In Week 8 of 2026 our Indianapolis Colts will travel to the sunshine state to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Knowing the party was hitting the road, I sat down with Gus Logue of Big Cat Country. We swapped questions and answers about both the Jaguars and Colts and what follows is what I’ve learned about this week’s enemy.
You can find my answers to his questions here.
Chris Shepherd: How are Jaguars fans feeling about their postseason chances sitting at 4-2 with a firm lead on the AFC South? Is
this team a contender or do they just play in the AFCS?
Gus Logue: I don’t think opinions in Jacksonville have changed much since before the season began. Of course, playing in the AFC South is a nice boost, but the Jaguars are clearly a top-10 or so team in the NFL right now. We’re just not yet sure whether this roster has hit its ceiling, which is a good thing, but one thing that could hold Jacksonville back from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender is its trench play. LT Anton Harrison was just lost for the season due to a knee injury, and every Jags fan is clamoring for pass rush help before the trade deadline.
If the OL and DL can take a jump over the second half of the season, the league should really watch out for Jacksonville — and even if that doesn’t happen, Trevor Lawrence and Travis Hunter could still take this team far.
Chris Shepherd: If you were an offensive coordinator tasked with creating a game plan to beat this Jaguars defense, what would it look like? Anyone you would target? Anyone you would avoid?
Gus Logue: I would target the safety position in general. Antonio Johnson is quietly among Jacksonville’s best defensive players, but he’s been ruled out for Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. No. 2 safety Eric Murray had a concussion a few weeks ago and No. 3 safety Caleb Ransaw is on injured reserve.
Very few rushers have been able to reach the second level of Jacksonville’s run defense, so in order to attack this undermanned secondary, I would put the ball in my quarterback’s hands and have him attack the middle of the field. Just don’t throw it to #12.
Chris Shepherd: Who are a couple of lesser known players Colts fans should get ready to see a lot of this Sunday?
Gus Logue: Rookie receiver Josh Cameron has been impressive in limited action thus far this season. Even if Brian Thomas Jr. does not get traded, expect the Jaguars to keep giving Cameron offensive snaps. The Baylor product has been a great glue guy with special teams and run blocking contributions, but he’s also super exciting with the ball in his hands. If you don’t know what folks mean when they say a wideout has “strong hands,” then watch Cameron.
Kaevon Merriweather and Rayuan Lane III figure to split snaps at safety in Johnson’s absence, but I would also look for cornerback Montaric “Buster” Brown. He parlayed a career season into a new contract early in the offseason, but a hamstring injury has made him look almost unrecognizable. Jags fans will be praying that he is fully recovered coming out of the bye week.
Chris Shepherd: Given a win this weekend Jacksonville will go to 5-2. Do you see a potential for them to make any moves at the trade deadline? What positions might they look to upgrade?
Gus Logue: Perhaps they will add depth at offensive tackle after losing Harrison for the season. The more likely scenario is that Jacksonville upgrades its pass defense.
The Jaguars have lacked pass rush depth since 2018 (only one year after its historic “Sacksonville” season). For years, the EDGE room has consisted of Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, and a bunch of chumps. And Arik Armstead has been a decent 3-tech but interior push has been lacking for nearly a decade as well. The Jaguars need another pass rusher (Josh Sweat?) to help close out games against elite quarterbacks in January. But I also think that a veteran safety (Jessie Bates?) could fix a lot of communication errors in the secondary, the way Jakobi Meyers stabilized the passing offense last season.
Chris Shepherd: The Jaguars are heavy favorites at home this weekend. How do you see this one playing out and what will the final score be?
Gus Logue: I see the Jaguars taking care of business and winning by double-digit points. Let’s say 26-13. This is a potential look-ahead spot for Jacksonville, as they will play on Thursday Night Football in Baltimore next week, but they’ll be eager to play at home in new uniforms against a struggling division opponent on Sunday. The Bhayshul Tuten Breakout Game could come this week.
And with that, ladies and gentlemen, our week eight preview with the enemy is in the books. I want to thank Gus Logue for giving us some answers to out questions for this week.
Here’s to an entertaining and injury free game.
As always, go Colts.
