FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Nothing screams “the NFL is back” quite like a riveting 13-13 tie in August, where coaches evaluate fourth-string gunners, and nobody wants to risk a hamstring.
When the Indianapolis Colts rolled into Gillette Stadium on Thursday night to face the New England Patriots, Shane Steichen did what any sensible head coach does in Preseason Week 1: he wrapped his entire starting lineup virtually in bubble wrap. But while the scoreboard offered a result only a betting degenerate could love, the tape told a different story. A handful of guys on the roster bubble played like their mortgage depended on it.
If you were brave enough to sit through all four quarters of exhibition football, here are the Colts standouts who actually made the late-night coffee worth brewing.
Anthony Richardson Sr. Settles Down After an Early Hiccup
Look, no one expected Anthony Richardson Sr. to play pristine, mistake-free football right out of the gate after sitting on the shelf since early last season. And true to form, his opening drive was a masterclass in heart-pantry anxiety. A play-action rollout went nowhere, followed immediately by an interception that bounced off receiver Coleman Owen’s hands.
Then came a lost fumble in the second quarter. At that point, half of Colts Twitter was likely ready to throw their remotes through the TV.
But credit where it’s due: Richardson didn’t tilt. He dusted himself off and put together a crisp, controlled performance for the rest of the first half. Finishing 11-of-14 for 145 yards through the air, he added 53 rushing yards and punched in a classic QB sneak for Indianapolis’s lone touchdown. His 78.5% completion rate marked his most accurate outing as a pro. It wasn’t perfect, but the poise after early disaster showed real maturity and growth for the Colts QB.
Will Mallory Looks Like a Proper Matchup Nightmare
If there was one Colts offensive weapon who consistently made Patriots defenders look like they were wearing cement shoes, it was tight end Will Mallory.
The third-year tight end sparked the Colts’ touchdown drive late in the second quarter with back-to-back grabs. First, he beat his man across the face on an out route, then showed absurd concentration by snatching a deflected pass along the sideline. Later in the third quarter, he caught a short pass on 3rd-and-7, planted his foot, exploded upfield, and plowed through defender Channing Canada for a 12-yard conversion.
Mallory brings vertical juice to an offense that desperately needs dynamic targets over the middle. If Thursday was any indication, he’s not just making this roster — he’s demanding snaps.
Caden Curry Wrecks the Edge All Night
While the Colts starters rested, rookie edge rusher Caden Curry played like a man possessed. The local product wasn’t just getting pressures; he was living in the Patriots’ backfield.
Curry racked up a ridiculous stat line for a preseason opener: five tackles, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, two batted passes, and a sack. He consistently beat his man off the snap, set a hard edge against the run, and showed a motor that didn’t stall until the final whistle. Depth along the defensive line is how teams survive December, and Curry made a massive statement that he belongs in the rotation.
The Defensive Front Rotation Stacks Up Quality Depth
Curry wasn’t the only guy causing havoc up front. Defensive end George Gumbs Jr. turned in relentless reps on the opposite side, putting heat on New England’s quarterbacks and collapsing pockets. Meanwhile, linebackers Austin Ajiake and Bryce Boettcher stepped up in the absence of CJ Allen and Akeem Davis-Gaither, making quick reads in the run game and tackling cleanly in space.
Preseason ties rarely land in NFL highlight reels, but for the depth guys fighting for a 53-man roster spot, Thursday night in Foxborough provided exactly the film they needed.
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