INDIANAPOLIS – Anthony Richardson’s not simply celebrating his success from Sunday’s win against the New York Jets.

If the past month has taught the Indianapolis Colts quarterback anything, it’s the need to always move forward in search of constant improvement.

So, after his best game as a pro, what is Richardson hoping to improve this week?

“Not fumbling,” the 22-year-old said Wednesday at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. “I had two fumbles throughout the game. So definitely trying to keep the ball in our hands and pushing the ball down the field and moving the ball. But just being consistent with that, and just having a clean game with no turnovers.”

In the NFL, a player’s only as good as his last performance.

In that regard, Richardson is riding an all-time high.

He completed 20 of 30 passes against the Jets for 272 yards and one touchdown, and he rushed 10 times for 32 yards and two more scores.

Most impressively, Richardson was 8-for-10 in the fourth quarter and led a pair of scoring drives to erase an eight-point deficit.

He threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Josh Downs with 10:11 remaining to get the Colts (5-6) back into the game. And his 4-yard touchdown run with 46 seconds left proved to the game winner.

His reward? An increase in the degree of difficulty.

Indianapolis hosts the Detroit Lions (9-1) and the NFL’s top-ranked scoring offense (33.6 points per game) this week.

The Colts will need to be more creative and efficient on offense than ever before to keep pace with the Motor City scoring machine.

And Richardson’s teammates believe the work he’s put in behind the scenes will continue to pay dividends.

“I think that everything that he’s doing is building him into this position that he will be able to keep that (success) going,” wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. said. “Now we’re going up against one of the best teams in the whole NFL, so it’s definitely going to be a challenge, but I think it’s one that he’s up for.”

Much of Richardson’s two weeks on the bench prior to the win against New York was spent working on his preparation.

By all accounts, the necessary improvement wasn’t massive. It was about the finer details that make all the difference at the game’s highest level.

It was evident against the Jets in the crispness with which Richardson operated the offense.

He said after the game he’s never been more relaxed as a pro, and that’s a direct result of the confidence bred by preparation.

“I think he was decisive throwing the football,” Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said. “The accuracy showed up. He was calm in the pocket. He didn’t seem sped up. The offensive line protection was great. Some of those passes he threw were big-time throws. So we’ve got to continue that.”

For at least one teammate, none of this came as a surprise.

The week Richardson was sent to the bench, linebacker Zaire Franklin stood inside the Mike Chappell Media Room and expressed his firm belief the quarterback remained the future of the franchise.

It was not a popular opinion at the time, with many wondering if Richardson would ever start in a Colts uniform again.

The win against New York kept alive Indianapolis’ playoff push and reminded everyone the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft’s story is just getting started.

Franklin didn’t need further evidence to deepen his faith.

He got it anyway.

“I wouldn’t say he reinforced (the belief), but. man, it was a while since I felt helpless and watched a QB come and just take over the game and win the game like he did,” Franklin said. “It was definitely special. I’m glad that he got that moment. I’m proud of him, but the journey still continues.

“You could put in all the work and still not play great, but putting in the work gives you a chance. I think he gave himself a chance to be special on Sunday, and he continued to put in the work to give himself another good chance to be great on Sunday coming up.”

INJURY REPORT

The Colts held only a walk-through Wednesday, so practice participation was estimated.

The news was not good on left tackle Bernhard Raimann (knee), who was listed as a non-participant. But Steichen said the situation will continue to be monitored throughout the week.

Right tackle Braden Smith (foot) was limited.

Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and defensive end Tyquan Lewis (elbow) – who opened his 21-day window to return from injured reserve – were full participants.

All 53 Lions were estimated as full participants in Detroit’s walk-through.