With three games left in the regular season, the Colts' chances to make the playoffs are slim. They're also largely dependent on other teams.
After Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, the Colts have a 13 percent chance to make the playoffs, per the New York Times. They would have to win all three remaining games while also hoping the Los Angeles Chargers lose two of their last three games – in this scenario, the Colts would make the playoffs over the Chargers based on having a better AFC record.
There are other paths, but the bottom line is this: the Colts no longer fully control their playoff destiny.
But they can control how they play their last three regular season games.
For Anthony Richardson, it starts with taking Sunday's loss for what it is and moving forward.
"I don't think it's difficult (to refocus) honestly, because every week you're trying to win – win that week," Richardson said Wednesday. "We're not necessarily thinking about last week. It happened, it is what it is. We're just trying to make sure we finish out strong this year, so if we do get an opportunity to get in the playoffs then we make sure we take care of our business."
Part of what goes into winning, in Richardson's mind, is improving his decision-making – something he's made concerted efforts to work on the entire season. The quarterback completed 17 of 38 passes for 172 yards and had seven carries for 46 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos, but what unfortunately stood out the most from the contest were the two interceptions Richardson threw. After the game, he took responsibility for both.
Richardson said on Wednesday that his decision-making is something he and head coach Shane Steichen often make a point to focus on when they go over film from previous games.
"I feel like as a quarterback you've got to be able to make great decisions at all times, whether that's handing the ball off the right way or looking at coverage the right way, checking the play," Richardson said. "So (I) always have to make sure my decisions are on point."
It's also worth keeping in mind that Richardson has now played in a total of 14 NFL games and is still just 22 years old; he still has a lot of learning and development to do, and he'll be the first to say it.
"I feel like I'm growing and calming down a little bit when it's time to play football out there, but there's always room to improve," Richardson said. "So I'm still looking to do that."
Richardson is also looking to continue honing the fine details that come with playing in the NFL, as are the rest of his teammates.
"We were talking about that on the sideline, talking about that at halftime, talking about throughout the whole time of (Sunday's) game," Richardson said. "Focusing on the details and making sure that we (don't) beat ourselves. We didn't get the outcome we wanted because of the details, so that was that."
So, despite the variety of possibilities as to how the next few weeks could shake out, Richardson's mindset is a simple one: control what he can control, and win.
"Just another week to go out there and get better, perform and do what we've got to do to get a W," he said. "Honestly, that's it."
And that starts with beating the Tennessee Titans this Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
