Through 10 games of the Premier Madden League season, the Indianapolis Colts sit at 5-5, right in the thick of the AFC playoff race. At the heart of it all—both the highs and the lows—has been quarterback Anthony Richardson. In just his third season, Richardson has established himself as one of the league’s most polarizing stars: capable of jaw-dropping brilliance one play, followed by maddening inconsistency the next.
It has been a season defined by both hope and frustration. Richardson has kept the Colts afloat, lifted them to huge wins, and nearly thrown them out of others. But as the season enters its stretch run, his performance—and his growth—will ultimately determine whether Indianapolis can emerge as a legitimate contender or simply fade into the middle of the AFC pack.
A Season of Contradictions
Richardson’s stat line through 10 games tells a story of a player who is both efficient and electric, but also inconsistent in ways that drive fans and coaches crazy.
- Passing Yards: 2,429
- Passing Touchdowns: 15
- Interceptions: 4
- Completion Percentage: 68%
- Quarterback Rating: 110.4
On paper, this looks like the profile of one of the league’s top signal-callers. Fifteen touchdowns against just four interceptions suggests Richardson is doing an excellent job protecting the football—especially compared to some of his AFC contemporaries who are turning the ball over at alarming rates. His quarterback rating of 110.4 is among the better marks in the league, further underscoring his efficiency.
But when you dig deeper, the contradictions appear. Despite completing 68% of his passes, Richardson has missed a remarkable number of easy throws. Slants behind the receiver, deep shots overthrown by five yards, screens fired into the dirt—these are the plays that frustrate Colts coaches, fans, and even Richardson himself. The raw numbers say he’s completing at a high clip, but anyone watching the games knows how many potential completions (and touchdowns) are being left on the field.
The Ground Game: A New Standard for Quarterbacks
If Richardson’s passing has been inconsistent, his running has been nothing short of spectacular. His legs have become the most dangerous weapon in the Colts’ offense, and arguably the most unique weapon in the entire Premier Madden League.
- Rushing Attempts: 100
- Rushing Yards: 704
- Rushing Touchdowns: 10
- Yards Per Carry: 7.0
- Yards After Contact: 173
These numbers are unheard of for a quarterback. Seven yards per carry is elite for any player, let alone one under center. Ten rushing touchdowns tie or surpass the totals of many starting running backs. And 173 yards after contact shows Richardson isn’t just running to daylight—he’s running through defenders, breaking tackles like a power back.
Defenses around the league simply have no answer. Load the box to stop him, and Richardson can still beat you with his arm. Drop back into coverage, and he’ll take off for 20 yards in the blink of an eye. His unique combination of size, speed, and toughness makes him unlike any other quarterback in the league today.
The MVP Conversation
Because of his dual-threat dominance, Richardson has put himself firmly in the mix for postseason hardware. Through 10 games, he currently sits:
- 3rd in the MVP race
- 4th in the AFC Offensive Player of the Year race
- 2nd in the AFC Best Quarterback of the Year race
That’s an impressive résumé for a player whose team is just .500. Usually, award races favor quarterbacks of the league’s top teams, but Richardson’s production has been so undeniable that he’s stayed near the top of the leaderboard.
To win MVP, he’ll likely need the Colts to finish strong—something like 10-7 or 11-6 might put him over the edge if his numbers continue to climb. But the fact that he’s even in this conversation at all, given his inconsistency, speaks volumes about the ceiling he has.
The Colts’ Position in the AFC
At 5-5, Indianapolis is a team still searching for its identity. Some weeks, Richardson looks unstoppable, combining efficient passing with devastating runs to carve up defenses. Other weeks, the Colts stall out, and his missed throws put the defense in bad positions.
The Colts’ season so far has been a roller coaster:
- Big Wins: Upsets of playoff-caliber teams where Richardson dominated on the ground.
- Frustrating Losses: Games where the Colts had chances late, but missed throws or empty possessions cost them.
Yet through it all, the Colts remain alive in the playoff hunt. If Richardson can string together a consistent stretch of performances, this is a team capable of upsetting anyone in the AFC.
The Good, the Bad, and the Maddening
Richardson’s season can be broken down into three categories:
- The Good
- He has become one of the most efficient quarterbacks in terms of turnovers, with just four interceptions.
- His rushing has been historic, putting him in the company of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks ever seen in the league.
- His ability to extend plays has bailed out the Colts’ offense time and time again.
- The Bad
- The missed easy throws remain a glaring issue. A completion percentage of 68% is misleading when so many of the misses are routine plays that would extend drives or score points.
- The Colts’ offense has been inconsistent, often going cold for stretches of games.
- The Maddening
- Richardson can make a perfect 40-yard throw on the run, threading it between two defenders—then miss a wide-open five-yard out route on the very next play.
- He’s both the Colts’ biggest strength and their biggest liability, depending on the drive.
A Franchise on His Shoulders
There is no question that the Colts go as Richardson goes. When he is on, they look like a playoff team capable of shocking the AFC’s elite. When he is off, the offense sputters, and they look like a middling squad destined for mediocrity.
That kind of variance is expected with young quarterbacks, but Richardson’s highs are higher than almost anyone else’s. His athleticism alone gives Indianapolis a chance in every game they play.
The coaching staff has done a good job putting him in positions to succeed, designing runs that play to his strengths and simplifying reads in the passing game. Still, the frustration with his missed throws is real. Fans know that if he can ever put it all together, the Colts could be perennial contenders.
Looking Ahead: The Final Stretch
The Colts have seven games remaining, and the path is clear: Richardson must improve his consistency if they want to make the playoffs. His current numbers already place him in award conversations, but they won’t mean much if the Colts finish below .500 and miss the postseason.
Key things to watch down the stretch:
- Third-Down Conversions: Too many drives have stalled due to missed throws on manageable downs.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Richardson’s legs make him a nightmare in the red zone, but finishing drives with touchdown passes will open up the playbook further.
- Leadership: This is still a young quarterback learning how to carry a franchise. How he responds to adversity will be crucial.
If Richardson can clean up just some of the easy misses, the Colts’ offense could take a leap that makes them not just playoff-bound, but dangerous once they get there.
The Bigger Picture
Regardless of how the rest of the season plays out, this year has proven one thing: Anthony Richardson is the Colts’ franchise quarterback. His ceiling is simply too high, his athleticism too rare, to ignore.
The missed throws? They’re fixable. The running ability? That can’t be taught. Indianapolis has a quarterback who can do things no one else in the league can do, and that alone puts them in a better position than most franchises.
Fans may need to endure the growing pains, but if Richardson’s development continues on this trajectory, it’s not hard to imagine him winning MVPs, Offensive Player of the Year awards, and, eventually, leading the Colts deep into the postseason.
Final Thoughts
Through 10 games, Anthony Richardson’s season in the Premier Madden League has been a roller coaster—but one the Colts wouldn’t trade for anyone else’s. His numbers jump off the page, his highlights dominate the league’s weekly recaps, and his mistakes spark endless debates.
At 5-5, Indianapolis has everything to play for, and Richardson has everything to prove. If he can refine his game just enough to pair consistency with his unique athleticism, the Colts could be the AFC’s ultimate dark horse.
For now, one thing is certain: love him or hate him, Anthony Richardson has made the Colts must-watch football in the Premier Madden League.
