"Anthony Richardson: Colts' Preseason Victory over Eagles Highlights Mixed Performance"

Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson shows promise in preseason win against Philadelphia Eagles. Steelers dominate Falcons in preseason shutout.

The Indianapolis Colts faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles in their preseason finale, with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson leading the way. Despite showing glimpses of promise, Richardson also demonstrated that there is still much work to be done. As the starter for the Colts, Richardson completed 6 of 17 passes for 78 yards and rushed for 38 yards on five carries in the first half. Standing at 6-foot-4, Richardson was the fourth overall pick in the draft, hailing from the University of Florida.

During the fourth drive for the Colts, Richardson showcased flashes of greatness. He connected with Kylen Granson for a 17-yard gain, displaying his ability to make plays even in traffic. Richardson also demonstrated his agility by evading sacks on two occasions. However, he struggled with accuracy on several throws, with many of them sailing high.

The Philadelphia Eagles, who were the defending NFC champions, did not field any of their starters on offense or defense, including quarterback Jalen Hurts. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota took the helm for one series, completing 1 of 2 passes for 21 yards. Rookie sixth-round pick Tanner McKee, who is expected to be the Eagles' third-string quarterback, went 19 for 34 for 158 yards.

In another preseason matchup, the Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the Atlanta Falcons, winning the game 24-0. Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett led two touchdown drives, showcasing the readiness of both himself and the Pittsburgh starters for the upcoming regular season. Pickett completed all four of his passes for 86 yards, including touchdown runs by Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. The Steelers scored touchdowns on all five of their preseason possessions led by Pickett.

Falcons coach Arthur Smith opted to rest his starters, and his backups struggled to keep up with the Steelers' first-team units on both offense and defense. On Atlanta's first possession, backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke was sacked by T.J. Watt for a loss of 7 yards. The Falcons had a scoring opportunity in the third quarter, but running back Carlos Washington Jr. lost a fumble that was recovered by Steelers free safety Kenny Robinson at Pittsburgh's 8-yard line.

Overall, these preseason matchups provided valuable insights into the progress of the teams and their respective quarterbacks. While Richardson and Pickett displayed moments of brilliance, they also highlighted areas that need improvement. As the regular season approaches, these rookies will continue to refine their skills and work towards making a significant impact in the NFL.

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