Jaguars keeping Colts in check in Week 18, lead at halftime

Divisional games are always tough. Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars are at the cellar of the AFC South, they are holding ground to an Indianapolis Colts team that is competing for a playoff spot. The Jags are leading 13-3 at halftime and if they keep playing the way they have, they might just knock out Indy of playoff contention.

The Jaguars could have made it 17-3 but wide receiver Laviska Shenault couldn’t come down with a catch on the Colts’ goal line just before halftime and they had to settle for a field goal. Up to that moment, Viska had been playing well, hauling in five receptions for 62 yards. Hopefully, the drop won’t’ come back to haunt Jacksonville.

Trevor Lawrence has had arguably one of his best games of the 2021 season. He completed his first 12 attempts and the only reason he couldn’t make it 13th in a row was that wide receiver Laquon Treadwell couldn’t hold onto the ball in on a 2-and-four grab. Other than that drop, Treadwell has been playing well and scored his first touchdown as a member of the Jaguars, which gave them a 7-0 early in the game.

Both the Jaguars’ offense and the defense are doing their job in Week 18.

The Jags are also getting good production from Marvin Jones. He has moved the chains several times and has caught five receptions for 80 yards. The defense is also doing its job. They stopped the Colts on 4-and-2 in their first drive and have limited their offense to one field goal. Defensive tackle Adam Gotsis made the stop in the fourth down and has given Indy’s offensive line fits. Outside linebacker Josh Allen has logged two sacks.

The area where the Jags have stood out the most has been on third downs. They already got 14 and haven’t turned the ball over even once. Moreover, they have punted the ball just once.

Had the Jaguars played the way they are in Week 18, they might have been able to win a few more games in 2021. Having said that, they need to focus on the task at hand, keep their foot on the pedal, beat the Colts, and finish the year on a strong note.