It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t comfortable. But it’s still a win. Jacksonville fans call them “the Cardiac Cats” for a reason. On Sunday, the Jaguars flirted with danger, gave away multiple scoring opportunities via two red zone turnovers and a turnover on downs inside the 25. But when the team needed a late play, the Jaguars slammed the door shut. With Sunday’s win, the Jaguars control their own destiny, with the ability to clinch the AFC South title in week 18, at home against the Tennessee Titans.
Here’s everything you need to know from Jacksonville’s Week 17 23-17 road victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Live blog:
Catch up on all the big plays and best moments from tonight’s game in our live blog!
Pregame Notes:
Both teams entered the matchup dealing with injuries in the trenches, missing their starting Center and Right Guard. For Jacksonville, Right Guard Patrick Mekari (back) and Center Robert Hainsey (groin) were both ruled out due to injuries, with seventh round rookie Jonah Monheim and Walker Little starting in their place. This was Monheim’s second career start. Running Back Bhayshul Tuten (finger) was again inactive as he recovers from his finger injury suffered against the New York Jets.
DL Danny Striggow (ankle) was also inactive after missing week 16 due to same and recently signed Cornerback Keith Taylor, Tight End Hunter Long, and Defensive Tackle Maason Smith (for consecutive weeks) were all healthy scratches.
Indianapolis starting Center Tanor Bortolini (concussion) and Right Guard Dalton Tucker (shoulder) were both unable to participate, coming off a short week, with the Colts eliminated from postseason competition. Additionally, All Pro Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner wad placed on IR this week after recently returning from the Injured Reserve in week 16 where he reaggravated his initial neck injury against the San Francisco 49ers. Cornerback Sauce Gardner, however, made his return from a three week absence due to a calf injury.
First Half
Indianapolis kicked off the matchup with an explosive 53-yard kick return, followed by an efficient, 8-play 29-yard drive (converting two first downs) before stalling in the red zone. Anthony Campanile’s defense held the Colts to a 33-yard field goal to begin the scoring. (Jaguars 0, Colts 3)
The Jacksonville opened the day with Lawrence and the passing game going 6 of 6 for 61-yards (with completions to five different receivers), moving into the Colts’ red zone. Jacksonville unsuccessfully attempted a Jakobi Meyers, Travis Etienne hook and ladder. Etienne lost control of the lateral, with Indianapolis recovering the first down, redzone Jacksonville fumble. The Colts, again, efficiently worked down the field on an early second quarter 15-play, 83-yard touchdown drive, converting on three out of three third downs. (Jaguars 0, Colts 10)
The Jaguars offense answered with another double-digit play drive into the Colt’s redzone with Lawrence completing five of his six attempts on the drive for 38-yards, with Lawrence rushing the final play in from four-yards. Through two drives, Lawrence was 11/12 for 99-yards and a rushing touchdown. (Jaguars 7, Colts 10)
The Jacksonville defense hunkered down on the Colt’s third possession, buoyed by two near-interceptions from Cornerback Montaric Brown. Following the Indianapolis punt, the Colts’ defense turned up the heat, hitting Lawrence on multiple dropbacks (their seventh QB hit of the half) before forcing a quick punt with 1:50 remaining in the half. Campanile’s unit continued their recent string of suffocating coverage, forcing a quick three and out while salvaging both of the team’s two timeouts. With 52-seconds left in the half, Jacksonville quickly drove to the Colts’ 16-yard line before Jacksonville would again surrender a redzone turnover – this one a late throw to Parker Washington, directly into the chest of Colts Linebacker Jermaine Pratt for the touchback with 15-seconds to go in the half.
Halftime Stats:
- Score: Jaguars 7, Colts 10
- First downs: Jaguars 11, Colts 10
- Time of possession: Jaguars 14:54, Colts 15:06
- Sacks: Jaguars 0, Colts 2
- Turnovers forced: Jaguars 0, Colts 2
- Rushing yards: Jaguars 52, Colts 50
- Yards per rush: Jaguars 5.2, Colts 3.8
- Passing yards: Jaguars 123, Colts 80
- Passing yards per attempt: Jaguars 6.5, Colts 4.7
- Redzone: Jaguars 1 for 3 (33%), Colts
- Penalties: Jaguars 2 for 15-yards, Colts 2 for 20-yards
- Points off turnovers: Jaguars 0, Colts 7
At the half, Lawrence was 14/17 for 137-yards, a touchdown run, an interception, sacked twice for a loss of 14-yards (75.7 passer rating), and four carries for 22-yards (5.5 YPC). Travis Etienne had five carries for 27-yards (5.4 YPC) and 2 catches for 16-yards. Jonathan Taylor, at the half reflected 12 carries for 51-yards (4.3 YPC), a rushing touchdown, and 2 receptions for 7 yards.
Second Half
Both offenses kicked off the second half with punts, as Jacksonville went three and out. Jacksonville recent addition DeeJay Dallas provided juice to the offense on the following drive with two early rushes totalling 21-yards and explosive catches by Brian Thomas Jr and Parker Washington to enter the redzone.
Lawrence, again did it with his legs, as this time Trevor closed out the drive with a designed rush for six-yards to secure Jacksonville’s first lead of the game. (Jaguars 14, Colts 10)
The Colts’ offense immediately answered, assisted by a questionable Ashton Dulin 18-yard catch that was somehow unsuccessfully challenged by Liam Coen.
An Eric Murray pass interference moved Indianapolis down to the Jacksonville five yard line, with Rivers completing the 5-play, 39-yard drive with a Mo Allie Cox touchdown pass over Eric Murray to retake the lead. (Jaguars 14, Colts 17)
Jacksonville added a 34-yard field goal to tie the game, following a 10-play, 51-yard, 4:33 drive. (Jaguars 17, Colts 17)
The Jaguars’ pass rush began to ramp up, as Travon Walker sacked Rivers on second down, forcing a third and long (15), followed by a punt by Indy after failing to convert. However, Jacksonville drove into scoring game for the third time on Sunday, while walking away with no points, instead deciding to go for it on fourth and a long one from the Colts’ 24-yard line. Coen dialed up a quarterback sneak, which was unsuccessful. The defense bailed out the questionable decision as Eric Murray deflected the Rivers third down pass at the line of scrimmage, and Jarrian Jones securing the timely interception.
This time Jacksonville didn’t fool around, adding the 42-yard Cam Little field goal, securing the fourth quarter lead with 6:58 remaining. (Jaguars 20, Colts 17)
Josh Hines Allen called “game” on the following drive, throwing the Colts’ offensive lineman into Rivers for a third down sack, with the defense forcing a turnover on downs.
The Jaguars, in clock running mode, declined two penalties (to remain on second and short), then inexcusably committed back to back penalties to push themselves back from third-and-one to third-and-10. After picking up a fourth-and-one, Jacksonville added a 53-yard Cam Little field goal to extend the lead with 18-ticks left. (Jaguars 23, Colts 17)
After moving to midfield for one final play, the Colts’ Hail Mary attempt was intercepted in the endzone by Safety Antonion Johnson, with Alec Piece close behind him.
Best highlight:
Jarrian Jones and Eric Murray’s timely joint defensive plays, in many ways, secured this game for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were struggling to complete the catch on defense in much of this one. They finally got their hands on the ball (twice) in the fourth quarter.
Biggest play(s) of the game:
According to rbsdm.com, the biggest play of the game by Expected Points Added (EPA) was Jakobi Meyers’ (Travis Etienne’s) redzone fumble in the first quarter (-5.9 EPA).
Per rbsdm.com, the biggest play of the game by Win Probability was Jarrian’s fourth quarter interception (-18% win probability).
Key stats (traditional):
- QB Trevor Lawrence: 23/37 for 263-yards (7.1 YPA), 1 interception (72.2 passer rating), 8 carries for 26-yards (3.3 YPC), and 2 TDs
- RB Travis Etienne: 17 carries for 76-yards (4.5 YPC) and 2 catches for 16-yards
- WR Parker Washington: 8 catches for 115-yards (14.4 YPR) on 10 targets
- TE Brenton Strange: 3 catches for 54-yards (18.0 YPR) on 5 targets
- LB Foye Oluokun: 12 tackles (4 solo)
- CB Montaric Brown: 6 tackles (4 solo), 2 passes defensed
- DE Josh Hines-Allen: 6 tackles (3 solo), 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 pass defensed
- DE Travon Walker: 4 solo tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 3 QB hits
- CB Jarrian Jones and Safety Antonio Johnson both had fourth quarter interceptions
View the full box score here
Game balls:
- Special Teams: Punter Logan Cooke: 2 punts for 127-yards (63.5 average) with one downed inside of the 20 and a long of 66-yards
- Defense: DE Travon Walker: 4 solo tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 3 QB hits
- Offense: QB Trevor Lawrence: 23/37 for 263-yards (7.1 YPA), 1 interception (72.2 passer rating), 8 carries for 26-yards (3.3 YPC), and 2 TDs
Full highlights:
- You can watch the top plays of the Week 17 matchup on the NFL’s YouTube channel here.
Post-game notables:
1. Situational Masters: Why go for it?
Playing on the road, in a matchup where your team took its first lead in the third quarter, where the offense has struggled with two red zone turnovers, and your passing game has been highly efficient I simply don’t understand running the ball on third and four or going for it on fourth and a long one from the 24-yard line. That’s a situation where you have to take the points and force Rivers to drive down the field. While Jacksonville was bailed out by Jarrian Jones’ interception, the decision still occurred and was questionable even on the surface.
2. Colts showing a future blueprint?
No doubt about it, the Colts roughed up Lawrence in this one, even without DeForest Buckner available. With multiple hits on the Jacksonville quarterback, success in the passing game was sparse in the second half, with Lawrence starting the game throwing 14 for 16, but ending 9 for 21 with the Colts blitzing and/or pressuring Lawrence on nearly half of his snaps. The pass rush was absolutely felt for Indianapolis and you’d expect playoff Jaguars opponents to similarly pressure Jacksonville in coming weeks.
3. No style points in the NFL
The Jacksonville Jaguars played one of their clunkiest games since possibly week 12 against Arizona. Yet, none of that matters when discussing the final score or the team’s record. The 12-4 AFC leading Jaguars have again found a way to win a one-possession matchup.
What are your thoughts from tonight’s game, Jaguars fans? Who surprised you most (or disappointed you) with their play tonight? Let us know in the comments.
