Analysis

Getting the start in place of Anthony Richardson (back), Flacco hit Alec Pierce for a 40-yard TD on the Colts' first possession and finished the game with respectable numbers. This may have been the 39-year-old quarterback's final NFL game, as he will become a free agent this offseason and hasn't indicated whether he wants to keep playing, but if he does elect to keep playing he seems to be a good fit in Indy as the backup/mentor to the gifted but raw Richardson. Over eight appearances in 2024, Flacco completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 1,761 yards and a 12:7 TD:INT.

Analysis

The veteran QB will get his second straight start, with Anthony Richardson (back) having been ruled out for Sunday's contest, per head coach Shane Steichen. While filling in for Richardson in Week 17, Flacco completed 26 of 38 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in the Colts' 45-33 loss to the Giants. Flacco thus represents a Week 18 lineup option for those in need of QB help due to injuries or scenarios in which their signal-callers will be limited or rested this weekend.

Analysis

Making his first start since Week 10, Flacco posted big passing numbers and hit Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman for fourth-quarter TDs, but he also committed three turnovers as he lost a fumble to end the Colts' final possession in addition to his two picks. With Indy now eliminated from postseason contention, it's not clear whether the team will even consider using Anthony Richardson (back/foot) in Week 18 against the Jaguars, or if Flacco might get one more start in 2024.

Analysis

Richardson had been listed as questionable for the contest, but after failing to practice in any fashion this week, the Colts ultimately weren't comfortable with having him direct the offense Sunday. Flacco will thus step in for his fifth start of the season in Week 17, making him a lineup option in fantasy leagues that start two quarterbacks or have a QB flex spot available. Over his six appearances (four starts) to date, Flacco has completed 113 of 170 pass attempts (66.5 percent) for 1,167 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 25 yards on eight carries.

Analysis

Richardson didn't practice in any capacity throughout the week, so the second-year quarterback is in danger of sitting out, with clarity on that front set to arrive no later than 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. EST kickoff. Flacco has posted a 9:5 TD:INT across six appearances (four starts) in 2024. The 7-8 Colts need to defeat the 2-13 Giants to have any chance at making the playoffs.

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.