NFL Schedule: Richardson, Colts Get Chance to Forge New Rivalries

The Indianapolis Colts and Anthony Richardson could be playing over a third of their 2023 schedule against rookie quarterbacks.

When the NFL released the 2023 schedule on Thursday night, they sent a clear message to the Indianapolis Colts.

The league does not believe the Colts will be a fascinating team to watch this season.

The Colts were shutout of prime time games for the first time since 1999, a year after a rookie Peyton Manning threw a league-record 28 interceptions and Indy limped to a 3-13 record. Outside of a Week 10 matchup against the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, Germany, the Colts do not have another stand-alone game on the 2023 slate. Simply put, the NFL and schedule makers do not envision the Colts being must-see TV.

But the league may be wrong on this front. The Colts have numerous storylines to follow throughout the 2023 season as they try to start a new era under head coach Shane Steichen. The biggest storyline is the development of Anthony Richardson, the quarterback the Colts selected with the No.4 pick and who they hope can be the franchise quarterback they have so desperately needed.

Richardson came into the league with a bevy of other rookie quarterbacks looking to make an impact on the teams that drafted them. Quarterbacks are always compared to their draft mates, especially when their teams go head-to-head. The Colts could potentially have six games in 2023 against rookie quarterbacks.

Let's detail the matchups between Richardson and other rookie quarterbacks throughout the 2023 season as new rivalries could be forged.

Week 2: @ Houston Texans

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The Colts will not have to wait long before they take on one of the top rookie quarterbacks in the 2023 class. Indy will travel to NRG Stadium to take on the division-rival Houston Texans and their rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stroud was taken by the Texans with the No.2 pick after two outstanding seasons at Ohio State.

While Stroud is expected to be the starter for the Texans, there is less certainty around whether or not Richardson will be ready for this Week 2 matchup. The Colts have said they will take things slow with Richardson but understand that he needs as many reps as possible to learn and develop his game. Regardless, with Richardson and Stroud in the same division, watching these two face off twice a year will be fun to watch for years to come.

Week 5: vs. Tennessee Titans

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The third AFC South team to select a quarterback in the 2023 draft was the Tennessee Titans. While the Titans already have Ryan Tannehill under center, he has not been able to get the Titans over the hump and has just one more year left on his contract. Because of that, the Titans grabbed Will Levis at the top of the second round.

While many think that Richardson will be the starting quarterback for the Colts by Week 5, the chances Levis is starting over Tannehill at this point are slim. However, if Tannehill is injured, Levis will likely be the backup to take over. Richardson and Levis were the two boom-or-bust quarterback prospects at the top of this year's draft. Following their careers will be fascinating as both try to reach their ceilings.

Week 9: @ Carolina Panthers

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As we hit the middle of the season, there will be plenty of storylines to follow when the Colts take on the Carolina Panthers. Not only will the Colts be facing off against former head coach Frank Reich, but they will be taking on the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young. Young, a former Heisman Trophy winner, was seen as the most pro-ready quarterback in this class with his elite processing ability and accuracy.

Because the Colts and Panthers play in different conferences, these two teams will likely only face each other once every four years. But the matchup between Richardson and Young will be fun to watch, as the prospects are quite different. Richardson is an athletic freak with tremendous size for the quarterback position, while Young enters the league as the smallest quarterback in the NFL. However, both have a chance to be great and enter the upper echelon of quarterbacks one day.

Week 13: @ Tennessee Titans

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By the time Week 13 rolls around, it is far more likely that we will see a matchup between Richardson and Levis. If Tannehill is injured, or the Titans' season has gone off the rails by this point, head coach Mike Vrabel may turn the page to see what his rookie quarterback can do.

Richardson should have his feet wet with plenty of starts under his belt by this point in the season. He should feel comfortable in the offense, and the Colts will have a detailed game plan centered around his strengths. The last third of the season is where we should see the best ball from Richardson, and there will be more juice to this matchup as he goes up against a divisional opponent.

Week 17: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

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Now this one may come as a surprise. Why would the Las Vegas Raiders be playing against a rookie quarterback? Did they not sign Jimmy Garoppolo as their starting quarterback in the offseason?

Yes, Garoppolo is the starter for the Raiders. However, in his last six seasons as the starter for the San Francisco 49ers, Garoppolo started every game just once as injuries have plagued him for much of his career. It would not be a shock to see former Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell, whom Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels compared to Tom Brady, starting this game in place of Garoppolo.

The game will take place on New Year's Eve, with the Raiders traveling to Indy. Neither team is expected to be in the playoff chase at this point. But if one team gets hot, they may be relying on their rookie quarterback to get a win and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Week 18: vs. Houston Texans

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The season culminates the same way it did in 2022 for the Colts as the Texans come to town in Week 18. If the first matchup between these two teams did not see Richardson vs. Stroud, it is bound to happen to end the season.

Like the Week 17 contest between the Colts and Raiders, the Texans do not figure to be in the playoff hunt as the season winds down. Instead, this game will showcase how far each quarterback has come throughout their rookie year and if they can end the season on a high note. Week 18 between the Colts and Texans proved to be an exciting matchup in 2022, and 2023 could be more of the same.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

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