, 2023

He was the Colts’ leader in rushing, largely due to Jonathan Taylor being on the PUP list.

This was an early indication that his pre-draft profile was accurate and that his athleticism would shine through.

His 223 passing yards were also impressive, showcasing his arm to go along with what he did on the ground.

With any luck, Richardson will continue to improve upon this performance, proving to his doubters that he belongs as a starting quarterback.

The Colts’ next three games are against the Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, and Los Angeles Rams.

Richardson should get a great opportunity to showcase his skills against the Texans, who are a historically easy team to run against.

He will likely use this game to get everything in line before facing the tough defenses in Baltimore and LA.

The Colts are currently viewed as a rebuilding team rallying around young Richardson.

Can they shock the NFL world by winning meaningful games and potentially competing in the AFC South?