JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts are looking to snap two different losing streaks when they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday.
Indy hasn’t won in Duval County since 2014. Even more importantly, the Colts are limping to Florida off back-to-back losses for the first time this season.
After a historic 8-1 start to the season, the Colts have hit an offensive wall, averaging just 21.8 points a game in the month of November, which is more than 11 points fewer than the league-best 33-point average they had entering the month. That flat offense has caused three losses in the last four games.
The Jaguars, on the other hand, have ripped off three straight wins and taken over the top spot in the AFC South from the Colts.
The Colts know that there’s no time to waste as the calendar changes.
“Obviously, there’s a lot on the line going into December, and we got to play at our best,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said. “Our urgency level’s got to be there. We have a tough task ahead of us. We’re going to get their best shot. We’re going to give them our best shot. It’s going to be a hell of a football game, and we have to go execute.”
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones continues to play with a reportedly fractured fibula in his left leg. He emphasized the importance of this game in Jacksonville earlier this week.
“It’s a big game for us, for sure. I think we all know that,” Jones said. “Divisional games late in the season are always big. (The Jaguars are) a good team, good defense. They do a good job rushing the passer. They create turnovers and make a lot of plays in the back end, so we’ll have to be ready to go.”
The Jags aren’t only a good pass rushing team. They also have the best rush defense in the NFL. Jacksonville allows opponents just 82.4 rushing yards a game.
“They’ve been very disciplined, tough group,” Colts running back Jonathan Taylor said. “But it’s going to come down to being physical at the point of attack, and then also it’s going to be a 60-minute match with those guys at home.”
The Colts are tired of hearing about the drought in Jacksonville. Not one current Colts player has ever won in Jacksonville. Eight-year veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin said he’s had this game circled on his calendar since the beginning of the year.
“This Sunday is, literally, all you’ve been looking to all season,” Franklin said. “Obviously, the last couple weeks didn’t go the way we wanted, but there’s no better opportunity to get back on track than at Jacksonville. You know it’s a game I look forward to, and I think we will definitely get back on track after Sunday.”
The Colts kick off on the road against the Jags at 1 p.m. Eastern Sunday.