With Anthony Richardson struggling, the Colts have decided to start Joe Flacco Sunday night vs. the Vikings. Flacco has been far more efficient than Richardson this season, with the former throwing for seven touchdowns and only one pick, while Richardson has thrown for four touchdowns and seven interceptions. Plus, Flacco has completed 65.7% of his passes, while Richardson has been dreadful with a 44.4% completion percentage, which ranks dead last of 39 qualified quarterbacks. Overall, in the games they have started and completed, Flacco has helped the Colts score 27 PPG, compared to only 18.8 PPG with Richardson at the helm.
Despite being 39 years old, Flacco’s presence provides a notable boost to the Colts’ passing game and both Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. should benefit with Flacco under center in Week 9, and possibly beyond. With Flacco throwing them passes, Downs and Pittman Jr. have caught 79.3% and 63.2% of their targets, respectively, while with Richardson under center, both Downs and Pittman Jr. have only hauled in 50% of their targets.
Fantasy-wise, these two wideouts have unsurprisingly been better with Flacco. In the two games the veteran has started and completed this season, Downs and Pittman Jr. have produced 0.36 and 0.23 FPTs per snap, respectively. In the five games Richardson has started and completed, Downs and Pittman Jr. have been far less effective, with 0.28 and 0.13 FPTS per snap, respectively.
The Vikings present a subpar matchup, allowing the 10th-fewest yards per pass (6.4), but Downs and Pittman Jr. are both solid options with Flacco starting this week, with Downs being the better target of the two receivers. Since making his debut in Week 3, Downs has led the Colts with a 26.1% target share, while Pittman Jr. has ranked second for the team at 21.1%.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Colts are five-point underdogs vs. the Vikings.
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