Anthony Richardson Sr., Caden Curry Star in Colts' Preseason Tie

The Locked On Colts podcast discusses what they want to see from Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. on Thursday night against the New England Patriots. It wasn't always pretty, but the Indianapolis Colts found a way to dig out of a 10-point first-half deficit to end in a 13-13 tie with the New England Patriots in their preseason opener at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. FIRST QUARTER The Patriots' offense got the ball first after kneeling down on the opening kickoff. After two defensive pass interference calls on Colts cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (one on 3rd-and-3 and another on 1st-and-10), New England got into position for a 40-yard field goal by kicker Andy Borregales to take a 3-0 lead. The Colts' first offensive drive began promisingly enough, featuring a nine-yard run by running back Seth McGowan and then a screen from quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. to tight end Drew Ogletree for a 17-yard catch and run. However, the drive ended in an interception as Richardson threw high on the outside to receiver Coleman Owen, and the ball slipped out of Owen's hands and into Patriots cornerback Kindle Vildor's. Richardson later ended the first quarter with a 19-yard completion to receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine along the left sideline. Defensively, the Colts got impressive run stuffs by linebackers Austin Ajiake, Bryce Boettcher (two), and Jaylon Carlies. Carlies also had a pass breakup on third down to force a 56-yard field goal attempt, which Borregales missed. Regarding the pass rush, the Colts got a sack by rookie fifth-round pick George Gumbs Jr. as well as quality pressures from edge Jaylahn Tuimoloau and tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore. SECOND QUARTER To begin the second quarter, Richardson and McGowan had 34 yards on three carries to get the ball down inside the Patriots' 5-yard line. McGowan was then stopped at the goal line and had the ball knocked out for a fumble. The fumble was late in the play, and his elbow also appeared to be down, but the referees elected not to review it, and it resulted in the Colts' second turnover. With New England backed up deep in their own territory, the Colts' defense forced another three-and-out following an offensive turnover. On the ensuing drive, Richardson took off for a 10-yard yard before the ball was knocked out by Patriots linebacker K.J. Britt, resulting in yet another turnover, the Colts' third in four drives. The Patriots then marched downfield, with quarterback Tommy DeVito finding receiver Kyle Williams down the left side from 12 yards out for a score over Colts cornerback Johnathan Edwards, who was quickly beaten and didn't get turned around to play the ball. The extra point then made it a 10-0 game, with 4:03 remaining in the first half. The Colts' offense was finally able to put points on the board after this multi-score deficit was created. Richardson found receiver D.J. Montgomery from 13 yards out and then tight end Will Mallory from 18 and then 19 yards before Richardson took it in himself on the ground from a yard out two plays later to cut the deficit to 10-7 after a Blake Grupe extra point. After forcing a Patriots punt on the ensuing drive, the Colts were in position for a deep field goal, but Grupe pushed his 61-yard attempt wide right to end the first half. THIRD QUARTER The Colts and quarterback Riley Leonard got the ball to start the second half, and on the third play of the drive, Leonard launched a ball deep down the middle of the field as he was hit by a defender, and it was easily intercepted by safety John Saunders Jr. It was the Colts' fourth turnover in their first seven drives. New England then went nine yards in the next four yards for another Borregales field goal from 52 yards out to extend their lead to 13-7. The Colts' offense then went three-and-out before New England responded with a missed field goal on a seven-play drive. Leonard and the offense then stalled out with a turnover on downs when his pass was tipped on 4th-and-3 from New England's 6-yard line. Backed up deep in their own territory, quarterback Behren Morton and the Patriots' offense went punted once again after briefly digging themselves out with an eight-play drive. The two teams traded punts once again, dragging well into the fourth quarter. FOURTH QUARTER The Colts ended the punt fest when Spencer Shrader kicked a 46-yard field goal to put three more points on the board. Leonard had connections of 17 yards to receiver Sahmir Hagans and 14 yards to receiver Raylen Sharpe to get the Colts into positive field position. Colts linebacker Tahj Chambers made two consecutive plays on the next drive with big hits on second and third down to force a Patriots punt, giving the Colts the ball back with five minutes remaining and down by just three points. Shrader delivered once again as the Colts put together a four-minute drive, starting with about five minutes remaining in the game and getting a 61-yard kick from Shrader with just over a minute remaining. He's struggled in training camp, kicking under 70% for the offseason. The Colts' defense tussled with the Patriots' offense just enough on the ensuing drive to give New England an opportunity at a 49-yard field goal to break the tie with 0:13 remaining, but he missed it, wide left. It was his third missed field goal of the night. Colts rookie defensive end Caden Curry had an outstanding second half, totaling six tackles (two for loss), 1.0 sack, three QB hits, and two pass breakups, including some tone-setting run stuffs.