Four Down Territory: How the Jaguars beat the Colts
By David Levin
This is as big a week for the Jacksonville Jaguars as there has been one in some time. They must beat the Indianapolis Colts to keep playoff hopes alive.
You could tell things were different this week for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tougher practices. Tougher talk in the locker room. A renewed focus on the final two months of the season. Whatever it was, this is a team that knows winning is the only way it can make the postseason.
Now, fans and the national media want to see if this talented group of players will once again rise above current expectations and prove doubters wrong. The first step comes with a win over the Indianapolis Colts.
It’s unfortunate, but the Jaguars are once again taking baby steps after a four-game losing streak. There is plenty of work to be done. A road win against a division rival could be the jump-off point this team needs to be great again.
"Per John Oehser of Jaguars.com, “The Jaguars (3-5), after all, are tied for third in the AFC South with the Colts – and trail the division-leading Houston Texans (6-3) by two and a half games with the Texans holding a tiebreaker advantage because of a Week 7 victory at Jacksonville.”"
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It’s a tough mountain to climb. The coaching staff has reiterated this team needs to get back to playing football. Changes were made to the practice schedule and more preparation. A football team is only as good as the game plan put forth to help them win. We shall see if this week’s schedule and blueprint proves to be the one that springboards this team toward a string of victories.
Here are four things the Jaguars must do to win at Indianapolis on Sunday.
First Down: Run the football – I feel like we say this every week. Weel, we do. This week, Leonard Fournette is back. It’s not the elixir that cures everything, but it sure does help.
The Jaguars rank 24th in the NFL in rushing yards per game with 95. WHAT? This cannot be true, right? The Jaguars must effectively use Fournette this week and control the clock. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett must go back to playing smash-mouth football and run the ball down the Colts defense.
Look for Fournette to get 20-25 touches this week. I also see the Jaguars giving their running backs 35-40 touches total between running the football and catches balls out of the backfield.
Second Down: Use speed on the outside – The Colts play on a fast field, which should allow the Jaguars wide receivers to get separation on passing downs.
Dede Westbrook could have a huge game, but the player I am most interested in watching is DJ Chark to see if the rookie finally has a break-out game. The Jaguars have used his size more the past two games.
The Jaguars must also get some production out of Keelan Cole, who has had issues with dropping the football. If he re-establishes himself as a go-to pass catcher, the passing game could come up big on Sunday.
Third Down: Stay within the system – Blake Bortles does not have to win this game. So much has been made of his turnovers and his poor play the past month. Bortles had a good game prior to the bye week in London. Now, he must continue the progression.
Hackett must use more RPO on second and third down, but take the ball out of his quarterback’s hands. The running game must lead, Blake must follow.
If this comes down to the end of the game and Bortles must pass to win, the Jaguars could be in trouble.
Fourth Down: Defense, Defense, Defense – Jalen Ramsey said it best when he met with the media this past week. There are still eight games left in the season. There is plenty of football left to be played.
The defense must stick its chest out once again and prove how good it is.
The Colts offensive line has done a great job of protecting Andrew Luck, but Jacksonville’s speed on the outside should be able to pressure him and move him around in the pocket. The Linebackers must play better in space this week.
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Most important, do not let Marlon Mack run over the front seven. Jacksonville’s run defense must take a major step forward this week.