Moeller: Jaguars Need To Take The Gimme Against The Colts
The Jaguars have a gimme Sunday, and they have to take advantage of it.
Good teams do that. The 4-2 Jags are in that category.
They host the reeling 2-5 Colts, who are in the beginning of a massive rebuild, Sunday the Bank, and they need to take advantage of the obvious in front of them.
At the time of this writing, running back Jonathan Taylor was still with the team, even though he is expected to be jettisoned soon. Guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner recently found new homes. General manager Chris Ballard was recently canned, and wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade.
The Colts have lost three straight, one loss gave Tennessee its first win.
Jacksonville has won 11 straight home games against Indianapolis and are 10-point favorites.
This should all add up to an easy Jaguars’ victory Sunday, right?
Yet, there is some hesitation in the minds and voices of plenty of Jaguars’ fans.
Taylor can still be a threat, but the Jags’ defense limited him to under 80 yards in both games last season. He has had some big games in the past.
The Jags should have the advantage here because they have the league top rush defense, allowing 72.2 yards per game.
As far as the Jaguars, they have lost their last two home games following a bye week, and they are 8-7 at home overall. Since 2018, they are 2-6 overall after a bye.
The most glaring issue is their offensive line, where they have lost left tackle Anton Harrison for the season with a knee injury, but veteran Walker Little is expected to fill the void.
Veteran guard Patrick Mekari should be coming off the injured list soon, and second-year guard Wyatt Milum likely will be sliding over to a tackle spot.
GM James Gladstone has been working the phones to seek some veteran depth, and he should find some help.
The Jags still have some questions about their secondary that has had its share of injuries and is ranked 30th overall. They have been burned for an average of 273.8 yards per game.
But Colts QB Daniel Jones is rumored to be on a short leash with his four touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
Aside from that, the Jags need to take control of the Colts’ game early. They can’t afford a slow start, which has always hampered them in the past.
The Jags also need this one because they have a quick turnaround and travel to Baltimore Thursday night. Baltimore will have a tough skirmish at Buffalo Sunday.
This is a good game for the Jags to lift their running game behind Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez. Indianapolis’ defense is 22nd against the run, allowing 124.4 yards per contest.
A win will further cement their hold on the weak AFC South unless Houston gets it together.
Take the gimme, Jags.
Good teams do it, and it helps turn them into better teams.
