Anthony Richardson has faced both successes and struggles this season, alternating between starting and sitting out.

However, his challenges have not gone unnoticed by the Detroit Lions, who are well aware of the significant threat he poses to opposing defenses.

After sitting out the previous two games in favor of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, Richardson was reinserted as the Indianapolis Colts’ starting quarterback on Sunday.

He responded in impressive fashion, leading his team to a thrilling 28-27 victory over the New York Jets.

Richardson’s performance was a testament to his resilience, as he engineered two crucial fourth-quarter drives, including the one that secured the win for the Colts.

The victory pushed the Colts to a 5-6 record, keeping their playoff hopes alive as the season progresses.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell took notice of Richardson’s performance.

During a media session on Wednesday, Campbell offered his perspective on what makes Richardson such a unique and dangerous player.

“I think what you saw last week was really him at his best,” Campbell remarked.

“I’m not sure you can even look at earlier in the year because it feels like they’ve given him more freedom now. They’ve allowed him to just play, and that’s when he’s at his best.

But at the same time, you have to be careful. If you run him too much, he’s vulnerable to injury.

So now, it’s all about getting first downs and scoring touchdowns. He has to lead them in that.”

Campbell’s comments suggest that the Colts are starting to fully unlock Richardson’s potential, allowing him to showcase his skills through a variety of offensive schemes.

Richardson’s versatility is one of his greatest strengths, and the Colts have increasingly tailored their offense to leverage that ability.

“They’ve got a bunch of different schemes to make the most of him,” Campbell explained.

“They use quarterback power, RPOs, read runs, play-action, and he can also scramble when needed.”

Richardson’s all-around ability was on full display during his game against the Jets.

Trailing 27-22 with just minutes left, Richardson led a six-play, 70-yard drive that ended with him rushing in for a game-winning touchdown with 46 seconds remaining.

The win was a reflection of his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.

Richardson finished with 272 passing yards, one touchdown, and added 32 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

While the Lions have already faced a number of strong quarterbacks this season, Campbell highlighted how Richardson’s size, speed, and skill set present a unique challenge.

At 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds, Richardson is a physical specimen.

As a dual-threat quarterback, he has the strength to escape the pocket and the agility to make plays while on the move. Additionally, he has shown the ability to make deep, accurate throws downfield.

“If you get your arms around him in the pocket, he can just push you off and make a throw downfield,” Campbell said.

“His strength, his ability to run, and his deep-ball accuracy are rare. He really has a nice deep ball, and he’s accurate with it.”

This combination of physicality and skill is what makes Richardson so dangerous.

As Campbell noted, it’s not just Richardson’s passing that creates problems for defenses—his ability to run the ball, especially when paired with a talented running back like Jonathan Taylor, makes the Colts’ offense even more threatening.

Statistically, Richardson’s season has had its ups and downs. As a passer, he has thrown for 1,230 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions, with a completion rate of just under 49%.

However, his impact is far greater when you factor in his running ability.

On the ground, Richardson has accumulated 274 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 51 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt.

For the Lions, stopping Richardson will require a disciplined approach, especially when it comes to limiting his ability to extend plays with both his arm and legs.

As Campbell emphasized, Richardson’s rare combination of power, athleticism, and skill makes him a true all-around threat.

Containing him will be crucial if the Lions hope to prevent the Colts from generating significant offensive momentum.