When the Indianapolis Colts needed Joe Flacco to step in for the injured Anthony Richardson, the 17-year veteran kept things straightforward.
The 39-year-old Flacco threw two touchdown passes, helping the Colts secure a 27-24 win against the previously unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
“You just see the guy and hit him. That’s all you do,” Flacco said after completing 16 of 26 passes for 168 yards. “Some guys like to think about every little thing and that’s how they play best. But I think my personality lends itself to this kind of situation. Just don’t overthink it.”
Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP and a longtime rival of the Steelers during his 11 seasons with Baltimore, showed he can still play at a high level last season when he helped the Cleveland Browns reach the playoffs. The Colts signed Flacco as a free agent to back up the injury-prone Richardson.
Richardson left the game twice within four plays, first taking a big hit on his right hip and later suffering a hard hit to the head, both during designed runs. He went straight to the locker room after the second hit and was ruled out by the time he returned to the sideline.
Coach Shane Steichen had no immediate update on Richardson or running back Jonathan Taylor, who injured an ankle in the final minutes.
Flacco continued the momentum from Richardson’s strong start, leading the Colts (2-2) to their second straight win and a second consecutive victory against the Steelers (3-1), who rallied from a 17-0 first-half deficit.
Flacco connected with Michael Pittman Jr. six times for 113 yards. He threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Josh Downs and a 15-yard touchdown to Drew Ogletree to keep Indy in the lead. Taylor ran 21 times for 88 yards and scored on the Colts’ first series.
