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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback Anthony Richardson hasnt played since Week 5. Jonathan Taylor, the 2021 NFL rushing champ, mi sed his third straight game Saturday.So when the Colts lost their leading rusher, Zack Mo s, and in the span of three second-quarter offensive plays, they didnt fret. They excelled.Short-handed Indy erased a 13-0 deficit by scoring the final J.J. Barea Jersey 30 points to keep its hold on the AFCs No. 7 seed for one more week and eventually move into a three-way tie for the AFC South lead. ADVERTISEMENT With the playing status of Taylor (right thumb surgery), Pittman (concu sion protocol) and Mo s (right arm) still unclear, Indy may need similar efforts from its backups to beat Atlanta on Sunday.I had a chance to talk to him (Saturday) night. Hes doing good, said Sunday, referring to Pittman. We will see how the week progre ses. Same with Zack, hes doing all right.Steichen and Colts players have been reluctant to criticize the hits that knocked out Mo s and Pittman, both of which drew personal foul penalties.Quarterback Gardner Minshew even seemed to partially blame himself for the scariest play of the game. Steelers safety Demontae Kazee launched himself into the diving, unprotected Pittman who remained on the ground for several minutes as players from both teams took to a knee before Pittman walked off the field.Kazee was ejected from the game and has been suspended for the rest of this season.I wish I wouldnt have put Pitt in that position, honestly, Minshew said. So you always try to do your best to protect your guys, but sometimes unfortunate things just happen in the game.Whether Kazees hit or Mykal Walkers horse-collar tackle on Mo s as he fought his Devonte Patterson Jersey way to a 16-yard TD catch, were intentional didnt matter to the Colts (8-6). Theyve been playing this way all season.Mo s emerged as one of the NFLs top rushers when Taylor opened the season on the physically unable to perform list. Minshew has proven himself to be one of the NFLs most capable backup quarterbacks. Center Wesley French and rookie tackle Blake Freeland have been solid when asked to replace injured starters Ryan Kelly and Braden Smith. Even linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr. has two interceptions, including a pick-6, since stepping in following the release of three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard.On Saturday, Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson and who spent most of this season on the practice squad added their names to the growing list. And to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020, Indy may need to keep playing this way for three more weeks. James Johnson Jersey Guys have to step up and go make plays when their number is called, Steichen said. You never know when thats going to happen. Obviously, (Saturday) was that day for those guys and they made the most of it.WHATS WORKINGMinshew. Steichen saw what Minshew could do when they worked together in Philadelphia the previous two seasons, and the backup QB has been worth every penny. Hes matched a career high in wins (six) and Saturday.WHAT NEEDS HELPKicking. Matt Gay is the leagues highest-paid kicker and early this season, he played like it making his first six field-goal attempts, four from 50 or more yards. But Gay mi sed two field goals against the Steelers, is 10 of his past Steve Nash Jersey 15 and has at least one mi s in four of the Colts past five games. Pittsburgh also blocked a punt.STOCK UPSermon and Goodson. Sermon went into Week 15 with 11 carries this season, Goodson had none. They sure didnt play like backups. and 88 yards on the same field he rushed for an Ohio State-record 331 yards three years earlier. Goodson rushed 11 times for 69 yards.STOCK DOWNWR Josh Downs. From Weeks 5-11, the former North Carolina star looked like a breakout rookie Wes Iwundu Jersey . Over the past three weeks, though, his productivity has decreased. He has nine receptions for 65 yards during the span, including three catches for 19 yards last weekend.INJURIESIn addition to Pittman, Mo s and Taylor, the Colts remain hopeful Smith can return from a knee injury after mi sing the past two games. KEY NUMBER1 The Colts are tied with defending AFC South champ Jacksonville and surprising Houston for the division lead and a winning record in Steichens first season as a head coach.NEXT STEPSGetting Taylor back this week, as the Colts were hoping by not putting him on injured reserve, would be a big boost. But the lo s at Cincinnati and the slow start against Pittsburgh have raised more questions about the defense than the offense. If Indy is going to make the playoffs, the defense needs to be more consistent.___AP NFL: