At the end of October, questions lingered on Bryce Young’s availability on the trade market, and Anthony Richardson was in the process of being benched. Few talked much about the potential for the first and fourth picks in the 2023 NFL draft to bounce back, and show why they were taken that high in the first place.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) enters the end zone to complete a two-point conversion as New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss (53) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. Credit: AP/Steven Senne

In a game the Colts had to have to keep their postseason dreams alive, Richardson marched them 80 yards on 19 plays and pulled out a win.