Can Gardner Minshew Lead Colts Into The Playoffs?
We Broke Down Gardner Minshew Player Stats For The 2023 Season
Gardner Minshew
Gardner Flint Minshew II
Indianapolis Colts 10
27 years old (05-16-1996)
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Flowood, Mississippi, U.S.
Quarterback
2019 / Round: 6 / Pick: 178
The Indianapolis Colts were so afraid of starting Gardner Minshew at quarterback that they elected to draft Anthony Richardson with their first selection of the NFL Draft.
However, four games into the season, the former Florida standout was hit with a season-ending injury that threw Minshew into the fire as the Colts’ starting quarterback.
As a starter for the Colts this NFL season, Minshew and the Colts have been inconsistent. The Colts have won three or more consecutive games under Minshew twice this season. However, they’ve also had one stretch where they lost three straight.
After four straight wins, Minshew is looking to stay away from another losing streak.
The Colts are 7-5 and inside the playoff picture, being two games above .500.
Let’s take a look at the Gardner Minshew player stats throughout his career below.
Minshew Mania
No teams have ever wanted to build their offense around Gardner Minshew.
As a rookie against the Jaguars, Minshew played 14 games, adding 21 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also added 3,271 yards and completed over 60% of passes in those 14 games.
However, he only played in nine games for the Jaguars in his sophomore season in 2020. He totaled 2,259 yards while completing 66.1% of passes.
Minshew Mania Started to Develop.
After that season, Minshew took an opportunity with the Eagles in 2021 and 2022. He played in nine games and added seven touchdowns and four interceptions without ever really getting a fair opportunity.
Therefore, he packed his bags from Philadelphia and went to Indianapolis, where he competed for the starting quarterback position in Indianapolis.
However, when the Colts added Anthony Richardson with their first pick in the NFL Draft, it was clear they were hoping to start Richardson and make him the franchise quarterback.
Minshew knew he would still get a paycheck, but he probably didn’t expect to be playing an entire season at quarterback for a playoff contender.
Richardson went down early for the Colts and needed Minshew to keep the team together this year. So far, he’s had an up-and-down season. But he’s added 2,284 yards with ten touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Most of all, he’s added confidence within the organization, which is also performing with first-time head coach Shane Steichen.
Gardner Minshew Player Stats
It’s hard to be a backup in the NFL. You never know when your name will be called, but you always must be ready.
Minshew has had starting jobs before. But he’s viewed as a backup quarterback in the league. The Colts weren’t even satisfied naming him the starter earlier this season. Don’t look now but he’s about to throw for 9,000 yards in his career and has completed nearly 63% of passes throughout 44 NFL games.
This season is the first time he’s played more than nine games since his sophomore season in 2020.
In just five seasons, Minshew has played for three different teams. He’s a journeyman. But guys like Chase Daniel have proved that you can make a really nice living as a backup.
However, Minshew can use this season to prove he’s still a viable quarterback option for teams desperately needing a starting-caliber quarterback.
Let’s check the Gardner Minshew player stats below.
| Gardner Minshew | Career Stats |
|---|---|
| COMP | 799 |
| ATT | 1272 |
| COMP % | 62.8% |
| PASS YDS | 8,916 |
| PASS TDS | 54 |
| INT | 22 |
| CAR | 135 |
| RUSH YDS | 1573 |
| RUSH TDS | 5 |
Minshew has elevated his game in some areas in his first season with the Colts but has looked weaker in other spots.
| Gardner Minshew | 2023 Stats |
|---|---|
| COMP | 213 |
| ATT | 339 |
| COMP % | 62.8% |
| PASS YDS | 2,284 |
| PASS TDS | 10 |
| INT | 7 |
| CAR | 23 |
| RUSH YDS | 52 |
| RUSH TDS | 3 |
Will The Colts Make The Playoffs
Seven teams in the AFC will make the playoffs.
Right now, the Colts are sitting in 6th place after a win against the Titans. Indianapolis is 7-5 and second in the AFC South.
The Houston Texans are 7-5 and third in the AFC South. They’re chasing the Colts, as well as the Broncos, Bills and Bengals.
The Colts play the Bengals this weekend. Meanwhile, the Texans and Broncos will play against each other in Week 13. This week will help shape up the bottom portion of the playoff picture.
Meanwhile, the Colts are projected to earn 9.5 wins this season. The Over is sitting at -140, while the Under is at +120. Oddsmakers think that Minshew and the Colts have a favorable schedule heading into the regular season’s final weeks.
Indianapolis has a better than 50% chance of making the playoffs. Right now, oddsmakers have the Colts at +165 to miss the playoffs. Indianapolis’ Super Bowl odds are also a long shot when looking at the NFL odds.
The expectation is for the Colts to lose in the Wild Card Round. You can wager on the Colts losing in the Wild Card round at +105, which is almost 50-50.
While Minshew was in the playoffs last year, he was only with the Eagles as a backup in the NFC Divisional and NFC Championship games.
He can finally earn a playoff spot and a playoff win as an actual starter for the Colts this season.
His NFL 2,284 NFL passing stats are only better than Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett, and Mac Jones. But he didn’t begin the season as the starter for the Colts. He’d likely have more passing yards than Russell Wilson and potentially Lamar Jackson if he played the earlier games for the Colts.
The Gardner Minshew player stats are nothing special. But sometimes, the best quarterback doesn’t win every game. Minshew has instilled confidence in this team and has mostly played complementary football with a solid Indianapolis defense. That’s what counts.
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