Jacksonville Jaguars pre-game analysis ahead of game vs. Colts
Florida Times-Union Jacksonville Jaguars reporter Demetrius Harvey gives the team’s keys to victory against the Colts in Week 17.
The Jaguars defeated the Colts 23-17, securing their seventh consecutive win.Jacksonville’s offense committed two costly turnovers in the red zone during the first half.With the victory, the Jaguars are now 12-4 and can clinch the AFC South title with a win or Houston loss in their final game.
Four questions about the Jacksonville Jaguars after their 23-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts:
First Down
Question: Did the Jaguars get away with not having their collective fastball yet winning their seventh straight game?
Answer: Yes. This wasn’t the Jaguars’ “A game” overall. The kickoff coverage team was bad. The offense had two red-zone giveaways.
But a division win on the road is always good no matter the style points and let’s face it, the Jaguars weren’t going to blow everybody out.
The defense allowed only seven second-half points and cornerback Jarrian Jones’ interception set up the tiebreaking field goal.
Not the Jaguars’ best stuff overall, but they are now 12-4 and will clinch the AFC South title with a win over Tennessee in Week 18.
Second Down
Question: The Jaguars’ first drive ended with a trick-play-turned-giveaway. Agree with the aggressive call by coach Liam Coen?
Answer: First, the play. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a short in-breaking pass to receiver Jakobi Meyers, who then attempted to pitch it back to running back Travis Etienne for the hook and ladder. Etienne fumbled it away for the Jaguars’ fifth red-zone turnover of the season (their sixth would come later in the first half).
The Jaguars did a walk-through of this play during Friday’s practice. It was a good idea, but that early in the game, my take is Coen should have saved that curveball for a time in the game (or future games) when the Jaguars positively needed it.
Of course, had Etienne handled the pitch, the conversation would be about how the Jaguars got bold early and it paid off.
Third Down
Question: The Jaguars were in position to tie the score or take their first lead late in the second quarter but Lawrence threw an end-zone interception. Bad throw?
Answer: Yes, bad throw and bad decision.
The interception came on second-and-3 from the Colts’ 16-yard line and 21 seconds remaining. Receiver Parker Washington ran a wheel route-type of pattern to the right side. He was picked up by linebacker Jermaine Pratt.
Pratt, to his credit, was able to hang with Washington into the end zone to make the interception. A bad throw by Lawrence, though. He had other options, like throwing it away or scrambling up the field for a short gain and a new set of downs (the Jaguars had one timeout remaining).
It was Lawrence’s first red zone turnover since an interception against Arizona.
Lawrence was 14-of-17 passing for 137 yards and the interception in the first half.
Fourth Down
Question: After allowing two scores (field goal/touchdown) to open the game, how well did the Jaguars defense play?
Answer: The Jaguars’ defense was excellent after the Colts opened with drives of 29 and 83 yards.
On Indianapolis’ last eight drives (not counting a kneel-down to end the first half), it went punt, punt, punt, touchdown, punt, interception, downs and interception.
The Colts didn’t have a completion of longer than 18 yards or a rush of longer than 10 yards. Jonathan Taylor needed 21 carries to gain his 70 yards.
Philip Rivers was 17 of 30 for 147 yards and one touchdown.
The Jaguars had two sacks and interceptions apiece.