The Jacksonville Jaguars are preparing to take on the Indianapolis Colts at home for Week 8, and are looking to win their 12th straight win over the Colts as the home team. Currently, the Jaguars are 4-2 and on top of the AFC South, while Indianapolis has been running a fire sale after having seemingly giving up on their season.
It's assumed that Jacksonville has an easy advantage over the Colts in this game, but as head coach Liam Coen has repeatedly stressed, it would be a mistake to underestimate any team. Indianapolis will be coming into this game desperate and angry, and self-inflicted mistakes have cost the Jaguars at least one game, if not arguably both of their losses. Jacksonville should have an easy win this week, but it would be a mistake to take that win for
granted.
Here are five key matchups to watch.
Jaguars defensive front vs. Colts’ reshuffled offensive line
Quenton Nelson is gone, rookie Jalen Farmer is the likely option at left guard, and Matt Goncalves was limited Wednesday. Indianapolis has already allowed Daniel Jones to be pressured plenty this year, and now Jacksonville gets its first shot at that line without Nelson.
This is especially interesting to watch given that the Jaguars' defensive front has been bringing heavy pressure so far this season, but not many sacks. Could this game be the one to change that?
Jonathan Taylor vs. Jaguars run defense
Taylor has 587 rushing yards and eight TDs on 140 carries, while Jacksonville is allowing only 3.2 yards per carry and 433 total rushing yards through six games. And with the rest of Indy’s offense struggling, stopping Taylor is likely the top priority for the defense.
The Colts offense has a lot of issues, but Taylor is one of the best running backs in the league. He will always be a threat, even under the worst circumstances.
Ventrell Miller and Foye Oluokun vs. Tyler Warren
The other major threat on the Indianapolis offense is tight end Tyler Warren. He has been injured, but returned to practice Wednesday, and there is a good chance he will play Sunday. If he does, this will be one of the most interesting matchups to watch.
Despite Indy’s offensive issues, Warren still has managed to rack up 30 catches for 213 yards and two touchdowns in five games. He’s exactly the kind of security-blanket weapon a shaky quarterback can lean on. Miller has meanwhile become one of the best linebackers in the league, and Oluokun is a strong, reliable leader on the defense, and been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week once already.
Parker Washington vs. Colts slot coverage
According to Pro Football Focus, Washington has been one of the league’s more productive slot receivers, while Indianapolis ranks 30th in yards allowed to slot receivers. Indy also plays man at a relatively high rate, and Washington has been excellent against man coverage.
That gives the Jaguars a huge opportunity, and one they shouldn't let slip.
Jacksonville run game vs. Colts front without DeForest Buckner
Part of the Indianapolis fire sale included trading defensive superstar DeForest Buckner, which gives the Jaguars' run game a big opportunity. Indy is allowing 4.8 yards per carry, and now Buckner — who had four sacks and was one of the anchors of that front — is gone.
Jacksonville is expected to lean heavily on the run game, so it should be a big day for Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 5 key matchups to watch in Jaguars vs. Colts in Week 8
