Analysis

After Richardson was benched following the Colts' Week 8 loss to the Texans, Flacco started both of the past two contests. However, he struggled to protect the ball in losses to the Vikings and Bills, as Flacco completed 67.7 percent of his throws for a respectable 7.3 yards per attempt between the two games but tossed four interceptions (one of which was returned for a touchdown) and lost two fumbles. Despite Flacco's struggles, Steichen previously said Monday that the 39-year-old veteran would continue to direct the offense in Week 11, only to change course on that decision two days later. Richardson has had his own issues with both accuracy (44.4 percent completion rate) and turnovers (seven interceptions, two lost fumbles) over his six starts this season, but the 4-6 Colts are hoping that the two-week benching will have the 22-year-old in a better position to succeed as he returns to the lineup this Sunday against the Jets. Meanwhile, Flacco will stay ready in the event Richardson misses time with an injury over the final seven games of 2024 before heading into free agency this offseason.

Analysis

Flacco hasn't yielded the kind of returns during starts Week 9 and 10 that he did earlier this season, completing 42 of 62 passes for 451 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions while losing two fumbles in back-to-back losses to the Vikings and Bills. Nevertheless, the Colts will continue to roll with the veteran signal-caller versus second-year pro Anthony Richardson under center for the time being. There's no telling how long this arrangement will stay in place, but the team may need to fall out of playoff contention for a change to be made under center.

Analysis

Flacco's day could have hardly started in more worrisome fashion, as he tossed a pick-six on the Colts' first play from scrimmage and then closed out Indianapolis' second possession with a second interception in Bills territory. Flacco was able to partly atone from a fantasy perspective with a two-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Goodson and a 10-yard scoring toss to Alec Pierce with only two seconds remaining, but the latter was preceded by a lost fumble and a third interception that both unfolded on Buffalo's side of the field as well. Flacco hasn't been very effective from a real-world football perspective during his current two-game starting stint, raising the possibility Anthony Richardson could soon return to the starting role. However, James Boyd of The Athletic reports Shane Steichen said after the game Flacco would remain the starter until the head coach "says otherwise."

Analysis

As Anthony Richardson was benched, Flacco was given the starting reins last week, but the veteran face-planted in his Sunday night start against the Vikings, when he completed just 16 of 27 pass attempts (56.9 percent) for 179 scoreless yards and one interception. Flacco absorbed three sacks and failed to lead a single touchdown drive in the 21-13 loss. He'll get at least one more chance under center but gets another tough test versus Buffalo.

Analysis

Flacco's first-half stats were reminiscent of the poor production that got Anthony Richardson benched in favor of the veteran, as Flacco completed just six of 10 passes for 62 yards and was charged with a fumble on a botched handoff. The veteran quarterback upped his yardage total in the second half, but he threw an ugly interception early in the fourth quarter and an incomplete pass on fourth down to end the Colts' penultimate possession. Flacco led Indianapolis to only six points on offense, as the defense contributed a touchdown. If Flacco doesn't improve substantially in Week 10 against the Bills, the 4-5 Colts could opt to turn back to Richardson as they try to balance their pursuit of a playoff berth this season and the future of the team's quarterback position.

Analysis

Reports had already surfaced Tuesday indicating that the Colts were planning to bench the struggling Anthony Richardson in favor of Flacco, but Steichen clarified Wednesday that the move is not just a one-week change. Flacco will step in for his third start of the season Sunday at Minnesota, after he had previously started in Weeks 5 and 6 while Richardson was sidelined with an oblique injury. With Steichen and the Colts having committed to Flacco for the foreseeable future, the 39-year-old represents a worthwhile roster pickup in fantasy leagues that start two quarterbacks, or for managers looking for a replacement signal-caller during a bye week. Through his first four appearances (two starts) with the Colts this season, Flacco has completed 71 of 108 pass attempts for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception while adding 26 yards on six carries.

Analysis

Head coach Shane Steichen hinted at a possible change under center Monday, when he was non-committal about Richardson's role for Week 9. Flacco -- who played one snap in this past Sunday's loss to the Texans while Richardson rested -- performed well while making three appearances (two starts) in place of an injured Richardson in Weeks 4 through 6, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 6.6 yards per attempt and a 7:1 TD:INT. Richardson, meanwhile, has failed to complete more than 50 percent of his pass attempts in any of the five games he's finished this season. It's not clear at this point if the 4-4 Colts plan to proceed with Flacco as their starter the rest of the season, but he may continue to lead the offense as long as Indianapolis remains in the playoff hunt.

Analysis

Flacco played one snap on offense in Sunday's loss at Houston while Richardson pulled himself from the game due to the need for rest, which drew criticism Monday from his teammates. Flacco filled in admirably with a 7:1 TD:INT in three games (two starts) when Richardson was injured earlier in the season. The Colts may decide that Flacco gives the team a better chance to win while they still have chance at the playoffs, though a change under center would delay the 22-year-old Richardson's development and bring more questions about his long-term future in the organization. The Colts may not formally settle on a starting quarterback for Sunday's game until later in the week.

Analysis

Richardson's ready to return from a two-game absence, so Flacco will move back to the bench. Flacco filled in admirably with a 7:1 TD:INT over the past three games (two starts). There is a strong argument to be made that the 39-year-old Flacco gives the Colts a better chance to win now, but the team is understandably handing the reins back over to the 22-year-old Richardson, who has higher long-term upside.