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After Jonathan Taylor’s injury in week five, the Indianapolis Colts’ running game was in disarray. The Colts were finally able to resume their success on the ground against the Miami Dolphins after starting quarterback Anthony Richardson returned to the lineup.

After a backfield headed by Joe Flacco and Trey Sermon could to only muster 80 yards on the ground on 2.9 yards per carry against the Tennessee Titans, the Colts were coming off one of their worst rushing games in a long time. The Colts increased that total to 155 yards running and 4.2 yards per carry after Richardson returned to the starting lineup for week seven.

The Colts’ rush game did not have a flawless day, but their performance against the Dolphins was more in line with preseason projections. Richardson led the squad with 54 yards of rushing on the day, and the Colts were able to score five spectacular runs in this one.

The main factor that allowed the Colts to have a strong rushing day against a stingy Miami defense was Richardson’s return to the starting lineup.

The QB Advantage of +1
The likelihood that a quarterback like Richardson will get the ball on any planned run call is the biggest benefit of having him in the backfield. Defensors are drawn away from Richardson just by the possibility of him keeping the ball. Richardson can always be regarded as a threat in the +1 QB run game because this is the main reason the Colts are a gun/pistol exclusive offense.

Richardson’s presence on the field contributed to a number of significant runs for the Colts’ offense on Sunday, and Tyler Goodson’s first explosive play is a prime example. On the read option, Richardson is crashed inside by the nickel cornerback and the play side defensive end, creating a huge gap on the edge that allows Goodson to turn the corner.

Even on occasions where Richardson wasn’t carrying the ball, the +1 quarterback run game was evident versus Miami. On the pin/pull picture, Goodson has room outside after Richardson is crashed by the slot corner and playside

Perhaps the best illustration of Richardson’s impact on the ground game is Goodson’s touchdown run later in the game. The whole Dolphins defense is fitting this read option call as though Richardson is the one holding the ball since opposing defenses are aware that the Colts like the ball in his hands at the goal line.

Richardson’s side had a huge lane that Goodson could use to score after two linebackers and a safety fit to the B gap. This is the best example of the +1 QB hypothesis ever.