Jacksonville Jaguars: Recipe for victory in Indianapolis
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars are playing the Indianapolis Colts in another must win game on Sunday. Here is a simple recipe for a Jaguars victory.
The Jacksonville Jaguars travel on Sunday to play the Indianapolis Colts. Once again, the Jaguars are in a must-win situation. Jacksonville needs to win the game to keep its claim on first place in the AFC South. Jacksonville comes into the game with bitter taste after losing to Los Angeles at home. The Jaguars have struggled to win at home in recent years. Currently, they have routed three teams away from EverBank Field.
The Colts have played this season without their superstar quarterback Andrew Luck. Due to shoulder surgery, he probably will not be cleared to play anytime soon. Jacoby Brissett will be starting his sixth game since being traded from New England. Indianapolis has a season record of 2-4 while Jacksonville is 3-3. So, what do the Jags need to do to beat their division rivals?
The first ingredient is a heavy dose of Leonard Fournette. He has ignited the Jaguars power running attack this season. Not only is he moving the chains, but has ripped touchdown runs of 90 and 75 yards. Fournette limped off the field last week and is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report. He says that he will play, however.
Second in the recipe is a mixed bag of passing. Blake Bortles should be able to throw against the Colt’s secondary. Indianapolis is giving up nearly 300 passing yards per game. Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee must vertically stretch the field to allow Marcedes Lewis to run open across the middle. Lewis caught three touchdown passes in London, but has been quiet since. Bortles will be able to spread the wealth on Sunday.
The final ingredient is an overwhelming amount of pressure on Brissett. Jacksonville leads the NFL in sacks with 23. Also, they lead the NFL in interceptions with 10. If the Jacksonville front seven control the run and the secondary smothers the receivers, the Jaguars will pressure cook the Colts offense in the same way they did in Pittsburgh.
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Expect the Jaguars to return to their winning ways on Sunday. Lessons were learned in the loss at home last week. This team is too talented to lose this game. After all, it is an odd numbered week for the Jaguars.