Moeller: Jaguars-Colts Should Be A Playoff-Intense Matchup
There should be a sense of playoff intensity at EverBank Stadium Sunday afternoon. It can be as electric as the legendary against the Chargers in 2022 when the last official playoff game was in town.
The actual playoffs are weeks away, but the Jaguars should treat their matchup against the Colts as one.
This should be the biggest game in Jacksonville in the past three years.
After the Colts’ home loss against the Texans last Sunday, the 8-4 Jaguars find themselves staring down at an AFC South title. Beat the Colts Sunday, and a favorable schedule is down the road over their last four games.
They took care of business in Tennessee last week in as complete a victory as one could have.
Yet, there are still some glaring issues that have to be addressed Sunday.
The Jags were penalized 13 times, and they led the league in penalties with 104. Against an explosive team like Indianapolis, they can’t afford too many untimely ones.
Jacksonville’s running game looked strong on their first couple of possessions, but their production dwindled down t0 2.6 per carry at the end. Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten have to establish the run game against the Colts, who rank 28th in run defense.
A key to the running game this week with the health of the offensive line. Right tackle Anton Harrison returned, but left tackle Walker Little may be out this Sunday. Right guard Patrick Mekari was held out last week with a concussion.
On the flip side, the Jags must find a way to contain Jonathan Taylor. They have been one of the league’s top-run defense units, but they have slipped to 25th. For their sake, they will need to get Travon Walker, but Dennis Gardeck and BJ Green performed well against Tennessee.
Eric Murray and Jourdan Lewis could both be back from injuries and in the secondary Sunday, but the Jags’ secondary has been pretty cohesive all season.
Of course, the key as always will be Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence’s delivery was smooth and crisp last week and looked down the field often. Lawrence didn’t have a turnover and had two nice touchdown scoring strikes. Jakobi Meyers is becoming a favorite target, and Brian Thomas Jr. regained his stance with a pair of catches last week. The Jags have two prominent targets in Meyers and Thomas Jr along with the rising Parker Washington and Brenton Strange.
Indianapolis is in the perfect position to be taken Sunday.
The Colts lost defensive lineman DeForest Bruckner and safety Sauce Gardner went down last week.
The once 7-1 Colts have lost three of their last four games, dropping their last two, and they have come back down to earth like many believed they would.
Daniel Jones has six touchdowns and four interceptions over his last four games, and he completed just over 51 percent of his passes against Houston last week. Jones is looking lately like his Danny Dimes’ days with the Giants.
The Jags are 4-1 since their bye week, but the 8-4 Texans are on their heels with four straight wins.
A win Sunday places the Jags in a favorable position for the division title. A loss dampens their playoff hopes and complicates their playoff journey.
With the freefalling Colts, it’s pretty straightforward, and the stage is set in their favor.
Both teams need a win. The Jags can't afford a letdown, and the Colts have to get their gallop back.
That scenario should make it a fun day at the Bank Sunday.
