Titans Coach Mike Vrabel: Red Zone Defense Faces 'Huge Challenge' with Colts QB Anthony Richardson

The Tennessee Titans will take on quarterback Anthony Richardson for the first time when they see the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The explosive rookie passer presents a difficult task, particularly near the goal line.

The Tennessee Titans will face rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson on Sunday in what should be the first of many battles with the Indianapolis Colts passer. Richardson has a unique blend of size and speed at the position that presents a unique challenge.

Through four weeks, the Colts' red zone offense is the third-best unit in the NFL, only trailing the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens. They've converted for a touchdown on 72.7% of their red zone chances. A big part of that success is Richardson's mobility or simply the threat of it. 

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel spoke about what makes Richardson effective.

"He's big, he's fast, he's willing," Vrabel pointed out. "He knows where the goal line is, he knows where the first down — what he needs to get to. It'll be a huge challenge not only out in the field for those plays they design, but also the closer you get to the goal line."

Richardson is 6-foot-4, 244 pounds and runs like the wind. Richardson registered a 4.43 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL combine, an incredible feat for someone that big. Make that person a quarterback and you could have a dangerous weapon.

As a running threat in the red zone, Richardson is most deadly. The Colts love to use multiple options on their red zone plays. Often time including a handoff to a running back, two different routes by pass catchers and of course, Richardson running himself. 

That's why it is no surprise that Richardson's four rushing touchdowns are tied for tops among quarterbacks and good for top ten in the NFL regardless of position. Richardson needs some development for long-term viability, but his red zone prowess is a right-now problem.

The Titans know they will need a plan for all of these options and every person must be accounted for. Vrabel spoke about that and what it will take to handle.

"Just takes you to defend everybody," Vrabel said plainly. "It's a run action, you got a running back, someone's got responsibility for the quarterback, someone's got responsibility for the two receivers. The relief throws they can make off of it. (That's) what you have to defend."

It may also be a difficult ask, but the Titans would be wise to try and prevent the Colts from getting to the red zone as much as possible Sunday. Even if the Titans "defend everybody," Richardson still has the ability to make a play outside of what's possible to account for. 

The Titans should defend everybody, but they will also need some luck to stop Richardson in the red area.

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