Steelers Absolutely Need To Take Advantage Of Colts' Anthony Richardson's Nerves And Inexperience In Week 4

The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed west for Week 4 to face the Indianapolis Colts. The Steelers are currently atop the AFC North at 3-0, and the Colts are second in the AFC South at 1-2. Both teams feature very mobile quarterbacks who lit the world on fire when they were in college — Justin Fields and Anthony Richardson. 

Fields, who has been starting for the injured Russell Wilson, has taken to the offense in Pittsburgh. Head Coach Mike Tomlin and new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, appear to be giving him just enough rope to be successful, but not enough to hang himself. He has protected the ball, thrown clean passes, and managed the run game. The one thing we haven't seen much of is his legs. 

In his second season, Richardson is having a different experience in Indianapolis. The fourth overall pick in 2023, Richardson suffered a shoulder injury last October that required surgical repair, costing him the rest of his season. He returned this year amid high expectations. Unfortunately, he is not performing as well as last season.  

Bleav In Colts host Lawrence Owen joined Bleav In Steelers host Mark Bergin to discuss this week's game. Owen said it is hard to understand how to read Richardson as a quarterback. Fans are frustrated and already making comments that he should be benched. 

Owen said Richardson is very inexperienced. At times, Richardson will throw a perfect 70-yard pass off his back foot while under pressure to a well-covered receiver, but then turn around on the next play and miss a guy wide open 15 yards away. 

"I think a lot of his accuracy issues has to do with the fact that he is inexperienced. It's nerves. If you're inexperienced, how do you deal with your own nerves when a guy is wide open, and whether or not panic gets to you. Your brain is like, 'Oh my god, he's so open, I gotta get this to him.' Then you overthink it and you throw the ball in a bad spot or overshoot him."

Those nerves will give Richardson a serious problem against the best defense in the NFL. As Owen and Bergin pointed out, the Steelers are loaded with experienced players who can't wait to increase Richardson's angst. That includes T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, Cameron Heyward, Patrick Queen, and Minkah Fitzpatrick to name a few.

Owen pointed out that Richardson found some success with shorter, more successful passes that seemed to calm his nerves in their one win. It also seems like Richardson is not running as much this season, and that seems to be impacting him. If he is going to find any way to move this offense against the Steelers, he has to stop panicking, according to Owen. 

"He prefers to throw rather than run right now. I honestly believe he doesn't run the ball enough, at least this year. Last year, he ran it quite a bit, but he ended up with that shoulder injury. I'm wondering if that's in the back of his head and that's why he's not taking off more this year."

Usually, when the Steelers face a mobile quarterback like Lamar Jackson, the plan is to force him to stay in the pocket and throw, but perhaps the defense needs to force Richardson into both scenarios if he isn't truly comfortable with either. 

Steelers Defense Should Eat Well

This is a revenge game for the Steelers, who suffered an embarrassing loss to Indy in 2023. However, Richardson is new to facing Pittsburgh; he was injured last time the two teams played. If the Steelers' defense plays its cards right, there could be enough of him to go around. 

So far, in three games, Richardson has thrown three touchdowns, but six interceptions. If Watt and the rest of the crew can contain running back Jonathan Taylor and rattle Richardson's cage, we could see Watt get his 100th sack (he is currently at 99.5). This would make him the second-fastest player to reach 100 behind Reggie White.

The key is for the Steelers to consider the Colts a serious opponent. All too often, they fall victim to trap games. 

How will the Steelers' defense fare against Richardson and the Colts' offense? Click to comment below.

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