Anthony Richardson, Colts’ first-team offense get 25 plays in preseason finale vs. Bengals

CINCINNATI – The next time the Colts play a game, the result of it will count.

That’s not to say Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium didn’t matter; the five series played by the Colts’ starting offense and three series for the Colts’ starting defense carried plenty of importance. For several backups looking to solidify roles and/or roster spots, Thursday’s opportunity mattered quite a bit.

The result – a 20-14 win – won’t count for anything other than some good vibes on the ride home to Indianapolis. But with one eye on Sept. 8’s season opener against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts went to work on Thursday against the Bengals’ second-, third- and fourth-string offense and defense.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson and most of the first-team offense played 25 snaps over their five possessions, with the first one a crisp 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended with rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell catching his first (preseason) touchdown in the NFL. Richardson completed seven of eight passes for 65 yards, with his only miss going off tight end Drew Ogletree’s fingertips in the end zone before he found Mitchell for a nine-yard score.