Jacksonville Jaguars can’t keep up with Colts and lose 15th straight game

Jacksonville Jaguars lost their Week 17 matchup: Rinse and repeat.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made it difficult for fans to root for them in 2020. Although they played competently at different points of the season, they have been blown out by opposing teams in recent games, and their Week 17 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, which they lost 28-14, brought more of the same.

This Jacksonville team quickly found itself into a hole and allowed the Colts’ offense to rack up 173 total yards in just the first quarter. In fact, running back Jonathan Taylor had 72 rushing yards in Indy’s first drive alone. Up 7-0, the Colts then kicked a 22-yard field goal that gave them a 10-0 lead.

Trailing 10-0, the Jaguars allowed sacks in back-to-back plays early in the second quarter and quarterback Mike Glennon fumbled the ball in the second one. Indianapolis capitalized on the turnover and scored on a one-yard touchdown by Taylor.

Leading 17-0, the Colts didn’t take the foot off the pedal and nailed a 24-yard field goal. Throughout the first half, the Jaguars’ offensive line had a hard time protecting Glennon and gave up three sacks. Unfortunately, their pass protection issues would continue in the second half.

Just before the second quarter ended, Glennon threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. The Colts then try to kick a field goal but their attempt wasn’t good and the Jaguars went into halftime trailing 20-7.

How did the second half go for the Jacksonville Jaguars?

Early in the third quarter, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner gave the Colts their fourth sack of the season. However, the Jaguars didn’t let that deter them and they scored on an eight-yard touchdown reception by Shenault, his second one of the year and his fifth one in 2020.

Down 14-20, Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard intercepted a pass Rivers intended for wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. Neither team went on to score for the remainder of the third quarter and the score stayed the same up until Taylor scored his second touchdown of the day with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter. Rivers then threw a two-point conversion to Hilton that gave them a 28-14 lead.

All in all, Glennon was 26-42 for 261 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Running back Dare Ogunbowale, in relief of James Robinson, racked up 14 carries for 50 yards. Meanwhile, the Jaguars offensive line gave up six sacks and their defense allowed 273 rushing yards.

While it would’ve been nice to see the Jaguars get their second victory of the season, the fact they clinched the first overall pick in Week 16 made the loss a little bit more bearable. Watching this Jacksonville team drop their 15th game of the year wasn’t pleasant, but if they make the right coaching hiring and use their 2021 draft picks correctly, they will have the chance to quickly improve next season.