The Jaguars fall to the Colts in a tale of two halves

The Jacksonville Jaguars lost a must-win game to the Indianapolis Colts.  The Jaguars are now 3-6 and although not mathematically eliminated are very unlikely to make the playoffs.

It has been a frustrating and disappointing season.  The first half was a defensive disaster for the Jaguars and despite their much-improved play in the second half, it was too little too late. This loss was strictly on the defense.

Leonard Fournette provided a much-needed spark and Blake Bortles played a good game. Andrew Luck looked like the Luck of old with crisp passes and good accuracy.  The Colts much-maligned defense played just well enough the win.

If anyone is counting, that’s five straight losses for our team. They are now in last place in the AFC South.

First Quarter – The Colts first drive went 75 yards in 7 plays and culminated in a touchdown pass to Eric Ebron. Ebron is the Colts top receiver and was covered by no one.  Jacksonville countered with a 5-play, 97-yard drive with a dramatic Bortles to Donte Moncrief 80-yard touchdown pass.

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The Colts scored again and the quarter ended Colts 14 and Jaguars 7.

Second Quarter – Another Luck to Ebron pass caused in part by blown coverage.  DJ Chark had an impressive 47 yard kick off return and Fournette scored a touchdown.  Sadly for the visitors, the kick was blocked. The Colts scored another touchdown and made a two-point conversion. Score Colts 29 Jaguars 13

• The television commentary by Adam Archuleta was very telling.  Here is a sample of the comments.  Multiple tight end sets are confusing the Jaguars defense.  There is a lack of discipline at all levels of the defense.  
• Confusion and chaos on defense have the Jaguars on the ropes.  This is as bad as I’ve seen the Jaguars defense play. There really isn’t anything else to say except when Phil Simms added at halftime The Jaguars defense is awful.

Second half – Things settled down in the second half. Jacksonville made their first fake field goal and the scored a touchdown on a pass from Bortles to Fournette. The score became very hopeful with the Colts ahead by only six points. Telvin Smith had an interception and the defense allowed the Colts only 27 total yards with 6.39 left in the game.

The offense became ineffective at this point.  First down runs were stuffed and it was obvious that the Colts knew that Bortles only throws short passes and checks down even when not under pressure.

However, Josh Lambo kicked 55-yard field goal and it became a 3-point game. Bortles threw a pass to Rashad Green and it was called complete on the field but the call was overturned and it was a fumble recovered by the Colts.  Game over.

Wrap up

The Black and Teal now play for pride.  It’s time to look at how a great defense became a poor defense.

Defensive coordinator Todd Wash has some big questions to answer.  It’s obvious that Fournette is a critical piece that makes the entire offense better. Bortles can play well but defenses know how to stop him even at his best. The kicking game and special teams are solid.

Finally, Jacksonville can still have a 9-7 or 8-8 season if changes are made.

GO JAGUARS!  Fan since day one and always will be.