INDIANAPOLIS — Quarterback Anthony Richardson returned to the Colts' starting lineup on Sunday, and he took advantage of the opportunity, leading Indianapolis to a 28-27 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Richardson completed a 39-yard pass to wide receiver Alec Pierce and a 17-yard throw to wideout Josh Downs before scoring his second touchdown of the day on a four-yard run to put the Colts ahead for good in a back-and-forth game. The defense finished the game with pass rusher Kwity Paye sacking Aaron Rodgers as time expired. The victory snaps a three-game losing for the Colts as they fight to stay in the AFC Wild Card race. In the passing game, Richardson finished 20-of-30 for 272 yards and one touchdown. The Colts scored the first time they touched the ball, as they converted the first third down they faced when Richardson connected with Downs for 31 yards. Running back Jonathan Taylor added runs of eight and 10 yards before Matt Gay kicked a 41-yard field goal to give the Colts a 3-0 advantage. The Colts punted on their next drive, before converting another big third down. Richardson hit rookie receiver Adonai Mitchell for 33 yards. The pass helped the Colts move the ball to the Jets' 1-yard line. Defensive linemen DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart came in to block for Taylor on the next play, but he was stopped for a loss. Richardson then ran around the end for a two-yard touchdown and 10-0 lead. The defense was stout in the first half, forcing three three-and-outs, then stonewalling New York tight end Tyler Conklin on a direct snap on fourth-and-1 from the Jets' 39-yard line. The Colts' offense turned the short field into a 47-yard Gay field goal to put the Indianapolis on top, 13-0. The Colts forced one more three-and-out before New York finally picked up a first down on a Rodgers-to-Conklin seven-yard pass with a minute and a half to go in the first half. The Jets picked up another first down on a Rodgers-to-Davante Adams 24-yard completion before they scored a TD on a Breece Hall 29-yard catch-and-run to make it 13-7 at halftime. Cotls receiver Ashton Dulin returned the second half kickoff 43 yards, but Richardson fumbled two plays later after being hit by linebacker Jamien Sherwood. Defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw recovered for New York, who scored two plays after that on a Hall 18-yard run to go ahead, 14-13. The Colts answered with an 11-play, 41-yard drive capped by a Gay 56-yard field goal to regain the lead, 16-14. The teams swapped punts before the Jets went back ahead on an Anders Carlson 58-yard kick. New York added to the lead with a Rodgers-to-Kenny Yeboah 11-yard touchdown two minutes into the fourth quarter. Richardson responded with a terrific drive, completing passes of 20, 8, 12 and 19 yards before finding Downs for a 10-yard TD to cut the Jets' lead to 24-22. The second-year quarterback had tight end Mo Alie-Cox wide open on the two-point try, but the pass was just out of reach. New York added insurance with a Carlson 35-yard field goal before Richardson's final drive for the winning score. The Colts return home next week to host one of the hottest teams in the NFL, the Detroit Lions. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium on FOX59.