Jaguars: 5 Questions about the Indianapolis Colts

The last time the Jaguars faced the Colts, they won 6-0 at home. Can this team win this weekend against their AFC South foe?

If Jaguars fans are looking for a good omen for the Jaguars in their game this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts, maybe this is one that stands out.

"Per the team’s weekly game release, “Since Head Coach Doug Marrone took over in 2017, the Jaguars are 3-1 against the Colts and have outscored Indianapolis, 89-39, including two shutouts (6-0 in Week 13 of the 2018 season and 27-0 in Week 7 of the 2017 season). Over the last three seasons, the Colts have only been shut out twice in 41 games, both of which came against the Jaguars.”"

With a rested roster and the team returning from the bye week the healthiest it has been since the start of the season, this might be the start of a playoff run for Jacksonville. The Jaguars are 4-5 and sit at the bottom of the AFC South ladder. If the team is going to make it to the postseason, wins against the Colts and Tennessee Titans next week are mandatory.

The Colts need this win as well, having hurt their playoff chances last week in the loss to Miami. Indianapolis has one of the better offensive lines in the NFL, which will challenge the Jaguars pass rush on Sunday. Jacksonville’s offense should look different this weekend with Nick Foles under center and Dede Westbrook back in the lineup at slot receiver.

Our staff here at Black and Teal had a chance to sit down with Ryan Stano of Horseshoe Heroes, FanSided.com’s site for everything to know about the Colts for a question and answer session about today’s game. Here’s what he had to say.

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How has Jacoby Brissett matured this season as a starting quarterback in the NFL? What makes him better than he was in his first season with the Colts?

[Jacoby] Brissett does a good job of not trying to do too much. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. The Colts have done a good job of calling plays that highlight his skill set as well. That’s also what is part of what’s helped him more than the first season he started. It also helps that the team around him is much better than it was in 2017.

Who has been the biggest surprise on your team, good or bad, this season?

Adam Vinatieri. Everyone knew age would eventually catch up to him, but it’s been uglier than anyone thought it would be. He has been the worst kicker in the league and it hasn’t been close. Hopefully, he isn’t the Colts’ kicker for much longer.

What makes Marlon Mack such an effective running back?

[Marlon] Mack is a patient runner. He waits for holes to open before he explodes through them. He’s elusive enough where once he gets through, he is hard to bring down one-on-one. Mack needs to get the ball more often late in games.

Which player should the Colts dread more, a healthy Nick Foles or the power running of Leonard Fournette?

They shouldn’t really dread either, but probably [Leonard] Fournette just because he has a lot of potential. His talent has never been questioned, but his ability to stay healthy has been a problem. The Colts defense has done a better job stopping the run this year, but Fournette does have the ability to shorten the game if he gets going.

The Colts win on Sunday, If…

If Jacoby Brissett is the quarterback. Brian Hoyer was absolute trash last week and cost the team the game with his bad decisions. Brissett doesn’t make bad decisions, so as long as he is healthy they should be able to win this game.