Top Storylines That Will Determine Winner Of Each NFL Division for 2024 Season | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson showed dynamic flashes as a rookie last year, but he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5.

Richardson finished his rookie campaign with 577 passing yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 136 yards and four scores.

With Richardson as their starter, the Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans on the road and the Tennessee Titans, who still had veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill under center.

Despite losing Richardson so early in the year, the Colts fielded the league's 10th-ranked scoring offense with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew under center. All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor missed seven games because of ankle and thumb injuries, but head coach and offensive play-caller Shane Steichen kept the Colts offense humming.

Before his arrival in Indianapolis, Steichen helped Justin Herbert break multiple rookie passing records and had a hand in Jalen Hurts' MVP-caliber year in 2022. As one of the league's best offensive play-callers, he could utilize Richardson's dual-threat playmaking ability like he did with Hurts and turn the Colts into a scoring juggernaut.

The Colts are running back their starting offensive line from last season and added a few rookie wideouts in Adonai Mitchell and Anthony Gould. Mitchell, who averaged 15.1 receiving yards per game during his three years in college, can be an explosive threat in the vertical passing game.

As the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud deservedly earned a lot of buzz. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence recently signed an extension that tied Joe Burrow's deal for the highest average annual salary among quarterbacks.

But if Steichen continues to work his magic on Richardson, the Colts could take over the spotlight in the AFC South this year.