Shane Steichen on whether Joe Flacco will remain quarterback

MINNEAPOLIS – The Colts made a seismic and difficult decision to bench young, developing quarterback Anthony Richardson and use 39-year-old Joe Flacco at the game's most important position.

Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen cited one primary reason for the move.

The Colts coach believed Flacco now gave his team the best chance to win.

Flacco's first game as a starter didn't necessarily provide evidence to support that belief. Indianapolis suffered a 21-13 loss to the Vikings on NBC's “Sunday Night Football,” largely because the offense delivered arguably its worst performance of the season.

Indianapolis rushed for a season-low 227 yards, failed to manage a touchdown and failed to capitalize despite a defense that forced three turnovers. Kenny Moore II scored the Colts' only touchdown in the first half with a 38-yard scoop-and-score off a strip sack by Grover Stewart.

Given the team's struggles, Steichen was asked if Flacco will continue to be Indianapolis' starting quarterback.

“At the moment, yes,” said Steichen.

The Colts head coach was also asked if he still believes Flacco gives the team the best chance to win.

“At the moment, yes,” said Steichen.

Flacco struggled against the Minnesota defense.

Indianapolis mostly handled the Vikings' blitz-happy scheme and refused to allow a sack until the last, very last drive. Despite time to throw, Flacco completed just 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards and threw a game-winning interception on a crucial third down in the second half.

The Colts also had problems with Richardson at the helm. Richardson has completed a league-worst 44.4% of his passes, thrown seven interceptions and posted a league-worst quarterback rating of 57.2, but he has a penchant for explosive play.

The move to Flacco was intended to stabilize Indianapolis' offense.

Instead, things came to a standstill, leading to some of the same problems that have been present all season. Indianapolis couldn't sustain drives, resulting in Minnesota holding the ball 36:54, a possession that ultimately allowed the Vikings to take advantage of a tired Colts defense.

With that in mind, Steichen was asked if the moves from Richardson to Flacco, from Richardson to Flacco, have affected the offense's ability to establish an identity.

“I don’t think so,” Steichen said. “You just go, it’s like any position. You gotta go ahead and pick up the next guy. Obviously Joe went in there for us tonight.”

Steichen didn't blame Flacco much after the game.

Typically, Steichen placed most of the blame on himself.

“We’ll go back and look at it,” Steichen said. “Maybe he could have made a few shots here and there, but again he is a quiet guy who has been playing at a high level for a long time. Obviously I have a lot of trust in him.”

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