Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (calf) was reportedly dealing with very serious back spasms leading up to the Week 17 contest against the New York Giants on Sunday, which is why he was deemed inactive. However, there were also reports coming from the team that Richardson was just dealing with "soreness," which ESPN's Stephen Holder says was ridiculous. Richardson was not permitted to speak to reporters after Sunday's loss, which eliminated Indy from postseason contention. With the Colts now eliminated from the playoffs, it seems likely that Richardson will miss a second straight game due to his back spasms, so fantasy managers still playing for a championship in Week 18 shouldn't expect to have the second-year signal-caller's services against the Jaguars. Veteran Joe Flacco went 26-for-38 for 330 yards, two TDs and two picks in his fifth start of the year against New York.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs was limited to just three catches on four targets for 22 yards and no scores in Sunday's 45-33 loss to the Giants. After showing a rapport earlier in the season with Joe Flacco under center, the veteran looked at both Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce more often with a combined 15 targets between them. Seemingly the No. 1 option around midseason, the 23-year-old has fallen out of favor regardless of who has been at QB, now with four straight contests with exactly three catches for a total of 142 yards and one touchdown over that stretch. The Colts, although eliminated from playoff contention, will get a favorable matchup in the final week of the season in a home contest against the Jaguars and Downs will look to finish the season on a high note.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce caught six of nine targets for 122 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 45-33 loss to the Giants. Both the target and catch totals were season highs, while it was the third time the speedy wideout has gone over 100 yards in a game this season. Although the 24-year-old is the third option behind Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. with just 35 receptions on the year, he leads the Colts in receiving yards (767) and reception TDs (6) thanks to his league-leading average depth of target (aDOT). If Joe Flacco gets the start again next Sunday, Pierce could be in line for at least a few more accurately thrown long-balls before the season is out in a great home matchup versus the Jaguars.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. set season highs in targets and receptions in Sunday's 45-33 loss to the Giants, hauling in nine of 10 targets for 109 yards and a score. With the Colts playing from behind all day, it was the intermediate-to-long-range pass catchers who benefitted from the unexpected game script as Indy tried to play catch-up. It was the fifth time in the last six games that the 27-year-old recorded at least seven targets and five receptions, but only the second time he's gone over 100 yards receiving all season, the other instance coming back in Week 4. With as poorly as this passing attack has looked, there are surely managers who saw this production on their bench, but for those who had the foresight to play the former second-round draft pick, he surely helped teams to fantasy championships. For anyone still playing next week or thinking about DFS options, the Colts get a favorable home matchup against the Jaguars, but monitor to see who is under center for the Colts as Joe Flacco will make the receivers better plays than if it is Anthony Richardson (back, foot).

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco completed 26 of 38 pass attempts for 330 yards and two touchdowns, but was responsible for three turnovers -- two interceptions and a lost fumble -- in Sunday's 45-33 loss to the Giants. The 39-year-old's 68.4% completion rate breathed some life into what has been an underwhelming passing attack, producing two 100-yard receivers in the same game for the first time all season for the Colts. However, Indy was playing from behind all game and Flacco likely had to throw more than they expected or wanted him to. Nevertheless, with Indianapolis eliminated from playoff contention, the Colts may not want to run Anthony Richardson (back, foot) out there for the final game in Week 18. If Flacco draws another start, it will be in a favorable home matchup versus the 4-12 Jaguars, the same team the veteran put up big numbers against earlier this season.