Colts QB Anthony Richardson throws 5th INT of season on awful decision at goal line
Richardson began the second half with another interception on a poor throw
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has awed observers with his athletic talent and sheer arm strength. But decision-making is still an issue for the second-year signal caller, which he showed in the second quarter of Week 3's matchup with the Chicago Bears.
On third-and-goal from the 4-yard line, Richardson faked a handoff to Jonathan Taylor then rolled left. With Jack Sanborn closing in on a pass rush, the QB had tight end Drew Ogletree open near the pylon and Ashton Dulin open toward the back corner of the end zone.
Bears pick it off in the end zone!
📺: #CHIvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Ya6gUPOYnG— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
An accurate throw to the sideline or to the back pylon likely would have resulted in a touchdown and 7–0 lead for the Colts. Yet Richardson instead just flung the ball to the area between the two pylons where three Bears defenders were standing and Tremaine Edmunds easily made an interception.
The pick was Richardson's fifth of the season, less than three full games into the 2024-25 season.
Indianapolis did take a 7–0 lead later in the quarter after Jaylon Jones intercepted Caleb Williams at the Colts' 25-yard line. Richardson hit Kylen Granson for a 40-yard pass, followed by a 29-yard run by Taylor for the score.
Anthony Richardson is melting down right now. Another terrible INT pic.twitter.com/p0HlIOmoo0
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) September 22, 2024
The Colts got the ball to begin the second half and had an opportunity to take a two-score lead. But on the first play of Indianapolis' opening drive, Richardson made another poor throw, badly overthrowing a wide-open Michael Pittman Jr. after stepping up in the pocket to avoid Chicago's pass rush.
That play ended up costing the Colts three points as the Bears finished off a five-play drive with a 53-yard field goal by Cairo Santos to cut Indianapolis' lead to 7–3.