INDIANAPOLIS — Two weeks ago, when Joe Flacco was installed as the Indianapolis Colts’ starting quarterback, head coach Shane Steichen’s clear message was the playoffs were the primary goal and the 39-year-old veteran gives the team the best chance to achieve it.

So it was natural this week — in the wake of Anthony Richardson’s return as the starter — to ask whether that stance has changed.

“We’re still trying to win every game,” Steichen said. “100% we’re still trying to win every game. That’s our goal.”

There’s a definitive sense of urgency as the Colts (4-6) attempt to end a three-game losing streak and regain some ground in the postseason chase.

The Denver Broncos (5-5) opened the week with a one-game lead for the AFC’s final wild-card berth, and the Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) are tied with Indianapolis for the eighth spot.

It’s a crowded race with seven games remaining in the regular season, and Sunday’s opponent — the New York Jets (3-7) — can claw back into the conversation with a victory.

The Jets entered the season with great expectations with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. But New York ranks 26th in the 32-team NFL with an average of 17.7 points per game.

Even with their carousel spinning under center, the Colts have averaged more than a field goal better (20.8) and rank 18th.

That’s not to suggest the Jets’ attack lacks intimidation.

The 40-year-old Rodgers remains a threat, completing 62.4% of his passes for 2,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. But he has been intercepted seven times.

New York also has dangerous skill position players including wide receiver Garrett Wilson (65 catches, 704 yards, five touchdowns) and running back Breece Hall (136 carries, 554 yards, three touchdowns).

“We ended our (Thursday) meeting with just watching some of (Rodgers’) escapes and how he extends plays and stuff like that,” Indianapolis defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said. “People are saying he’s not as mobile as he used to be, but he’s still mobile. He can still find ways to get out of trouble and little things like that.

“The way he gets the ball out quick can really put a toll on the d-line and frustrate a d-line. As a front, we just have to do a really good job with keeping him in the pocket and really continuing to stay after it because we know the backend is going to do their thing and try to make him hitch — give us that extra step and extra second that we can get to him. The guys know how big of a threat he is.”

The Colts have recorded 10 sacks in the past four weeks, and pressure again will be among the keys to victory.

Rodgers has been sacked 23 times this season, including three in a 31-6 loss last week against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Jets rank 10th defensively with an average of 21.4 points allowed per game. But they’re just 1-4 since firing head coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8, and the defense has surrendered an average of 25.8 points and 348.8 yards during that stretch.

New York has the league’s second-ranked pass defense, but it’s just 25th against the run.

Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor has rushed for at least 100 yards in four of his seven games played this season.

A strong running game could go a long way toward settling down the 22-year-old quarterback returning to the starting role for the first time in three weeks.

Richardson said he’s got a new perspective on his job after watching from the sideline as the backup.

“You understand the magnitude of everything,” he said. “You understand the magnitude of the position. You understand the magnitude of the work that you have to put in just to make sure you’re right for the team. But I definitely appreciate it.”

He also seems to have retained the full faith of the locker room.

At some point during the lineup shuffle, the team’s other captains came together and determined they needed to aid Richardson’s growth.

They let him know the standard he needs to meet as a franchise leader.

And they let him know they will always have his back.

That sense of camaraderie extends to the playing field as Richardson makes his comeback.

“He’s the guy that we’ve got to lean on,” linebacker Zaire Franklin said. “He’s the guy that’s going to be the future of this organization. So with (No.) 5 out there, we’ve got a chance. Now with that being said, we’ve got to do our part.

“Defensively, there’s things we can work on. There’s things that we can be better on, and we’re focusing on that. We’ve got a great challenge on Sunday against an extremely talented group, regardless of what the record says. So we just got to continue to get better and grow as a team.”