Despite Anthony Richardson's big plays, the Colts fall short (again) to AFC South foe Houston

AR made some big plays, but Houston's running game and 2-to-1 advantage in possession time doomed Indianapolis.

Get used to this kind of stat line from Anthony Richardson. Get used to 9-of-19 for 212 yards, two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) and an interception. Get used to ridiculous throws like the ones he made to Alec Pierce (twice) and Ashton Dulin, three passes that make a coaching staff and fan base salivate over what the future holds. Get used to terrible throws like two would-be touchdown passes he overthrew in the direction of AD Mitchell. Get used to moments of brilliance and moments when it feels like he couldn’t hit the ocean from the end of a pier.

Get used to it because Sunday was just Richardson’s fifth NFL start, just his 18^th since high school, and as much as he disdains the notion, the young quarterback is, in fact, a project. He’s not a rookie, per se, but he’s awfully close.

First, let’s talk about the good stuff, courtesy or Richardson and Pierce, the latter breaking out with his most productive game as a third-year pro (3 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown). With the Colts trailing 3-0 early, Richardson stumbled as he set up to throw, had Texans’ defenders in his sternum and casually tossed a gorgeous rainbow 65 yards in the air off his back foot, Pierce running past Houston’s Jimmie Ward and Derek Stingley Jr. to catch the ball in the end zone. This was the kind of magic we saw a few times during his four games last year, the kind of magic we saw again Sunday during the Colts’ 29-27 loss to the Houston Texans. It was the kind of play that made you understand why the Colts drafted him fourth overall two years ago. It was the kind of throw that made you bullish on the future.

“I don’t think I’ve seen a throw like that,” Shane Steichen said.

He did it again, throwing a jump ball to Pierce late in the game, and did it when he hit Ashton Dulin on a dig route, throwing into a small window and hitting Dulin on the run for another touchdown. No way that pass should have eluded the Texans’ defender, but it did, because it’s Richardson. He makes silly plays, oh-my-gosh plays

“There are just things that he (Richardson) can do that others can’t,” said Michael Pittman Jr. “His off-balance throw and he throws it 60 yards, that’s something that can’t be taught.”