Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) celebrates his 64-yard touchdown reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Anthony Richardson made a triumphant return to the Indianapolis Colts’ lineup last weekend. Now he’s trying to take another big step — proving he can play well consistently — when he faces the Detroit Lions.

The Colts are one win away from climbing back to. 500 as they try to stay in the AFC playoff race. But the Lions are 9-1, have the NFC’s best record and are coming off a 52-6 rout over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Detroit (9-1) at Indianapolis (5-6)

Noon, Sunday, FOX

Series record: Colts lead 22-19-2.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) breaks a tackle against New York Jets safety Jalen Mills (35) as he crosses the goal line to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Last meeting: Colts beat Lions 41-21 in Detroit on Nov. 1, 2020.

Last week: Lions beat Jaguars 52-6, Colts beat Jets 28-27.

Lions offense: overall (3), rush (3), pass (6), scoring (1).

Lions defense: overall (13), rush (5), pass (27), scoring (5).

Colts offense: overall (21), rush (16), pass (21), scoring (19).

Colts defense: overall (28), rush (28), pass (26), scoring (17).

Turnover differential: Lions plus-9, Colts minus-1.

Lions player to watch

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. The All-Pro receiver has been nearly flawless of late, setting a franchise record with a TD catch in eight consecutive games. He caught all 11 passes thrown his direction last week and 24 of the 26 over the past three weeks. This week, he faces a pass defense that has struggled most of the season. If that continues again this week, the NFL’s highest-scoring team might add a lot more points to the total.

Colts player to watch

QB Anthony Richardson. After taking two weeks off and then winning back the starting job, Richardson delivered the best full game of his NFL career against the reeling Jets. This week’s game poses a significantly larger challenge against one of the NFL’s Super Bowl favorites with Richardson needing to show that last week was a trend — not a fluke.

Key matchup

Lions running backs vs. Colts run defense. When the Colts lost Pro Bowl DT DeForest Buckner early this season, Indy struggled mightily to hold running backs in check. Since Buckner returned, that has changed. The question now is whether they can hold one of the league’s most dynamic rushing duos — David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs — in check behind one of the NFL’s strongest offensive lines.

Key injuries

Lions TE Sam LaPorta may play after missing a game with a shoulder injury. LB Alex Anzalone, who broke his left forearm last week and is expected to be out for several games, was put on IR along with S Ifeatu Melifonwu, who is out with an ankle injury.

The Colts are relatively healthy. LT Bernhard Raimann (knee) did not practice Wednesday and RT Braden Smith (foot) did limited work. If either or both can’t play, Indy could finish its third straight game with three rookies on the offensive line.

Series notes

Indy has won five of the past six in this series. Detroit’s only win during that span was a 39-35 victory in Indy in 2018. … These teams were part of two joint practices in suburban Indy in August 2022. … Jim Caldwell served as a head coach for both franchises and led the Colts to the Super Bowl following the 2009 season and was fired by the Lions after going 9-7 in 2017. … Peyton Manning threw six TD passes at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day in 2004. … The first matchup between these franchises resulted in a 27-17 Detroit victory in October 1953.

Stats and stuff

The Lions have won a league-high eight straight, earning the best record in the NFC that ties the NFL’s best mark with Kansas City. … Detroit has won nine of its first 10 games in a season for the first time since 1934, when it started 10-0 and finished 10-3 in the franchise’s first season in the Motor City.

The Lions are seeking to sweep the AFC South’s four teams, beating the other three by a combined 130-43. They topped the 50-point mark against Tennessee and Jacksonville.