CINCINNATI – The next time the Colts play a game, the result will count.
That’s not to say that Thursday night’s final preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium didn’t matter; the five series by the Colts’ starting offense and three series by the Colts’ starting defense were very important. For several reserve players looking to solidify their roles and/or spots on the roster, Thursday’s opportunity was quite important.
The result – a 20-14 victory – will mean nothing more than some good feelings on the drive home to Indianapolis. But with an eye on the season opener on Sept. 8 against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts went to work Thursday against the Bengals’ second, third and fourth lines of offense and defense.
Quarterback Anthony Richardson and most of the first-team offensive linemen played 25 snaps on their five possessions, the first being 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 errant pass in the end zone going past the fingertips of tight end Drew Ogletree before finding Mitchell for a nine-yard touchdown.
